
Use it in shrub borders, mass planting, as a focal point, and as a border plant. It has a mounded habit and is resistant to deer. This deciduous shrub has a garden height of ten to twelve inches and a spread of eighteen to twenty-four inches. In the spring, it may produce a small amount of bright pink flowers. It has deep burgundy-purple colored leaves. The Midnight Wine Weigela is grown for its foliage. It also may produce a small amount of pink blooms in the spring.
WEIGELA FLORIDA MIDNIGHT WAVE FREE
This dwarf thorn free Weigela is easy to maintain and resistant to deer. Planted for its foliage, the deep burgundy leaves, paired with its mounded habit makes it a perfect addition to any landscape. Companions such as peonies, delphinium, iris, spirea, and rhododendron will bloom at the same time as weigela for a stunning spring show.This weigela is the perfect accent plant and makes a stunning mass planting. Plant a gold-leafed weigela next to a blue-flowered hydrangea for a dazzling summer display. A burgundy-leafed form will stand out when planted next to a ‘Blue Star’ juniper or ‘Golden Charm’ cypress. Plant a variety with exceptional foliage color at the end of a pathway to draw your eye through the landscape.Ĭombine with other plants that will complement the foliage and flowers.Create a hedge along your property line with a larger variety that will fill in to create privacy.Mass a low-growing, spreading variety along a slope for a quick-growing groundcover.Plant small to medium-sized varieties along your home’s foundation where they won’t become overgrown and obstruct window views.Mass a dwarf variety along a pathway as a low-growing hedge and keep neatly clipped for a formal effect.Combine a dwarf specimen with small perennials or conifers in a decorative container by your home’s entryway for a welcoming display.Use gold or variegated forms to brighten up lightly shaded spots.There are many ways to incorporate this easy-care shrub into any landscape. Deer resistance:ĭeer will leave weigela alone for the most part, though extreme conditions can result in deer grazing on plants they wouldn’t otherwise. Fungal diseases can include powdery mildew, botrytis, twig blight or leaf spot. Possible insect problems include aphids, spider mites, mealybugs, or scale. Healthy specimens are virtually free of pests and diseases. Once established, weigela need little to no supplemental water, unless the climate is exceptionally hot and dry. Mulch with several inches of organic matter to add nutrients, suppress weeds and conserve water. Amendments & fertilizer:Īpply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring around the root zone according to package instructions. Weigela grows best in moderately acidic to slightly alkaline soil, with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5. In late winter or early spring, trim out no more than one-third of the oldest branches at the base.

Larger mature specimens benefit from the removal of older branches to rejuvenate the plant. Dwarf varieties need little, if any pruning. Prune back to a healthy set of lateral shoots, which will allow for vigorous growth and flower buds for next season. Since weigela blooms on the previous year’s growth, any other pruning and shaping should wait until after spring flowering. Remove any dead branches in early spring when the shrub is starting to leaf out. On this page: The Basics | Planting | Care | Choosing the Right Weigela | Pictures | Landscaping Tips

Hardy in many regions of the US, breeding breakthroughs have resulted in newer cultivars with different colors, increased vigor, and compact sizes that are suited for smaller yards. With a wide range of foliage colors-from creamy variegation to nearly black-and an array of sizes, there’s a suitable variety for nearly any landscape need.Ī member of the honeysuckle family, weigela is native to parts of Asia, and was first imported to Europe in the 1800s. The tubular-shaped flowers, which come in various hues, are especially attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies. This old-fashioned deciduous shrub, which bears profuse clusters of flowers in spring, is virtually carefree, save for a bit of pruning and watering. Photo: Proven Winners.įor sheer romantic charm, few ornamental plants rival the character and beauty of weigela.
