Weigela florida Shining Sensation™ ‘Bokrashine’
Overview
Uses: Mixed borders, foundation plantings, pollinator gardens, and specimen plantings.
Benefits: A weigela with glossy, deep burgundy foliage that looks polished all season. Pink trumpet flowers cover the arching stems in late spring, with scattered rebloom through summer, and hummingbirds visit often.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4–8
Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Life Cycle: Deciduous Shrub
Growth Habit: Mounding, Arching — full and graceful.
Bloom Color: Pink
Foliage Color: Glossy Burgundy
Mature Height: 4–5 feet
Mature Width: 4–5 feet
Bloom Season: Late spring, with rebloom in summer
Growth Rate: Moderate
Summary
Dark leaves with a shine that catches the light from spring to frost.
What sets Shining Sensation™ apart from other dark-leaved weigelas is the finish on its foliage. The leaves hold a deep burgundy tone through the growing season with a glossy sheen, so the plant reads as rich and polished rather than flat. In a mixed border it gives lighter greens, gold foliage, and pale flowers a dark backdrop to stand against.
In late spring, pink trumpet-shaped flowers open along the arching stems, a bright contrast against the burgundy leaves. Scattered flowers often appear again through summer, extending the show past the main spring flush.
The tubular blooms are a natural fit for hummingbirds, and bees visit them as well, which makes this weigela a good choice near a patio or window where you can watch the activity.
It grows into a full, rounded mound about four to five feet tall and wide. That size suits a foundation planting, the middle of a border, or a spot on its own as a specimen shrub.
Care
Shining Sensation™ Weigela Care
Plant in full sun to partial shade. Full sun brings the darkest foliage color and the heaviest flowering; in partial shade the plant still grows well, though the leaves may carry more green and flowers will be fewer.
Weigela is not fussy about soil as long as it drains. Average garden soil works well, and the plant adapts to a range of soil types. Avoid low spots where water stands after rain.
Water deeply once or twice a week through the first growing season while roots establish. Established plants handle short dry spells, though they look their best with regular moisture during long hot stretches. A two-to-three-inch layer of mulch helps keep roots cool and moist.
Feed once in early spring with a slow release fertilizer. Plants in reasonable soil need little more than that.
Weigela flowers mainly on the previous year's growth, so do any shaping right after the spring bloom. Every few years, remove a few of the oldest stems at the base to keep the plant full and encourage fresh growth from the crown.
Size
What Size is the Shining Sensation™ Weigela for Sale Online?
Our Shining Sensation™ Weigela ships in a greenhouse-grade grow pot and is appropriately sized for its container at the time of shipment. Plants ship dormant or near dormant in the off-season, so they may arrive with few or no leaves. If you have specific sizing or planting questions, please contact us.
How Large Does Shining Sensation™ Weigela Grow?
Expect about 4 to 5 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide at maturity, in a rounded shape with gently arching stems. Space plants about 4 to 5 feet apart for an informal hedge or group planting.
Additional Information
What are some common names for this plant?
It is most often sold simply as weigela, and the species is also known as old-fashioned weigela.
Does it attract hummingbirds?
Yes. Weigela's tubular, trumpet-shaped flowers suit a hummingbird's long bill, and the birds visit regularly during the late-spring bloom. Any summer rebloom gives them a few more chances to stop by.
Is Shining Sensation™ Weigela deer resistant?
Deer browse weigela only occasionally, but it is not one of the most reliably avoided shrubs. Where deer pressure is heavy, protect young plants through their first winters, or look through our Deer-Resistant Shrubs and Evergreens for options deer tend to skip.
How is it different from other dark-leaved weigelas?
Many burgundy weigelas have a dull leaf surface. Shining Sensation™ was selected for its glossy foliage, which keeps the plant looking crisp and reflects light in a way matte leaves do not. It sits in the mid-size range, larger than the dwarf dark weigelas and smaller than the older full-size types. For more flowering shrubs, see our Shrubs & Bushes.
