Landscape Design With Weigela: Where It Fits
Weigelas have several uses in the residential landscape. They serve effectively as a freestanding shrub in a spacious lawn, or at the corner of the property. Planted among other shrubs at the back of a garden bed or along a building, weigelas provide a good green backdrop for summer annual and perennial flowers when their spring bloom season is past. Planted about 2 1/2 feet apart in a row along a drive or property line; they make an attractive hedge.
Planting a row of them? Learn the problems of weigela, like scale and twig blight, so you catch them early.
How Much Space to Give a Weigela
Most weigelas grow 7 to 8 feet tall and spread almost as wide. Plan for that. Dwarf forms stay at 4 to 5 feet, which suits a foundation planting or a small bed. Weigelas grow fast, and unpruned branches turn coarse and rangy, so leave room to reach in and prune after bloom.
Sun matters more than soil. Weigelas flower best in full sun and manage in very light shade. A weigela with plenty of leaves and no flowers is usually short on sun or overfed. Most types do well in zones 5 to 9, from mid-Florida north to about New York City.
Which Weigela to Pick for Your Spot
There are many weigelas to choose from. Pick by the job the shrub has to do:
- Small spaces: 'Java Red' stays smaller than most and has dark red flowers.
- Color after bloom: 'Variegata' has leaves edged in yellow, with pink flowers.
- Part shade: 'Eva Supreme' handles partial shade well.
- Cold yards: 'Venusta' is the hardiest weigela.
- Big flowers: 'Conquerant' has the largest blooms, rose colored.
Variegated types like 'My Monet' sometimes send up stems with plain green leaves. That's the plant reverting. Cut those stems out to keep the color.
Weigela as a Spring Accent and Summer Backdrop
Weigela puts on its show in late May or early June. The trumpet-shaped flowers come in deep pink, red, white or rose and last 10 to 14 days. Some types bloom with the lilacs. After that, the shrub turns into a plain green background, which is why it works behind summer annuals and perennials.
The flowers draw hummingbirds. Weigelas also resist pollution, so they're a fair choice near a busy street or driveway. They drop their leaves in fall, so don't count on one for winter screening.
Weigela Works Best With Room and Full Sun
Give a weigela space to spread, a sunny spot and a job that suits its size. Full-size types make good specimens, hedges or a backdrop at the back of a bed. Dwarfs fit smaller beds.
Ready to plant? See Planting Weigelia for timing and hole prep, then Caring For Weigelia for pruning after bloom.
