The weigela is a genus of plants from the honeysuckle family (bot. Cprifoliaceae). So there are quite a few different types of this beautifully flowering shrub, which originally comes from East Asia.
Weigela 'Snowflake' has snow-white flowers
What they all have in common is the uncomplicated care. Since the weigela are also non-toxic, they are well suited to family gardens. They feel just as comfortable in romantic cottage gardens as in parks or in the company of noble roses. The flower colors range from the very rare pure white to light and golden yellow and pink to bright carmine red.
The essentials in brief:
- possible flower colors: white, light yellow, pink to crimson
- Flowering period: May to June
- Growth: upright or overhanging
- suitable for: farm, flower and rose gardens, parks
- hardy
Interesting facts about the flowering of the weigela
Most weigela flowers bloom in late spring or early summer. But they absolutely need a sunny location for this, because weigela do not bloom in the shade.
Even in partial shade, the flowers are less lush than in the sun. If your weigela is in the right place, you can often look forward to the so-called second bloom in autumn, a second bloom that you can support with targeted pruning.
Which weigela are particularly interesting?
While gardeners' tastes or preferences vary greatly, there are some Weigela's that are very particular. These include, for example, the golden weigela with its golden yellow flowers or the rare pure white flowering variety "Snowflake". If you attach particular importance to the color of the leaves, then the variegated weigela (Nana variegata) may be more suitable for you.
The dwarf weigela "All Summer Red" stands out with a particularly long flowering period. It shows its vermilion flowers continuously from May to October, while most other varieties only bloom until June and show a small rebloom in the fall. You can also cultivate dwarf weigela in tubs with appropriate care.
Interesting Varieties:
- Bristol Ruby: crimson flowers, golden yellow to light brown autumn foliage, height: 2 to 3 m
- Gold Weigela: golden yellow flowers with orange spots, height: 1.2 to 1.5 m
- Nana variegata (Buntblättrige W.): delicate pink flowers, light-edged foliage, height: 1.5 to 2 m
- Purpurea (Rotblättrige W.): dark pink flowers, brown-red, gradually greening foliage, height: 1 to 1.5 m
- Snowflake: rare pure white flower, height: 1.5 to 2 m
- Dwarf Weigelia "All Summer Red": vermillion flowers from May to October, height: 50 to 75 cm
tips
All varieties of weigela need a sunny location and enough space for the desired abundance of flowers.