Weigela florida

The 'Wine & Roses' Weigela is a shrub that offers one of the most spectacular contrasts in the garden. It captivates with its unique marriage of incomparably rich, dark foliage and a brilliant pink bloom. This shrub combines dramatic, season-long beauty with great ease of cultivation, making it an undeniable star in modern landscapes.

Characteristics

• Foliage: It develops dense, glossy, deciduous foliage. Its colour is its main asset: a purple-burgundy so dark it appears almost black, maintaining this intense hue all season.
• Flowering: In late spring and early summer, the shrub covers itself in a profusion of trumpet-shaped, bright pink flowers. These vibrant blooms create a striking contrast with the dark foliage. A lighter bloom often occurs sporadically later in the season.
• Light: It demands full sun to develop its darkest foliage colour and most abundant flowering.
• Habit: It forms a shrub with a bushy, rounded habit that is dense and well-branched.
• Growth: With a medium growth rate, it reaches a height and spread of 1.2 to 1.5 m (4-5 feet).
• Moisture: It prefers average moisture conditions.
• Soil: It thrives in rich, well-drained garden soil but is very adaptable.
• Hardiness: Very hardy, it faces Zone 4 winters without any problem.
• Watering: It requires regular watering during its first season to establish a good root system.
• Resistance: It demonstrates good resistance to deer.

Uses

• Types of Use: Its colourful impact makes it perfect as a standalone specimen, in a mass planting for dramatic effect, as a medium-sized hedge, or in a mixed border.
• Ornamental Features: The contrast between the dark foliage and pink flowers is its main advantage, offering powerful visual interest throughout the growing season, far beyond just the blooming period.

Care

• Watering: Water regularly during the first season to establish a good root system. Afterwards, moderate watering is sufficient.
• Fertilizing: Apply a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer in early spring, before new growth appears.
• Pruning: Prune the shrub to shape it immediately after its main spring bloom. This will not affect the following year's flowers.
• Planting: Choose a location in full sun to maximize the intensity of its foliage colour.
• Winter Protection: No special protection is generally required in Zone 4, but a mulch at the base can help young plants.