Weigelas

Weigela is an easy flowering shrub grown for trumpet-shaped blooms in pink, red, or white that appear in late spring, often with a lighter repeat later in summer. Many selections also offer burgundy, gold, or variegated foliage.

Compact varieties stay around two to three feet, while full-size types reach five to six feet.

Weigela flowers are a favorite nectar source for hummingbirds and are also visited by bees and butterflies. The bloom period lines up with the return of hummingbirds in many northern areas.

Planting weigela near a window or patio makes the visits easy to enjoy.

Weigela blooms best and keeps the richest foliage color in full sun. It tolerates light shade but flowers less and dark-leaved types may fade to green.

Average, well-draining soil is all it needs.

Weigela blooms mostly on old wood, so prune right after the main spring flowering. Remove a few of the oldest stems at the base each year to renew the plant and keep it open.

Avoid heavy pruning in late summer or fall, which removes the next year's flower buds.

Weigela is generally considered deer-resistant. Browsing is occasional and seldom serious.

It is also tolerant of urban conditions and a wide range of soils.

Weigela grows at a moderate to fast rate and usually reaches mature size within a few seasons. Dwarf varieties stay compact with little pruning.

Fast establishment makes it a good choice for new beds and foundation plantings that need to fill in.