Weigela nana variegata planting and care in the open field

Weigela is a flowering deciduous shrub, represented by 15 species and hundreds of varieties. As a result of painstaking work, breeders were able to adapt many hybrids to the conditions of the middle lane. Weigela Nana Variegata and Purpurea are considered priority for planting in the garden. These varieties are winter-hardy, relatively unpretentious, are distinguished by excellent decorativeness and livability with other landscape cultures. Having looked once at a photo and a description of these varieties, summer residents in most cases make a priority choice in their favor.

Weigela Purpurea

Nana Variegata or Purpurea: Similarities and Differences

Blooming weigela is one of the species introduced from Japan and northern China. Prefers warm sunny areas, grows well under favorable conditions. The peculiarity of the presented shrubs is that they bloom twice a season. The first wave occurs in May, June or July. Repeated flowering, as in the Virginia mock-orange, occurs at the end of August or September, but it is not so exuberant. The main advantage of flowering representatives in comparison with wild plants is the rich color of the petals.

Weigela Nana Variegata is a slow growing flowering cultivar. The buds appear on the shoots of the last year. The height of an adult bush reaches 1-1.5 m, diameter - 1.5-1.8 m. The oblong leaves of the weigela are colored green with white or yellowish edging. The inflorescences are composed of crimson and white-pink flowers 2.5-4 cm long.

Weigela nana variegata

This instance is shade-tolerant, picky about soil moisture, and reacts poorly to waterlogging. Prefers sunny locations and fertile drained soils. The root system of the plant is resistant to overconsolidation of an earthen coma, but tolerates salinity. Pruning is carried out after flowering for 2-3 years of growth. Relatively winter-hardy, but when grown in the middle lane needs light shelter. She, like boxwood, cannot do without preparation for winter. In severe frosts, it can freeze, but in the spring it quickly grows green mass.

Decorative features of Purpurea:

1. Variety Purpurea (Purpurea) is a compact spherical bush up to 1 m in height and 2 m in diameter.
2. Leaves are brownish-red, reddish-green by autumn. In the sun, they acquire a more brown color.
3. Flowers-bells of a purple hue with a yellowish center are collected in inflorescences of 3-4 pcs. Flowering begins in June and lasts a month, then becomes more scarce, but the buds continue to appear until frost.
4. The average annual growth is 15 cm. Purpurea develops rather slowly, reaching its maximum width and height only by 5-10 years.
5. Grows superbly in a sunny area and in the shade of trees. Preference is given to fertile acidic soils.

Purpurea

The presented varieties differ from other varieties of weigela in relative resistance to adverse conditions.The shrub comes from regions with a humid and warm climate, so not many of its species are suitable for growing in the middle lane, where cold temperatures are observed in winter.

In landscape design, Nana Variegata is used in rocky gardens, as part of a multi-tiered flower bed. Nana Purpurea is grown in beds, compound beds or as a living fence. If shrubs are used as hedges, they do not need to form due to the correct crown shape. From Purpurea, excellent flowering hedges are created, provided that the seedlings are placed at a distance of 2 m from each other.

Weigels are placed in the foreground or in the center of garden compositions. At the same time, shrubs look good as single plants. An interesting ensemble is obtained from both varieties planted side by side on the lawn. For presentability, some gardeners supplement it with a tree peony; planting in the open field is usually successful. It is possible to cultivate the Purpurea variety in pots and boxes, decorating balconies and verandas.

What plants are the presented varieties combined with? It can be:

• barberry,
• forsythia,
• cotoneaster,
• spirea,
• chubushnik,
• garden hibiscus, the care of which is not so difficult;
• Japanese quince and other deciduous plants.

The composition on the site is complemented with juniper, western thuja, cypress or boxwood.

Neighborhood with hydrangea and marigolds

Growing rules Variegata and Purpurea in the Moscow region

Winter hardiness of ornamental weigela bushes is relative. This thermophilic and moisture-loving plant lends itself to growing in the middle lane, but only certain knowledge will help the gardener keep the bush intact and safe for several years. In the climatic conditions of the Moscow region, it is more difficult to care for the plant than in the southern latitudes, but periodic feeding and careful shelter for the winter will help it grow successfully in this region.

In order for the bush to take root, you need to fulfill several requirements:

• seedlings are planted on a hill;
• a prerequisite is a large amount of light;
• it is necessary to provide for the size of an adult bush so that neighboring plants do not interfere with development.

How to plant a purchased seedling correctly?

Weigela planting on a site in the middle lane is carried out in April. The soil should warm up a little by this time. Autumn planting is also allowed, but in warm latitudes. Shrubs planted in the middle lane in the fall, for the most part, do not take root well or even die. The optimum age of the seedling is 3 years.

The growing area should be well lit, although light partial shade is allowed.

The best place in the garden is on the east side. The site must be protected from the north wind, as the fragile branches of the weigela may suffer. It is not recommended to plant seedlings in lowlands, where they will freeze. In the middle lane, where there are strong spring frosts, it is advisable to place the weigela in partial shade.

Rooted sapling

These varieties prefer nutrient soils with an acidic reaction. The soil must simultaneously allow moisture to pass through and retain it. The introduction of high-moor peat when planting will help to improve the moisture-absorbing properties.

Planting works:

1. The distance between seedlings is at least 1.5-2 m.
2. The depth and width of the planting pits is 50 cm.If the soil on the site does not suit the requirements for the weigela (alkaline, heavy), then the planting hole is expanded to 1 m in diameter, filling the bottom with a drainage layer of rubble and sand 15 cm thick.
3. The soil mixture for filling the planting pit is prepared from humus (2 parts), sod land (1 part) and sand (2 parts).
4. The seedling is carefully rolled into the hole along with a lump of earth, all the roots are straightened. Then sprinkle with soil so that there are no voids left.
5. The root collar must remain at ground level. After planting, the trunk circle is watered abundantly.
6. When the soil settles, add some more substrate.
7. The trunk circle is mulched with peat bedding or foliage to retain moisture.

Caring for long-term growth

Growing and caring for Purpurea and Variegata is not particularly difficult. All that is required from the grower is not to overmoisten and not overdry the soil, loosen the area, remove weeds, feed and cut the plant in time.

Video why weigela does not bloom.

Rules for caring for shrubs in the open field:

1. Both presented flowering varieties are extremely sensitive to waterlogging and drought. It is necessary to ensure that the soil is always moderately moist. If the near-stem circle dries up, flowering will be poor.
2. Weigels are hygrophilous, therefore, during the dry period, one should not forget about watering. Mulching helps keep the roots from overheating. The soil around the bush is periodically covered with sawdust, peat and other mulching materials.

Fertilization is a prerequisite for active growth and bright flowering. Weigela is fed three times a season:

1. The first top dressing is applied in early spring, when there is still snow. A mineral fertilizer is added around the trunk, it can be urea or Kemira Universal (100-200 g per 1 m²).
2. During the formation of buds, the shrub will need potash fertilizers without chlorine or a complex with an equal content of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
3. At the end of summer, they are fed with potassium preparations.

The plant hibernates in the area only under cover. The bush must be tied and wrapped in a spandbond. The root system also needs protection. Before the onset of frost, the soil must be covered with a thick layer of mulch. Fir branches and fallen leaves will do. The winter shelter is removed in the middle lane in early April, when it gets warmer. Another version of the shelter is frame: the shoots must be bent to the mulched earth, arcs should be installed above them and covered with dense material.

Do you need pruning?

Weigela care involves two pruning per season. In the spring, remove all damaged, diseased and dry shoots. It happens that one of the main shoots freezes over the winter. It is removed, leaving 10 cm above the soil. A living bud is preserved at the root, which will give a new shoot. The second pruning occurs in the summer. In July, it is necessary to remove all old and faded branches to stimulate re-flowering.

Purpurea and Variegata are a scattering of delicate flowers every summer. To maintain decorativeness, they need additional attention in the form of fertilizing, watering and shelter from winter frosts.

Weigela is directly related to the honeysuckle family. This plant is represented by shrubs. The plant was named after the German Christian Ehrenfried von Weigel, who was a botanist, chemist and pharmacologist. Under natural conditions, this plant is found in the eastern and southeastern parts of Asia, in the Far East and on the island of Java. The genus unites 15 species represented by deciduous shrubs. Only 7 species and 10 varieties are cultivated, which are highly decorative. Weigela not only has a very effective appearance, but is relatively unpretentious, and it can be easily propagated.

Weigela features

The plant loves moisture and grows quite well in the shade. This upright shrub does not form stolons. Opposite petiolate leaf plates do not have stipules, they are serrate-serrate or serrate. The length of the bell-shaped or funnel-shaped flowers is about 5 centimeters. Flowers are solitary or are part of loose inflorescences. They can be painted in cream, carmine red, pink, yellow and other colors, while often during flowering, the color changes from a paler shade to a brighter one. The fruits are represented by a bivalve box with small seeds inside.

Landing weigela

What time to plant

The best time to disembark a weigela is spring.In this case, it is necessary to have time to plant the plant before the buds swell, but the earth should already warm up, in which case it will take very well. The shrub planted in the fall dies during the first wintering.

It is best to choose a place for planting on a hill, while it must be protected from drafts and north winds, which can cause shedding of flowers and buds. Better to plant the weigela on the south side of the building. In good light, the flowers are very bright and the flowering is plentiful. For planting, you need loose soil with a lot of humus. Loamy or clayey soil, neutral or slightly alkaline, is suitable. It should be borne in mind that weigela middendorff (Weigela middendorffiana) can be planted in peaty, slightly acidic soil. The planted seedling must be at least 3 years old.

How to plant

The depth of the landing pit is from 30 to 40 centimeters. If the soil is infertile, then the pit should be made deeper, because on the drainage layer (height 15 centimeters), which can be made from gravel, fragments of brick or sand, a layer of nutrient-rich soil should be laid (1.5 buckets of compost plus 100 grams of nitrophosphate ). Fertilizer should be thoroughly mixed with compost. In order for the seedling to begin better, its roots can be treated with a substance that stimulates root growth (Viva + or Radifarm).

If the weigela seedling is of a medium-sized variety (no higher than 100 centimeters), then a distance of at least 80 centimeters should be left between the bushes, the gaps between the bushes of high varieties (height up to 250 centimeters) should be from 150 to 200 centimeters. During planting, do not forget to straighten the roots of the seedling, the soil will need to be gradually poured into the hole and tamped in order to exclude the possibility of voids formation. It is possible to deepen the root collar by only 10–20 mm, but it is desirable that when the soil settles after watering, it is at the same level with the ground. The planted plant must be well watered, and the surface of the soil must be sprinkled with a layer of mulch.

Weigela care

Spring

Growing such a shrub is easy, and even a beginner can handle it. It is necessary to water the weigela only during the dry period, while a large amount of water is used (if the near-trunk circle is mulched, then watering will be more rare). You also need to do timely weeding and loosening of the soil, which is performed very carefully with only half the bayonet of the shovel, otherwise the root system can be damaged. You also need to feed the plant in a timely manner, while if you added nitrophosphate and compost during planting into the hole, then the bush will not need feeding for 2 years. In the third year, at the beginning of spring, weigela needs to be fed, for this, a complete mineral fertilizer is applied to the soil, for example: diammofoska, ammofoska, Kemiru-lux or other fertilizers, which include potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen. In the last days of spring or the first - summer, during budding, it is necessary to make a second top dressing, while you need to take phosphorus and potassium fertilizers (potassium sulfate, superphosphate, etc.). Thanks to this, the plant will bloom for a long time and abundantly, and the branches will also strengthen, which is good for wintering. The third time the bush is fed during digging in the fall, while taking wood ash (for 1 m2 you will need 200 g of top dressing). You can use Kemira-autumn fertilizer for this purpose, while the dosage should be seen in the instructions.

Bloom

This shrub blooms 2 times per season. The first lush flowering is observed from the second half of May to mid-June, while flowers appear on the shoots of the last year. The second time the shrub blooms in August and blooms until September. At the same time, flowering is less abundant than in spring, and flowers grow on the shoots of the current year. During flowering, the plant looks very impressive.

Reproduction of weigela

The plant can be propagated quite simply by seed.It should be borne in mind that their germination is maintained only for 1-2 years, therefore, experienced gardeners do not recommend sowing seeds in boxes or greenhouses. The easiest way to propagate weigela is self-seeding. In spring, when shoots appear from the seeds that have fallen into the ground, it will be necessary to select the strongest, and remove the rest. They will need to grow, which lasts 2 years, only after that they can be transplanted to a permanent place. But it must be borne in mind that with this method of reproduction, varietal traits are not always preserved. In this regard, gardeners with considerable experience recommend reproduction in a vegetative way, namely: by layering, young shoots from the stump, as well as summer green or last year's semi-lignified cuttings. For cutting cuttings, the length of which should be from 10 to 15 centimeters, you should choose this year's green shoots (cut in the last days of June) or last year's semi-lignified shoots (cutting is carried out before sap flow begins), or you can cut the root shoots. The leaf plates located at the bottom of the cuttings must be cut off, while the upper ones must be shortened by ½ part. The slice from the bottom must be dipped into Kornevin. The cuttings are planted in soil consisting of peat and sand, while its surface should be covered with a layer of sand equal to 4 centimeters. The shank must be deepened by only 10 mm, no more. Each plant should be covered with a cut plastic bottle or glass jar. The shelter needs to be cleaned every day for a while for airing and watering. The emerging young shoots need to be pinched in order for the plant to be more bushy.

Layers should be propagated in a different way. Choose the sturdiest bottom shoot and bend it to the ground. At the point of contact with the ground on the shoot, you need to cut the bark slightly. Then it is fixed on the surface of the soil and sprinkled with soil. Already next spring, the cuttings will take root completely. Cuttings and cuttings can be transplanted to a permanent place only at the age of three.

How to trim properly

Weigele, like all shrubs, needs pruning. Young bushes need pruning only for sanitary purposes. To do this, at the beginning of spring, you need to cut off those branches that thicken the plant, as well as sick, injured and damaged by frost. Older plants need formative pruning, which should be done after the weigela has bloomed for the first time (in the middle of summer), while young shoots should not yet grow. It is worth remembering that during the re-flowering, flowers appear on the shoots of the current year. In this regard, if you did not carry out the formative pruning in time, and new branches began to grow, then it is recommended to postpone it until next year. Adult shrubs need rejuvenating pruning, carried out once every 3 years, while all branches that are more than 3 years old need to be cut off, and those that remain should be cut off by 1/3. In some cases, it may be necessary to prune all branches; after this pruning, the weigela recovers very well.

Diseases and pests

Often leaf-eating caterpillars and aphids settle on this shrub. During a long period of heat and drought, thrips or spider mites can settle on the plant. However, by the beginning of the drought period, the first flowering of the weigela is already ending. In order to destroy these harmful insects, it is recommended to use pesticides such as nitrafen, rogor or celtan, but it should be borne in mind that they are harmful to the environment. There are more harmless means for controlling harmful insects - these are insecticidal infusions made from plants such as hot pepper, wormwood or garlic.If the planted seedlings turn yellow and begin to fade, then this is most likely due to the fact that a bear has started up in the root system or the larvae of the May beetle have settled. They could get into the ground along with compost or humus during planting. To destroy them, it is necessary to water the bush with a solution of actara or karbofos.

Weigela most often suffers from gray rot, rust, and spotting. In order to get rid of a fungal or bacterial disease, you need to treat the bush with Bordeaux liquid (copper sulfate mixed with milk of lime). For preventive purposes, you can treat the plant during the appearance of leaves with Topsin's solution (3%).

Weigela after flowering

Seed collection

The seeds ripen in September and are harvested in October after the capsules begin to crack. In order for the seeds not to spill out on the surface of the soil, it is necessary to wrap several pieces of testes with gauze in September and fix it on the branch. After the box is ripe, you need to carefully cut it and bring it into the room. There you can remove the gauze and sprinkle the seeds onto a newspaper. After the seeds are dry, they need to be poured into a paper bag, on which do not forget to mark the name of the plant, its variety and the date when the seeds were collected. They must be placed in a dark, dry place where they will be stored until spring. It should be remembered that seeds retain good germination only for 1–2 years, while shrubs grown from seeds may not retain the varietal characteristics of the parent plant.

Wintering

After the end of leaf fall (in the last days of October or the first days - November), you need to cover the near-trunk circle of the shrub with a layer of soil, while the height of the mound should be from 15 to 20 centimeters. It is recommended to bend the branches to the soil surface and fix them. From above, the bush is covered with spunbond or roofing felt, while the shelter is pressed so that it is not blown away by the wind. You can not bend the branches, but tie them with twine or rope, pulling them well. Fence the plant with a plastic or metal net. It is necessary to pour dry fallen leaves inside the resulting structure. On top, the structure must be insulated with a covering dense material.

Main types and varieties with photos and names

For mid-latitude gardeners, weigela varieties are most suitable, which are resistant to frost. These include the species and varieties described below.

Early weigela, or weigela pleasant (Weigela praecox)

In natural conditions, it grows in the Far East. The bush reaches a height of about 200 centimeters. There is pubescence on the foliage surface. The crown is spherical. The outer part of the flowers is deep pink. Inflorescences consist of 2 or 3 flowers, while they grow on the lateral shoots of this year. It happens that the pharynx of a flower has a white-yellow color, in the buds the flowers are painted purple. Flowering begins in the last days of May and lasts from 10 to 30 days. The variegated variety of weigela variegated is of the greatest interest. On the surface of the green leaf plates there are specks of yellow color, in the summer they acquire a cream color.

Weigela flowering, or weigela florida (Weigela florida)

The bush reaches a height of 300 centimeters. There are 2 rows of hairs on the surface of the shoots. Short-petiolate serrated leaf plates on the front side have pubescence located along the central vein, while on the seamy surface all veins have pubescence. The inflorescences consist of 3 or 4 flowers, painted in a deep pink color, which open in the last days of May. Flowering lasts approximately 20 days.

Popular forms:

1. Weigela purple, or weigela red (Weigela Purpurea). The height of the bush is about 150 centimeters, there is a lush crown.The leaf plates are brownish-red in color, the bright pink flowers have a yellow throat. Bloom is observed in June and July. Nana Purpurea is very similar to weigela purple, but the shrub is smaller.
2. Alba. It is a dwarf form. White flowers turn pink during wilting.
3. Variegata... This form is very beautiful and the most frost-resistant. Has small leaves. The racemose inflorescences are composed of deep pink flowers.
4. Weigela pink (Weigela florida Bunge)... The outer surface of the flowers is carmine pink, while the inner surface is almost white.
5. Weigela florida Victoria... The height of the bush is about 100 centimeters. The foliage is brownish red, and the flowers are purple in color.

Weigela hybrid (Weigela hybrida)

Has a spreading crown, lush flowering. The height of the bush is about 150 centimeters. Fragrant flowers have a funnel-shaped tubular shape, they can be part of loose inflorescences or be single. Depending on the variety, the color of the flowers can be pink, lilac, purple, white, violet-red.

Popular varieties:

1. Bristol Ruby... The variety appeared in 1941 in the United States. The bush can reach a height of 250-300 centimeters, while the diameter of its crown is 350 centimeters. The leaves are deep green in color. The pink flowers have ruby-red edges, sometimes their center is colored orange. This fast growing plant begins to bloom in the last days of June.
2. Red Prince... The variety was bred in the USA. A compact bush in height can reach 150 centimeters. Has a spreading crown, drooping branches. Bright red flowers look very beautiful against the background of green leaves.

Weigela middendorff (Weigela middendorffiana)

The height of the bush can vary from 100 to 150 centimeters. Ascending shoots. Large (from 3 to 4 centimeters) yellow flowers have orange spots in the throat. They are part of low-flowered inflorescences of 2-6 pieces or are single. Flowering is observed twice per season.

Also, quite often gardeners grow abundantly flowering weigela, pleasant weigela, early weigela, Japanese weigela, garden weigela, Maximovich weigela and Korean weigela.

The luxurious weigela garden shrub is an original decoration of summer cottages throughout Russia. It is especially beautiful during flowering. On its hanging shoots, many bright buds appear, collected in inflorescences. What could be more beautiful than a huge bouquet of flowers against the backdrop of a country house? Only the charming weigela.

The shrub owes its name to the German biologist K.E. von Weigel, who first discovered and described it. The plant belongs to the genus of deciduous shrubs, the Honeysuckle family. It was first discovered in the countries of the Far East, where it received universal recognition for the extraordinary beauty of the buds. The shrub tends to bloom several times per season with charming bell-shaped inflorescences.

The exquisite weigela plant prefers a temperate warm climate. Although there are frost-resistant species that can withstand Russian winters. For this, the bushes are recommended to be covered with fallen leaves or coniferous branches. But even if the shrub suffers from frost, it will recover in the warm season. Some species can bloom.

General description of the shrub

An erect weigela bush grows up to 1.5 m in height. Some species can reach about 3 m. The shrub does not release lateral shoots underground, therefore it always has an original shape. On the bent branches, a huge number of elongated leaves grows, about 12 cm long. The edges of the plate are usually with small notches, the tip of the leaf is sharp. The color is traditionally green, although some species are purple or with a white border.

Inflorescences are tubular, resembling a small funnel. There are single variants and collected in original inflorescences.

The buds bloom on young shoots, amid a large number of leaves.

There are different shades, namely:

• white;
• pink;
• purple;
• light purple;
• pinkish purple;
• red and purple.

The shoots strewn with inflorescences have a pleasant exquisite aroma that creates a unique aura at the summer cottage. A detailed description and photo of the weigela give a complete picture of the magnificent garden shrub for the summer cottage.

The shrub blooms in the last month of spring for almost a whole month. If weigela is properly looked after, you can admire the inflorescences at the end of August. Although there are not so many buds, the bush is still admirable. Flowers grow only on young branches of the current season. A picturesque picture of delicate bells against a background of lush greenery can be contemplated at the dacha during short autumn days. Autumn flowering is clearly visible in this photo of weigela, it is no worse than in summer.

A journey through the kingdom of popular types of garden shrubs

The gorgeous beauty weigela with confident steps migrated from the Far East to European countries. In 1845, the biologist and traveler from Scotland R. Fortune brought her to England, where she took her place of honor. Over time, breeders have developed various species and varieties of oriental shrubs. Today, there are more than 15 main species and about a hundred varieties of ornamental shrubs.

Weigela blooming

The species was first discovered in Japan and northern China. The shrub was introduced to Europe in the middle of the 19th century and immediately gained unprecedented popularity. Weigela blooming loves sunny or semi-shaded places and grows up to 3 meters in height. Young stems have two rows of fine hairs. They are painted brown, which eventually becomes grayish. The luxurious rounded crown of the plant fits wonderfully into the country landscape, especially during flowering.

Leaves are short-peaked with a pointed tip, usually elliptical in shape. The lateral edges are serrate. The upper part of the plate is smooth, only the main vein in the center of the leaf stands out. They are painted green.

Weigela shrub inflorescences consist of three or four buds, which abundantly cover all the greenery of the plant. They are often pink in color. They open at the end of May and bloom for about 20 days. Then seed pods appear in place of the inflorescences.

To protect the weigela from severe frosts, it is recommended to cover it with dense spruce branches.

A moist, slightly acidic soil is suitable for a plant. But at the same time, you should not allow liquid stagnation under the bush. During the dry period, the plant needs moderate watering. Otherwise, aphids will start on the weigel, which sucks the juice from the leaves and young branches. You can get rid of it by washing off the pests with a strong stream of water and soap. In favorable conditions, it grows rapidly, decorating the backyard of a country house.

In horticultural floriculture, the following varieties of flowering weigela are widely used.

Variety Carnival

Weigela carnival shrub is distinguished by the original color of the buds. At first they are pale pink, and then they take on a reddish tint. The bush grows up to 70 cm in height. The branches are decorated with an abundance of oval bright green leaves. It begins to bloom at the end of June for a month.

Nana Variegata

The plant grows up to half a meter, which distinguishes it as a compact version of garden decoration. Weigela Nana Variegata is distinguished by an unusual color of the leaf plate. The main background is soft green, and the graceful edges are yellow, which is especially attractive in the plant. The bush grows to a height of 90 cm. It takes root well in western Europe. It tolerates winter wonderfully, but does not like drafts and windy areas. It tolerates poorly lit areas. The bells, about 4 cm in size, are bright pink.

This variety of weigela needs regular spring pruning of old shoots.As a result, the shrub is constantly renewed and blooms continuously for a whole month.

Bristol Ruby

The charming weigela Bristol Ruby was bred by American scientists in 1941. Today it is one of the most popular ornamental shrubs. The plant grows up to 2.5 meters in height. Moreover, its crown can reach 3.5 m in diameter. A large number of succulent green leaves grow on graceful hanging shoots. During the flowering period, ruby ​​bells appear on them. They are collected in loose inflorescences that exude a delicate scent.

If there are few shaded places in the summer cottage, weigela Bristol Ruby can be safely planted in the sun. Unlike other varieties, it blooms better in open areas.

Weigela Alexandra

A beautifully flowering shrub with a spreading spherical crown grows up to one and a half meters in height. The sheer number of red or pink funnel bells make Alexander's weigela a particularly popular species. Bright buds attract not only the views of people, but also miniature birds with a long proboscis, reminiscent of hummingbirds. The flowering period lasts until the end of July. Again, the shrub pleases with flowers in September, if the autumn is warm enough.

Numerous leaves have a glossy surface with jagged edges. In the spring they are painted in burgundy, and in the fall they take on a purple hue.

The plant prefers partial shade or open areas of the garden. It takes root well on clay soil if it is well drained.

Weigela hybrid

This name of the shrub combines several varieties obtained as a result of the selection of popular species of Weynega. In general, they grow up to 150 cm in height, have a dense, wide crown and fragrant flowers. Weigela hybrid differs in different color of buds. It can be white or pink, purple or purple tones. Hybrid varieties are often used to decorate the landscapes of country houses.

Red prince

The compact, pretty shrub reaches a height of about 1.5 meters. Its wide, spreading crown is adorned with drooping shoots with many bright green leaves. Weigela red prince during flowering (May, June) dresses in an original outfit made of bells. They are colored crimson or scarlet. Collected in inflorescences of several buds, which resembles miniature bouquets. Flowers reappear on the shrub at the end of August or in September.

Eva Ratke variety

This hybrid was bred by Polish breeders in 1890 by combining Korean Weigela with abundant flowering. As a result, a low, only about 1 meter, shrub with a compact crown appeared. Veigela Eva ratke blooms almost all summer with red-carmine bells, which shine brightly in the sun and smell tenderly. In middle latitudes, it is advisable to cover the shrub with the onset of cold weather.

Weigel Middendorf

The deciduous ornamental shrub of the Weigela Middendorf usually grows up to one and a half meters in height. It has ascending branches with bright green, slightly drooping leaves. Yellow buds are painted with orange dots; are solitary or collected in inflorescences. The shrub blooms twice a season - in spring and early autumn. The bouquets can be enjoyed for a whole month.

Nana purpurea

Ornamental shrub has a spreading crown in the form of a ball. It grows only up to 1 meter in height and is considered a fairly compact garden plant. Weigela nana purpurea leaves are colored in an unusual brown-red color. In the sun, they are almost always brown, for which they are appreciated by gardeners.

During the period of lush flowering (June - July), weigela dresses in a bright outfit of rich pink bells. The length of each bud is about 4 cm. They are connected in inflorescences of several pieces, so they look very beautiful against the background of brown foliage.

Summer Red variety

This type of ornamental shrub begins to bloom in late May or early summer. Its main feature is continuous flowering until autumn. Weigela Summer Red is distinguished by red tubular buds, which appear in large numbers on delicate shoots. The plant does not like windy places, so it is advisable to plant it in quiet areas of the garden. Weigela grows up to 1.5 m in height, which is liked by many summer residents. With such dimensions, it harmoniously fits into any design of a suburban landscape.

Ebony & Ivory

The uniqueness of this variety lies in the power of contrast. White inflorescences stand out brightly against the background of dark leaves. Weigela Ebony and Ivory has a compact bush. The height of the plant reaches only 80 cm.The width of the crown is about 50 cm.An unusual color of leaves grow on purple shoots:

• in early spring - brown, almost black;
• in summer - green with a brown tint;
• in the fall - with a lilac tint.

On a miniature shrub, with the arrival of summer, white buds with a red base appear. In the photo, the weigela shrub is shown in all its glory in garden design.

Variety Victoria

An incredibly beautiful ornamental plant can decorate any suburban area. The compact height of about 1 meter allows you to use the bush to decorate even a small front garden. Despite its small stature, weigela Victoria has a dense crown in the form of a ball. On flexible shoots, brown-red leaves grow, which turn completely brown in the sun.

During flowering, the plant dresses up in an outfit of bright funnel-shaped bells. Often they are collected in inflorescences of several pieces, which resembles miniature bouquets. The lush beauty season lasts about 30 days. During this time, you can breathe in plenty of the heady aroma of graceful buds.

Early Weigela

In the natural environment, this type of shrub is found in the vastness of the Ussuri region, in China and North Korea. Despite this, weigela early grows well in other places. It reaches up to 2 m in height and has a dense spreading crown. Pretty leaves grow on reddish shoots. They resemble ellipses in shape with pointed tips. The side edges of the sheet plate are serrated. The upper and lower plates are slightly pubescent. Young leaves are colored bright green. When autumn comes, they turn yellow-brown.

Early weigela buds are combined into small bouquets. They, like the leaves, are slightly pubescent. Painted in hot pink. Pleasing to the eye for a whole month.

Like other species, this shrub variety can suffer from severe frosts. To save the weigela from the cold, additional cover is required. It can be made from special fabric or spruce branches.

In addition to the listed varieties of weigela, there are many other specimens in gardening. In general, there are more than 100 types of them. Each of them has its own unique crown structure, height, color of buds and foliage. In any case, by planting a weigela in a summer cottage, you can contemplate its lush flowering for a whole season.

Acquaintance with different varieties of weigela - video

The beautiful and bright flowers of weigela look very impressive in the design of the garden and it is not surprising that this flowering shrub has won the hearts of many gardeners. Weigela, planting and caring for which is not difficult, but still provide for some rules, is able to fit into any garden design, because the flower has a wide variety of shades.

Content:

general description

Weigela is an ornamental flowering upright shrub... On average, the height of an adult plant reaches one and a half meters, but some varieties can be less than a meter, while others reach three meters. It has elongated, pointed leaves with veins, the edges of which are smooth or serrate. The most common leaves are green or reddish, some varieties differ in a different color of the leaves.

The flowers are large enough, tubular or funnel-shaped. The color scheme is diverse, most often there are flowers of cream, white, different shades of red or pink. Of particular interest is the change in the color of the corolla during the flowering process.

Weigela Carnaval

Flowers are located singly or in small inflorescences. The flowers have no smell. Often, weigela blooms twice a year, it depends on weather conditions and on the correct care of the plant, however, re-flowering is distinguished by a smaller number of flowers.

An interesting feature of the ornamental shrub is that flowering begins even before the foliage appears and it looks magical - many flowers are located on the branches... This plant is often used to ennoble the garden plot, decorate it and give it a special charm. In most cases, the shrub does not tolerate frost, but some varieties are resistant to cold weather and take root well even in Siberia.

back to menu ↑ Species and varieties

Weigela has more than fifteen varieties and many species, however, in our latitudes, the most popular varieties are those that easily tolerate cold weather, for example, weigela is pleasant, it is also early.

Weigela Suavis

The shrub of this variety grows up to two meters in height, the crown is spherical, and the foliage is slightly lowered... Flowers of bright pink color are formed in inflorescences of 2-3 pieces. In some cases, the pharynx of a flower may have a white-yellow color. The flowering period of the early weigela falls on the end of May and lasts from ten to thirty days.

back to menu ↑ Variegata

Weigela Variegata Weigela variety is pleasant. A distinctive feature is bright green foliage, on the surface of which yellow spots are located, and in the summer they turn creamy.

back to menu ↑ Florida (blooming)

Weigela Florida (blooming) The bush can reach a height of three meters. The leaf is serrated. Flowers are collected in inflorescences of 3-4 bright pink flowers. They begin to bloom in late May and continue to bloom for three weeks.

Its most famous varieties:

back to menu ↑ Purpurea (Purple)

Weigela Nana Purpurea The height of an adult shrub reaches one and a half meters, has a dense crown with reddish brown leaves. The color is pink, the throat is yellow. Flowering occurs in June-July.

back to menu ↑ Alba

Alba Miniature bush. The flowers are white, which in the process of flowering acquire a pinkish tint.

back to menu ↑ Victoria

Victoria The height of the bush reaches one meter. The foliage is brownish-red in color. The flowers are crimson.

back to menu ↑ Hybrid

Differs in a wide spreading crown. Abundant flowering. The height of the bush is on average one and a half meters. The flowers are tubular-funnel-shaped, located singly or in small inflorescences.

Weigela hybrid rumba

The color depends on the variety, it can be white, purple. Pink, lilac or purple-red.

The most popular are the following:

back to menu ↑ Bristol Ruby

Bristol Ruby Sufficiently tall bushes, the height of which is about three meters, and the crown is up to three and a half meters in diameter. The color of the leaves is bright green. The flowers have an orange throat, the predominant color is pink with a darker edge. The flowering shrub falls at the end of June. Differs in rapid growth.

back to menu ↑ Red Prince

Red Prince The height of the bush is no more than one and a half meters. The crown is wide and spreading. The flowers are rich in red color, the foliage is bright green.

back to menu ↑ Middendorf

Weigela Middendorffiana

Weigel Middendorf A low shrub, its average height is one and a half meters. Yellow flowers with an orange pharynx are especially large, there are specimens of about 4 cm. They are located in inflorescences of 2-6 pieces or singly.Flowering is often observed twice per season.

The described varieties are far from all varieties, and gardeners also grow such species as weigela Maksimovich, Korean, Japanese, pink poppet, carnival, minor black, alexandra, weigelaolimpiada and others.

back to menu ↑ How to plant a plant correctly

In order for your plant to delight with its beauty for many years and give an abundant amount of magical flowers, it is very important to take a very responsible approach to the issue of planting. It is necessary to choose the time and the most suitable place for the shrub. It is optimal to plant in the spring during the period when the soil is just beginning to warm up, and the buds have not yet swollen, it is at this time that the shrub has the best survival rate.

Weigela bush in the garden

Autumn is not the best time for planting, since the bush does not have time to adapt and the very first frosts can lead to the death of the plant.

It is important to choose the right landing site. It is best to give it up if it will be a place on a small hill, which will not be exposed to winds from the north side and will be protected from drafts. Drafts can be dangerous for buds and flowers - they can simply crumble. The best location for the weigela is the south side.

Place the shrub correctly in a well-lit area, since light is needed for flowering and an abundant number of buds. The soil should be saturated with humus and have a loose structure. It is recommended to plant seedlings that have reached the age of three.

back to menu ↑ Landing in open ground

Shrub planting

Consists of several stages:

The first is to choose the right place to plant the seedling. The place should be moderately sunny or in partial shade. Do not choose too shaded places, this plant does not like shade.

If there is a border on the leaves, then such a seedling must be planted only in a sunny place, since it is a light-loving variety.

Particular attention should be paid to protection from wind and drafts. A fence, building or other shrubbery can be used as protection. If there is no protection, then gusts of wind will pluck the flowers.

After choosing a place, we go directly to planting seedlings. For this, a hole is dug about fifty centimeters deep, if the land is fertile, then intensive feeding is not required and the depth can be reduced to forty centimeters. The dimensions of the pit should be 50 by 50 cm.

If you are planting more than one seedling, then it is worth ensuring that there is at least eighty centimeters between them for a low-growing variety and at least two meters for a tall variety. It is advisable to remove weeds and roots from the site as much as possible.

The bottom of the dug hole should be filled with drainage, for this a layer of sand and gravel is used. The optimum height of the drainage layer is not approximately fifteen centimeters.

The seedling is placed in a hole and carefully filled up with the prepared mixture: two parts of sand, two parts of leafy earth or humus, one part of sod land. If the soil in your garden is not very fertile, then compost is added to the mixture, about fifteen liters per bush, and one hundred grams of nitrophoska.

Do not over-compact the soil, the roots feel more comfortable in a little loose soil. It is important that the root collar is clearly level with the ground.

If a container was used to grow the seedling, then the release of the root system from the ground is not required, planting should be done immediately with a lump. After that, you need to provide abundant watering. Next, you need to mulch along the root circle.

If you know that the survival rate of the seedling is under threat, then the plant is preliminarily treated with special agents that stimulate growth.

back to menu ↑ Plant propagation methods

Weigela is propagated in several ways:

• seed propagation
• reproduction by layering
• vegetative propagation

back to menu ↑ Seed propagation

The overwhelming majority of weigels that can be found in our regions are hybrid varieties. They differ from their wild brothers in a larger color palette, their flowers are larger, and the color of the leaves is more saturated, the color of the leaves is often purple. The disadvantages of this method of reproduction include the fact that it is not able to convey all the characteristics of the variety of the propagated plant.

Plant seeds

But there are several rules for seed propagation. The first thing to remember is that the seeds have a short shelf life and after a year they already lose their germination. It is necessary to sow seeds in the spring in special pots, in which a special mixture is placed: two parts of soil and one part of sand. A small layer of sand is poured directly.

Next, the sowing must be covered with transparent glass and placed in a warm place. It is important to air the seed pot periodically and water it carefully, and it is best to use a spray bottle for watering, which is used to spray the surface of the soil. After three weeks, the first shoots will become noticeable.

When two leaves are formed on the seedlings, you can place them in separate pots. In new containers, observe high humidity, keep the plant under a film until it begins to grow.

Weigela propagation by self-seeding is also known, but in this case it is practically impossible to plant a young seedling. This is due to the fact that self-sowing is already possible in adult plants, which require less careful maintenance; compacted soil is suitable for them, in contrast to young plants. Trying to plant a young seedling from dense soil, weak roots are injured or even break off and the plant does not survive.

back to menu ↑ Reproduction by layering

Reproduction in this way is carried out in the spring. For this, a twig is taken, which is located near the ground. It is bent a little and a small incision is made in the wood. The resulting incision must be processed with a special prepared mixture of root and activated carbon powder.

Scheme of obtaining a layering from a plant

Next, a match is inserted and buried in such a way that the resulting cut is placed in the ground. Studs or small metal arcs can be used to secure the layering. In the fall or next spring, the new plant must be cut off from the mother plant and planted in the place chosen for it.

back to menu ↑ Vegetative propagation

The best of all the options considered is vegetative reproduction., namely propagation using cuttings. If your goal is to get a large number of young shoots, then the first thing to do is to choose a strong and healthy plant with abundant flowering, which will act as a mother bush. Its main purpose is to bring the maximum amount of healthy and strong cuttings.

Initially, you need to get rid of all obviously weak shoots, they need to be cut off at the root... Strong shoots also need to be cut, but only to half. Prune as many branches as you need new plants. Shoots that grow back after pruning are much more capable of new root formation than a plant that has not been pruned.

In the process of cuttings, the upper part of the shoot is cut off only if it has not been able to ripen. The length of the cuttings is ten to fifteen centimeters.

Rooted cutting planted in open ground

The oblique cut at the bottom should be half a centimeter below the bud, all the lower leaves are cut off and specially treated with a stimulating drug.

For rooting a large number of cuttings, it is convenient to use a cold greenhouse, and if you need several cuttings, then a regular pot will do., into which drainage is poured at the bottom and covered with soil from above, and then covered with three centimeters of sand. After that, holes are made in the soil with a special wooden stick and prepared cuttings are planted in them, deepening each by four centimeters. After planting, watering with fungicide is performed, the pot is covered with a film and placed in a darkened and warm place.

Subsequent care provides for the correct watering regime and timely airing of the cuttings... With the arrival of spring, the shelter of the cuttings can be removed when the formed shoots are noticed. Such cuttings can be planted after a year and a half. During this time, it is advisable to pinch the plant several times.

The process of reproduction of weigela with lignified cuttings is quite laborious and it will be quite difficult for novice gardeners to achieve success on the first try.

back to menu ↑ Care

The mild climate of the southern regions is best suited for growing weigela... However, some varieties perfectly tolerate the climatic conditions of other regions. For example, early weigel takes root well both in the Moscow region and in the Leningrad region. But varieties such as profusely flowering, Korean or pleasant weigela require additional insulation in winter in these regions, since frosts negatively affect the plant, especially on young bushes.

Beautiful bush Red Prince

For adult plants that grow on the site for at least three years, slightly less care is required, since they are more winter-hardy. In winter, in order to avoid breakage of the branches, it is periodically required to shake off the snow from them, especially during the period of snowfall.

From time to time (not every year), the bushes suffer from pests or diseases. This affects the growth of the shoots, reduces winter hardiness and can cause the lack of flowering. To protect the plant from fungal diseases, a mixture of milk of lime and copper sulfate is used.

As a preventive measure against leaf spot or rust, the drug Topsin is used. A 3% solution is applied before the buds have blossomed, and a 1% solution during vegetation.

When to collect seeds

• At the beginning of September, the process of seed ripening begins, in November you can notice how the capsules begin to crack, it is then that the seeds should be collected.
• In order not to lose the seeds and so that they do not spill out on the ground, you need to wrap the testes with gauze back in September.
• To collect the seeds, when the time is right, the box in gauze is cut very carefully.
• Next, in the room, you need to remove the gauze layer and pour the seeds onto the paper, then dry them and then place them in a paper envelope.
• To avoid confusion, be sure to sign the envelope, indicate the name of the variety and the date of collection of seeds. After that, the seeds must be sent to a dark and dry place, where they will be stored until the onset of spring.
• Keep in mind that you can store seeds for no more than one to two years. After this time, the seeds lose their germination.

Diseases and other problems

• Weigela, like other plants, is susceptible to various diseases and can be affected by parasites. Spider mites, thrips, aphids or caterpillars can harm the plant.
• To combat these pests, there are many drugs, both biological and pesticides, that can be purchased in specialized stores.
• If you are not a fan of store products and trust only folk methods of fighting parasites, then infusions of bitter pepper, wormwood or garlic are considered a proven option; laundry soap in the form of a solution is also used.
• Fungicides are used to protect the plant or eliminate existing powdery mildew or rust.
• As prophylactic agents, solutions of epin and zircon are used, with which weigel is processed when foliar dressing is applied.

Weigela Blossoming (cultivar ‘Minuet’)

Reasons for the lack of flowering

• Sometimes gardeners are faced with an unpleasant problem - the lack of flowering. This situation can have several reasons. The first and most common reason why a shrub does not bloom is planting errors. For example, if the place was chosen incorrectly and the shrub receives less light, then the absence of flowers is the first news of problems with growth, then there may be a delay in the maturation of seeds or lumbering of the shoots.
• Often, flowers are absent due to insufficient watering and too dry soil, or due to a lack of necessary nutrients.
• Parasites can damage the root system. And plants that have root problems are unlikely to be able to fully grow and bloom.

back to the menu ↑ How to prepare a shrub for winter

In order for the winter period to pass favorably for the plant, it is important to comply with the existing rules throughout the growing season. Wintering is most easily tolerated if favorable conditions have been created for the plant: it grows in a sunny and sheltered place. Throughout the year, it is necessary to observe the watering regime in such a way that the soil is not too dry or too wet.

Preparing a bush for wintering

By the second half of summer, it is advisable to stop fertilizing, thus, the growing season will be completed before the first frost.

Before frost sets in, it is required to loosen the soil around the shrub, after it is piled up and a mound is created no more than 20 cm in height. Even if there is no suitable shelter for wintering, then these actions will help the plant to endure the cold. All leaves that have fallen in autumn must be removed for the winter, since they are a favorable environment for the development of parasites and sources of fungal diseases.

Don't overdo it with insulation. It is not necessary to insulate the bushes too early, a slight frost is good for the plant. Warming should be started only with the onset of stable frosts.

Bush after wintering

If you decide that it's time to start preparing the plant for winter, then for easy wintering of the plant, you must complete all the preparatory measures. Particular attention should be paid to young shrubs, because they are most susceptible to frost, adult plants are already more resistant to temperature extremes.

Before hilling the bush and sheltering, it is necessary to treat the near-stem part of the bush with a fungicide, this is necessary to prevent the development of fungal diseases... Also, to protect against fungus, the shelter should be carried out exclusively in dry weather and prevent moisture from entering.

Basically, gardeners use one of two methods of insulation:

Bending branches

• This method, as the name implies, involves bending the branches.
• To do this, they must first be tied, and a special material should be laid under the bush itself - spruce branches. Here, metal arcs are also used, weigela branches will be fixed on them.
• On top of the structure, we place a protective layer of spruce branches, which will act as a kind of blanket, and also cover it with a film on top to protect it from moisture.
• It is very important that the plant is reliably protected from moisture ingress. Otherwise, there is a risk of fungal diseases.

Air dry

• The first step is to install the frame, various boards or sticks are suitable for this, but here it is worth considering the height of the bush, it is convenient to use metal arched rods.
• We cover the built frame with lutrasil or spandbond. The void that forms in the process is laid with spruce branches. To protect the structure from getting wet, it is covered with a film, which is fixed with cobblestones.
• As you can see, there is nothing complicated. It is worth noting that snow acts as a natural shelter, and if there is little snow in winter, then a warmer shelter should be provided.
• After completing all the measures for wintering, in the spring you will admire a beautiful, healthy and flowering bush. Watch the video on the Weigela Ornamental Shrub and you will know everything you need to grow and care for your plant.

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