Oldfashioned weigela, Rose Weigela, Old Fashioned Weigela
Weigela florida

Family: Caprifoliaceae

What it is like

Bloom Color: Lavender, Pink, Red, White. Main Bloom Time: Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Rounded, Upright or erect, Vase.

Weigela florida is a deciduous Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft) by 3 m (9ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from May to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.

Height (m): 3

Where it is found

Not known

E. Asia - N. China, Korea.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

Plants can be grown as a medium sized hedge, the cultivar 'Folis Purpuris' is most often used.

Hedge: Plants that can be grown as hedges.

Hedge: Hedge

How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Border, Foundation, Pest tolerant, Massing, Specimen. An easily grown plant, succeeding in most fertile soils. Prefers a moist well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Tolerates atmospheric pollution. Hardy to about -20°c. Plants are very floriferous and can exhaust themselves, literally flowering themselves to death. The flowers are borne in the leaf nodes of the previous years growth and any pruning is therefore best done as soon as the plant has finished flowering. There are many named varieties grown for their ornamental value. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus. Special Features:Not North American native, Blooms are very showy.

Propagating it: Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe if this is possible, otherwise in late winter or early spring. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer. Softwood basal cuttings, 10 - 12cm long, in a sandy soil in a cold frame in early summer. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 8 - 10 cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Cuttings of mature wood of the current seasons growth. 20 cm long, November in a sheltered outdoor nursery bed.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Hedge;

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 4-8

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

W. rosea. Calysphyrum floridum. Diervilla florida.