Weigela plants are a great addition to any garden or home this year if you have a little extra room. These shrubs have become extremely popular in gardens all over the world due to their allure. Everybody falls in love with them, no matter what their delicate flowers or the attractive color combinations of their leaves are!
Find out more about these plants and how to make them happy in the following paragraphs. As a result of this article, you may want to grow more than one Weigela in your garden.
Weigela is a flowering plant genus with only 12 recognized species. Shrubs in this genus are indigenous to China, Japan, and Korea, among other places in eastern Asia. They can be found growing up to 5906 feet (1800 meters) above sea level in sunny hills, light woodlands, or mountains.
Weigela bushes are a beloved ornamental plant all over the world because of their stunning appearance and ease of care. Flowers such as these can be used in a variety of ways in a garden, such as in the foundation planting or shrub borders. However, dwarf varieties of Weigela can also be used as potted plants in the home.
On the subject of Weigela
- Plants of the Caprifoliaceae family, which includes weigela, are found throughout the world. Flowers like Honeysuckles, Snowberries, and Valerians are all members of the same family.
- The larvae of some Lepidoptera buddies, such as brown-tail moths, rely on Weigela species as a primary source of food.
- Acclaimed W. Florida cultivars W. Florida “Alexandra,” W. “Florida Variety,” W. ‘Praecox Variegata,” and W. “red prince” were awarded the Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society of London.
- Bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies are all drawn to their beautiful flowers, which attract a variety of pollinators. In addition to providing food and cover for wildlife, some of these plants provide a haven for birds.
- In the preparation of tea, the leaves of some Weigela species and varieties can be used as a flavorful ingredient. Cooked young leaves are eaten by some people.
- A wide variety of other plants benefit greatly from the presence of Weigela plants in their landscapes. Aquilegia ‘Ruby Port’, Catmint, Globe Thistle, Ornamental Onion, Purple Japanese Barberry, Russian Sage, Shasta Daisy, and Siberian Iris are some of the most common.
- If ingested or touched, these shrubs pose no danger to pets or children. Indoors or out, they’re perfectly safe to have around curious loved ones.
An Overview of Weigela’s Characteristics
- In terms of height and width, Weigela bushes can range from 18 inches to 12 feet (46 cm to 3.6 m) in height and width, depending on the species.
- The overall growth habit of these plants can be upright, arching, spreading, or mounding. Seasonally, they lose their leaves and flowers as a result of being deciduous shrubs.
- Their leaves are 2 to 6 inches (5-15 cm) long, oblong to narrowly ovate, and have slightly serrated margins. They can be shiny at times. They come in a variety of colors, from green and burgundy to gold and chartreuse.
- Flowers appear on Weigela plants in the middle to late stages of the spring season. Summer and autumn, on the other hand, bring a second round of flowering, this time with fewer blooms.
- Corymb inflorescences of 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) long, tubular, and 5-lobed flowers are produced by these bushes during their blooming period. Pink, white, yellow, and red are just a few of the many hues they display.
- The blossoms of Weigela shrubs will fade away in the fall, making way for some fruits to appear. They are tiny, winged seeds in dry capsules that are frequently used as propagation material.
Planting the Weigela
Weigelas, like many other types of shrubs, thrive in bright, direct sunlight. Plant these bushes outside where they will receive at least eight hours of direct sunlight each day. A south-facing window is an ideal location for your dwarf Weigela when you’re growing it indoors. If you live in a hot climate, your plants will benefit from afternoon shade or dappled light.
These plants can tolerate a wide range of temperatures and humidity without any problems. Regardless of USDA zone, you can grow a happy and healthy weigela shrub anywhere from 4 to 8 degrees Fahrenheit.
Even though aphids, scale insects, and spider mites don’t bother Weigela plants very often, there are exceptions. White, cotton-like spots on the foliage or tiny holes in the leaves are common indicators of the presence of these pests. Remove pests by handpicking or water spraying if you notice any of these signs. You must immediately apply a suitable treatment, such as neem oil or a natural insecticide, after this procedure.
Weigelas can be Grown
In the cooler months of spring or autumn, it is best to plant your Weigela bushes for a bumper crop. You don’t have to shock your friends with the extreme heat of summer if you’re in this situation. If you’re lucky enough to own a taller variety, you’ll need a lot of space for it to thrive. The roots and foliage of the plants should be able to grow in a large area.
Weigela plants can thrive in a wide range of soil conditions, but they perform best in those that are slightly acidic or alkaline. These shrubs can thrive in slightly moist conditions, but they need well-draining soil in order to remove the excess water from the soil and prevent disease. Make sure your plants have drainage holes at the bottom of their containers if you plan to grow them indoors.
Regular fertilization is necessary to keep these shrubs looking their best, and it’s best to do so right before new growth begins. Once a year, give your Weigela plants a balanced liquid fertilizer.
Weigela shrubs are a favorite of many gardeners, so they decide to forgo pruning in favor of leaving them in their natural state. Some cultivars, on the other hand, can spread like wildfire and spiral out of control. Prune your companions as soon as their blooming period is over if you want to keep them a certain size or shape. In order to make room for new blossoms, you can pinch off all of the old ones.
The Weigela is Watered
Weigela shrubs are a favorite among gardeners because of their stunning appearance as well as their high drought tolerance. For beginners, these bushes are ideal because they don’t require supplemental watering for long periods of time. Only those specimens that have adapted to their new environment are able to benefit from this particular trait, however.
During their first growing season, young Weigela plants will require a little extra attention from you. After you’ve planted, you’ll need to give your babies plenty of time to adjust by giving them regular, deep watering. However, once established, these shrubs will hardly ever need your attention. As a general rule, their requirements will fluctuate based on the environment and the current weather conditions.
You can only get away with growing Weigela bushes in your garden if there are regular rains to provide them with the water they need to thrive. To avoid soggy conditions or waterlogging, indoor flowers should only be watered after the soil has dried completely. Our recommendation is to water your plants more frequently during the hottest and driest summer months.
Aiming to spread Weigela
Having more weigela bushes around the house is a surefire way to improve your quality of life. Is there anything else that can make an experience even better? With friends and family, you can enjoy any experience to the fullest. Softwood cuttings in June are the best way to propagate Weigela plants, whether for yourself or a loved one.
Using a sharp, sterilized knife, cut about 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm) off of healthy newborn stems. Remove all but the top two or three leaves from each stem cutting before you can proceed. The rooting hormone should be dipped into the de-leafed sections of your Weigela cuttings if you want to get faster results.
To proceed, you’ll need to prepare a fresh growing medium with excellent drainage and place it in a container or bed. For best results, most gardeners mix soilless potting mix and perlite 50/50. Provide regular watering for your Weigela cuttings in order to keep the soil constantly moist in the substrate.
After a few weeks of good care, your tiny Weigela plants should have developed a strong root system. To test for root development, gently tug on the cuttings. If you encounter resistance, this is a good sign. When the cuttings begin to sprout leaves, it is time to transplant your new baby plants into their permanent home. When the last threat of frost has passed, however, you must wait until early spring to transplant.
Finally, I should mention that
Gardeners of all skill levels will be delighted to learn that Weigela bushes are available for purchase. Gardeners don’t have to put in a lot of work to get these plants to do well in a variety of environments. Aside from that, you’ll be smitten by the unique color combinations between their foliage and flowers. What Weigela cultivar will you choose to be your companion for the rest of your life? Please share your thoughts in the space provided.
