Weigela pink princesses outdoor planting and care

Description

general description
Weigela - ornamental shrub with dense leafy shoots, characterized by abundant and long flowering, spectacular flowers, often blooms again. Weigela flowers are large, tubular-bell-shaped or funnel-shaped, of different colors, white, cream, pink or red, their color may change during the flowering process; located singly or collected in inflorescences. Weigel leaves are elliptical or ovoid, green, soft, velvety, many varieties of weigel are distinguished by unusual leaves - white-bordered or purple. The fruit is a bivalve capsule with numerous small, angular, often winged seeds.

Weigela blooming (W. florida). Rounded, fast-growing shrub up to 2-3 m in height and width with numerous shoots. The branches of the blooming weigela are few, bend and hang down. Numerous, light or dark pink flowers of plants are collected in complex umbrellas. Blooms in late May - early June for 20 days. In nature, flowering weigela grows in Primorye, Japan and North China.

Weigela florida Pink Princess - a sprawling shrub with drooping shoots and up to 1.5 m high and the same width. Annual growth is 20cm. Blooms profusely in May-June, flowers are pale pink, bell-shaped up to 4 cm, collected in inflorescences of 3-4 pcs. Re-bloom in August-September. Leaves are green, oval, pointed. Loves sunny places, fertile drained soil with a pH of 6-6.5.
Frost resistant. Pruning after flowering is recommended every 2-3 years, light shelter for the winter, planting in places protected from the wind.
Application: in single and group plantings, to create free-growing hedges, in rabatkas and mixborders.

Location: photophilous, achieve better development in open, well-lit places. Some species tolerate slight shading and develop well under the canopy of transparent crowns. Flowers and leaves are easily damaged by the wind, so it should be planted in sheltered places, especially from northerly winds. In the shade, weigels bloom weakly, the maturation of seeds and lignification of the shoots are delayed.

The soil: demanding on the soil. The soil mixture is made up of humus or leafy soil, sand and sod land (2: 2: 1). It grows well on loose fresh soils, but blooms poorly on waterlogged soils.

Landing: the distance between the bushes is not less than 1.5-2m, preferably 2.5-3m. Planting depth 50 - 60 cm, root collar at ground level. The dimensions of the pit are 50x50 cm. Planting is best done in the spring with three-year-old seedlings. With an autumn transplant, there is a very large mortality; in the fall, seedlings can be buried in an inclined position, covering most of the crown with earth. Drainage is required, a layer of sand and gravel 15 cm.

Care: in early spring, a complete mineral fertilizer is applied over the snow to improve the condition of plants after winter low temperatures: urea, superphosphate, potassium fertilizer (20, 10 and 10 g / m2); the second top dressing in early June - during the formation of flower buds: double superphosphate and potassium sulfate - 30 g per bush or 1 sq. m. In the spring, watered abundantly during drought and if the winter was little snow and severe frosting of the shoots was noted. The rate is 8-10 liters per bush. Loosening is carried out after watering and when the soil is compacted after removing weeds; the trunk circle (with a diameter of at least 2 m) is kept loose at a depth of 5-8 cm. Mulch with sawdust with a layer of up to 10 cm. In spring, frost-damaged shoots are removed annually. Pruning is carried out once every 2 - 3 years. The best pruning time is right after flowering ends. For the winter, after leaf fall, the bushes are tied up and bent to the ground. In winters with little snow, the varieties are covered with spruce branches, tarn, lutrasil.

Protection against diseases and pests: aphid. You also need to protect against rodents.
Treat with one of the following solutions: 0.2% solution of anabasine sulfate or 0.4% nicotine sulfate with soap solution, 0.2-0.3% trichlormegaphos, or 0.2% karbofos , or 0.3 - 0.5% chlorophos. You can use extracts of makhorka, hot pepper, onion, garlic.

Reproduction: seeds. They retain good germination for only one year. Sowing is carried out in the spring without preliminary seed preparation. You can sow in pots at home, covering them with foil or glass. Seedlings are friendly. After the appearance of the second pair of leaves, the seedlings dive. Thickened crops are thinned out. The one-year seedling of early weigela has one stem, reaching a height of 6-7 cm. It has 3-4 pairs of leaves, axillary and apical buds. The cotyledons fall off in early September. The stem does not branch. The diameter of the root system is 3-5 cm. For growing, it is recommended to take the boxes into the garden in spring and place them under trees with a thin crown. A two-year-old seedling is 40-50 cm in height. The fibrous horse system grows strongly superficially. Flowering begins at 4 years old. In all weigels, the bush grows due to tillering from the root collar. In some plants, the appearance of abundant stem growth is noted. Seeds collected from garden forms and hybrids give heterogeneous offspring. Therefore, the varieties are best propagated vegetatively: with winter and summer cuttings. Green cuttings are best done in mid-June, before the budding begins.

Plants propagated by summer cuttings bloom for the first time at the age of two. On green cuttings, young shoots are taken, starting only slightly woody. Leaves are cut completely or 1 / 2-1 / 3 of the leaf blade. The cuttings are placed in water for 1-2 hours, then treated with growth stimulants, for example, heteroauxin (150 mg / 1 l of water) for 12 hours in a dark room at a temperature of 20-25 ° C. A green stalk is cut one internode long with two pairs of leaves. The cut is made with a sharp knife: the upper one is above the upper sheet cushion, the lower one is under the base of the lower sheet cushion. In weigel, the lower cut is made straight, since they have an opposite leaf arrangement. Green cuttings are planted at the beginning of the second decade of June in a mixture of peat and sand. Above is a layer of washed river sand (3-4 cm). The stalk is immersed to a depth of 1 cm, covered with plastic wrap. Water it 2 times a day. This gives 100% rooting. In order to form a good crown, it is recommended to break off the first buds.

Winter rooting cuttings are cut in April. They are cut under the bud before the leaves bloom. The length of the cutting is 15-22 cm, the diameter is up to 1 cm. Rooting is carried out in pots filled with a mixture of turf and sand. The cuttings are treated with a growth substance. The rooting rate of winter cuttings is much lower.After a month, the rooted cuttings are pinched, then fed with a mullein (0.5 l of slurry per 1 m2) or mineral fertilizers (30 g of superphosphate and 25 g of ammonium nitrate).

Usage: versatile: these are clumps on the lawn, single plants on the edge or under sparsely standing trees with an openwork crown, undersized varieties are suitable for rocky areas, tall weigels are effective in hedges.

If you have about a dozen plants at your disposal, then they can be placed in the form of one or three groups, depending on the species or varietal diversity and compositional solution of the site. In one group, it is recommended to plant 3-5 copies, picturesquely placing them on the lawn. A group should consist of plants of the same species or variety, harmoniously combined in color of flowers, in shape and size of bushes, in terms of flowering. It is recommended for plants planted in groups to arrange a common near-stem circle, which must be mulched. If the group is loose, then the space between the bushes of weigels is planted with perennials: hosta, astilbe, ferns, which will decorate the garden throughout the summer.

Mixed plantings combine weigels with other shrubs, for example, undersized barberries, cotoneaster, Wangutta and Argut spireas, Japanese quince, Buldenezh viburnum, and also among conifers - moss, cypress and others. Single copies of weigela are spectacular. on the parterre lawns at the front entrance to the house or at the gate.

Many gardeners in Russia prefer to plant deciduous ornamental shrubs in their summer cottages, bringing a zest to the entire appearance - this is weigela... Planting and caring for the presented shrub does not require special physical costs and time.

However, like any plant, this decorative beauty should also be looked after according to the rules, which should be carefully considered and determined for yourself, and whether you can cope with the task at hand.

Weigela shrub: species and varieties

The genus weigela has about 15 species, but only varieties that perfectly take root in the dacha plots of Russian citizens are subject to consideration. These include:

Weigela early - by the name of this variety, it can already be assumed that the flowering of the bush begins in early spring. Indeed, the beauty of flowers can be admired already at the beginning of May. However, there is a small drawback in the presented variety -

flowering period takes no more than 25 days

... The bush itself reaches almost 2 meters in height and has a large number of leaves, and then flowers of a pale pink color. A distinctive feature of this variety is its gray bark. In most cases, it is used as a hedge.

Weigel Middendorf - is used by gardeners much more often, since this shrub reaches a height of only 1.5 m, and

its flowering occurs 2 times per season, lasting at least 30 days at a time.

It has flowers of light shades - from creamy white to yellow with small orange veins on the petals.

Weigela blooming - this variety is distinguished by its maximum height. With free growth, flowering weigela can reach 3 meters in height. The flowering shrub begins in May-June and takes

not less than 30 days

... The flowers have an attractive pink tint with a white center.

Weigela Nana Variegata - can reach a height of 1.5 meters. Shrub pleases with variegation

in June-July

... The flowers are collected in inflorescences and have pale pink or deep pink hues. The peculiarity of the presented variety is the variegated color of the leaves, which adds great attractiveness to the variety.

Weigela Nana Purpurea - a miniature shrub, reaching a length of only 1 m.Pink and white-pink flowers appear in late May or early June and can survive with proper care

more than two months

... The presented variety of weigela is frost-resistant and quite tolerates even the harsh winters of Russia, but in the presence of insulation material.

Weigela Korean - reaches a height of no more than 1.5 meters and has inflorescences of buds in the form of bells. Their shade changes its color as it grows. At first, the petals are white, but after a few days they acquire a rich pink color. The presented variety of weigela is more used as a hedge, which does not require special and careful care. The Korean variety is not used to decorate the suburban area, since

its flowering time does not exceed 15 days

.

Weigela profusely - the shrub grows quickly and reaches a height of more than 3 meters. Flowering for these representatives begins in May, but

does not last more than 1 month

... A feature of the variety is the loss of bright color. If the rest of the varieties at the beginning of flowering have pale shades, and only later become more saturated, then the abundantly flowering weigela first has a bright red tint in the flowers, which are replaced by a pale pink color.

When self-planting the described plant, it is recommended to fully study all features of care and further conditions of stay during the wintering period.

Not all varieties can survive until spring in the severe frosts of Russia. Sometimes even thorough insulation does not give positive results.

Flowering and types of weigela, video:

Weigela photos:

weigela in landscape design

photo weigels florida

planting and caring for the weigela

photo of blooming weigela

Weigela: planting and care in the open field

Self-cultivation of weigela requires compliance with the basic rules that can help to achieve the maximum beauty of the shrub in the shortest possible time. All plant care is concluded in three stages: planting, growing, shelter for the winter to preserve.

Each of the stages contains its own characteristics, in which novice gardeners make mistakes. Of course, they do not lead to sad consequences, but the very fact of the absence of flowering, which follows most often in such situations, is significantly depressing and saddening.

General information on bush care

Before delving into the details of plant care, you should consider its main parameters. TO basic rules for caring for a weigela of any kind include:

• shrubs require good lighting, only some varieties are ready to grow in partial shade;

• an excess of moisture is dangerous for a plant;

• the soil must have medium acidity for further productive flowering;

• weigela should be regularly fed in compliance with the characteristics and parameters depending on the variety.

Even a novice gardener can observe the listed aspects. Making mistakes from the listed aspects can lead to the death of the plant, if resuscitation measures are not taken.

About caring for weigela, video:

Correct fit of weigela

Start off care for weigela follows already at the stage of its disembarkation. This process must be carried out in the spring in April, when the soil has already thawed. In some regions, planting is carried out in May, since there are protracted winters and the soil is frozen for a long time.

Novice gardeners often make the mistake of planting a seedling in the fall. Despite the large size of the seedlings, they often cannot stand the winter. And even no precautions and insulation helps in this case.

As for the soil, it should be:

• loose and permeable;
• stagnation of water should not form in it;
• the soil must be pH neutral.

Take special care when choosing a place. It is necessary to plant shrubs in places protected from the wind, with a small hill and good lighting. Without lighting, the flowering of weigela will not begin, and a strong wind will lead to the fact that the flowering buds will fall off prematurely.

Land in the following sequence:

1. Prepare the soil if it does not meet the basic requirements for shrub growth. At a high level of acidity of the soil, a liming procedure should be carried out - scatter slaked lime and dig up the area.
2. Now you should choose the right seedling at the time of purchase. To do this, make sure that the young shrub is healthy, without visible damage to the bark of the trunk and branches, as well as with no decayed roots. It is better to purchase three-year-old seedlings.
3. Before planting, drainage should be laid in the prepared holes. Dig holes 50x50 cm in size, about 40 cm deep. Place broken brick or gravel in the hole with a layer of at least 15 cm.
4. Mix the soil with which you will subsequently bury the roots of the seedling with potassium salt and superphosphate in the amount of 40 g and 60 g, respectively. This is necessary so that the roots do not burn on contact with the fertilizer.
5. Before planting the weigela, it is necessary to treat the roots with a solution designed for the rapid rooting of the seedling in the hole. Often they can be purchased at the nursery where the seedling itself was selected.
6. The roots of the seedling are well straightened, laid on the created drainage, sprinkled with pre-prepared earth and compacted well. Then the seedling must be watered well.
7. The final stage of planting weigela requires mulching the soil - laying out a layer of suitable free-flowing material of natural origin. Chopped bark or sawdust work well here. The radius of the filled soil should be at least 50 cm, the layer itself should be at least 10 cm.

If you are planting several seedlings, which is done much more often, then observe the distance between plantings. Low-growing varieties are planted at a distance of 1 m, and tall varieties of shrubs - at least 2 m. Immediately after planting, the conditions and rules for caring for the plant must be observed.

Proper care for weigela

Immediately after disembarking, the weigela requires careful maintenance., which consists in regular watering as the soil becomes dry and loosening to the depth of the bayonet of a standard shovel. Every time before loosening, the material used for mulching is removed and then a new one is laid.

In the first 4-5 years of shrub growth after planting, such care must be carried out twice per season. In the future, such procedures will be reduced to a minimum.

Proper care of the presented ornamental shrubs implies regular feeding. In the first two years after planting, there is no need to carry out such procedures. There is enough of the complementary food that was carried out even before disembarkation.

In subsequent years, the bush is fed in accordance with the following scheme:

• In early spring, it is necessary to equip the soil with nitrogen-containing fertilizers.
• During the period of bud formation, potassium sulfate is used, which promotes lush flowering.
• The last feeding is carried out after flowering or before wintering in September-October. Any potash fertilizers are also used here.

Sometimes weigela needs to be transplanted. This may be required during the period of abundant growth of shoots or in order to change the place of cultivation. It is better to replant the shrub in the spring, since the roots of this plant are especially vulnerable and any change in dislocation can harm the plant.

Weigela transplant in autumn may end sadly. The roots will not only not take root over the winter, but will also die.

Correct pruning of weigela

Weigela should be pruned in the spring. During this time, damaged, dead or frozen branches can be removed in order to root the growth of young shoots. To do this, remove old shoots and cut off new ones, leaving the two lower ones.

Pruning the weigela in the fall is not recommended., since in most cases new shoots remain to grow, which may not survive the cold winter.

If you leave the shrub in its original form for the whole winter, then the strengthened branches will perfectly protect new shoots, which will lead to their further fastening in spring and summer.

If pruning was required in the fall, then the basic rules should be followed. It should also be noted that the purpose of the presented process is to prepare the shrub for winter. A certain insulation technique may require the correct shape of the bush, which is what gardeners do by removing branches and shoots.
How to prune a weigela in the fall:

Pay attention to this material - Ornamental shrubs for cottages and gardens.

Prune the shrub to form a crown by trimming it to the required length using a slanting pruner. Make sure buds remain on the shoot.

1. Before wintering, you can remove very old and dried branches. This is done practically at the roots themselves, leaving no more than 10-15 cm of the shoot.
2. Keep an eye on your shrub and do not allow free growth, as this can provoke any problems in the normal growth of the weigela.

Shrub pruning, video:

The correct shelter for the winter weigels

Many gardeners make a characteristic mistake, because they do not know exactly how to cover weigela for the winter.

You will be interested in this article - Hydrangea: planting and care in the open field.

• Firstly, back in the month of October, when there is fallen leaves, the shrub must be covered with it to a height of about 20 cm.

• Secondly, it is necessary to make sure that the snow that has fallen subsequently becomes an excellent protector of the plant. To do this, the branches are connected together and tied with twine. When tying, it is necessary to tilt the bush down. You can also build a special wooden frame structure so that the snow cannot bend new branches.

• Thirdly, if there are little snowy winters in the region, the entire bush should be covered with any insulation material that is purchased in specialized stores.

You should not be afraid if the bush is frozen over the winter. Even if the buds did not appear during the period set for flowering, then at the end of summer, most likely, the variegation of colors will envelop the weigela.

Reproduction of weigela

It is better to propagate the presented ornamental shrub using green cuttings. It is necessary to separate them even at the stage of "defrosting" of the weigela, until new buds appear - the period from April to May, depending on the variety. Separate the cuttings with a pruner, creating a straight cut and separating about 10-15 cm with two leaves.

After separation, the cuttings are treated with a special solution to stimulate root growth according to the instructions given.

Further, the cuttings are kept in a dark room at a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius for 12 hours. At the end of the time, they must be planted to a depth of half a centimeter in a sand-peat mixture, sprinkle the planting site with sand and cover with polyethylene. Roots appear only after a month, but transplant weigela to a new place is possible only after a year and a half.

Weigela is practically not exposed to pests or diseases. An exception may be infection from other plants growing in the summer cottage.

Observing all the above features of self-cultivation of this ornamental shrub, you will never wonder, why does not weigela bloom... Indeed, it is often the failure to comply with the basic norms and principles of plant care that leads to such dismal results.

Serious mistakes often lead to the death of the entire bush, so if you notice any unpleasant and negative changes in the growth of the weigela, take appropriate measures.

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Weigela is a genus of deciduous shrubs belonging to the honeysuckle family. In nature, there are about 15 species of these shrubs; they mainly grow in East and Southeast Asia. In Russia, in the south of the Far East, there are three types: Weigela early (Weigela praecox), Weigel Middendorf (Weigela middendorffiana) and Weigela is nice (Weigela suavis).

Weigela flowering (Weigela florida)

In culture, as often happens, these plants began to spread from the West, where they appeared at the end of the 19th century and got their name in honor of the German professor of chemistry and botany von Weigel (1748-1831). Since then, weigels have gained immense popularity among Western European gardeners.

Twice a year - from mid-May to mid-June and from late August to late September - weigels are strewn with flowers.Of course, the re-flowering is not as lush as in early summer, when the shrub is completely covered with red, pink, cream, white or yellow bell-flowers. Moreover, the color changes: the flowers that have just opened are pale, but gradually they become bright.

Landing weigela

Weigela prefers sunny areas or weak partial shade. The flowers and leaves of the plant can be easily damaged by the wind, so you need to choose sheltered places for it.

It is better to plant weigela in spring, using three-year-old seedlings. The distance between the bushes should be at least 1.5–2 m, preferably 2.5–3 m. The root collar is not buried, leaving it at ground level. The depth and width of the planting pit is 50 cm. During autumn planting, seedlings take root poorly, many die. Therefore, if you bought plants in the fall, it is better to dig them in an inclined position until spring, covering most of the crown with earth.

Weigela grows well on fertile, loose soils, but does not tolerate waterlogging. The soil mixture is made up of humus or leafy soil, sand and sod land (2: 2: 1). Drainage must be placed at the bottom of the planting pit - sand and gravel with a layer of 15 cm.

Weigela care

The soil in the near-stem circle of the plant should always be loose. Therefore, after each watering and during weeding, the soil is loosened by 5–8 cm. To facilitate this regular procedure, the circle can be mulched with sawdust or peat, the layer thickness is up to 10 cm.

If the winter was little snow and the shoots were very frozen, in the spring the plants are watered abundantly (8-10 liters per bush). The same is required in hot dry weather.

In early spring, even in the snow, a complete mineral fertilizer is applied: urea, superphosphate, potassium salt (20, 10 and 10 g / m2). When flower buds are formed, weigela is fed a second time - with double superphosphate and potassium sulfate (30 g per bush or 1 sq. M). After fertilizing, the plants must be watered abundantly.

Every spring, frost-damaged shoots are removed from the weigel. Rejuvenating pruning is done once every 2-3 years, removing old shoots. The best time to prune is right after flowering ends. In order for the plant to bush well, young shoots are shortened by half the length.

Weigela Korean (Weigela coraeensis)

Reproduction of weigela

Seeds

The seeds retain good germination for one year. Sowing is carried out in the spring without preliminary seed preparation. You can sow in pots at home by covering them with foil or glass. Seedlings are friendly. After the appearance of the second pair of leaves, the seedlings dive. Thickened crops are thinned out. The one-year seedling of early weigela has one stem, reaching a height of 6-7 cm. It has 3-4 pairs of leaves, axillary and apical buds. The cotyledons fall off in early September. The stem does not branch. The diameter of the root system is 3-5 cm. For growing, it is recommended to take the boxes into the garden in spring and place them under trees with a thin crown. A two-year-old seedling is 40-50 cm in height. The fibrous horse system grows strongly superficially. Flowering begins at 4 years old. In all weigels, the bush grows due to tillering from the root collar. In some plants, the appearance of abundant stem growth is noted. Seeds collected from garden forms and hybrids give heterogeneous offspring. Therefore, the varieties are best propagated vegetatively: with winter and summer cuttings. Green cuttings are best done in mid-June, before the budding begins.

Cuttings

Plants propagated by summer cuttings bloom for the first time at the age of two. On green cuttings, young shoots are taken, starting only slightly woody. Leaves are cut completely or 1 / 2-1 / 3 of the leaf blade. The cuttings are placed in water for 1-2 hours, then treated with growth stimulants, for example, heteroauxin (150 mg / 1 l of water) for 12 hours in a dark room at a temperature of 20-25 ° C. The green stalk is cut one internode long with two pairs of leaves. The cut is made with a sharp knife: the upper one is above the upper sheet cushion, the lower one is under the base of the lower sheet cushion.In weigel, the lower cut is made straight, since they have an opposite leaf arrangement. Green cuttings are planted at the beginning of the second decade of June in a mixture of peat and sand. Above is a layer of washed river sand (3-4 cm). The stalk is immersed to a depth of 1 cm, covered with plastic wrap. Water it 2 times a day. This gives 100% rooting. In order to form a good crown, it is recommended to break off the first buds.

Weigela 'Pink Princess'

Winter cuttings for rooting are cut in April. They are cut under the bud before the leaves bloom. The length of the cutting is 15-22 cm, the diameter is up to 1 cm. Rooting is carried out in pots filled with a mixture of turf and sand. The cuttings are treated with a growth substance. The rooting rate of winter cuttings is much lower. After a month, the rooted cuttings are pinched, then fed with a mullein (0.5 l of slurry per 1 m2) or mineral fertilizers (30 g of superphosphate and 25 g of ammonium nitrate).

Work calendar

January February March.

Compaction of snow near plants to protect against rodents. Shaking off wet snow to prevent branches from breaking.

April.

Pruning frost-damaged branches. Landing. Processing and mulching of near-trunk circles. Abundant watering. The first fertilizing with mineral fertilizers (preferably in the snow). Sowing seeds in open ground.

May.

Seedling picking, plant protection from late spring frosts; fuming, spraying. Watering. Processing of near-trunk circles. Weed weeding.

June.

Green cuttings. Removal of overgrowth. Weeding, loosening, watering, fertilizing with complex fertilizers. Protected from pests and diseases.

July.

Formative crown pruning. Removal of faded inflorescences. Care of seedlings and cuttings. Spraying seedlings and seedlings against pests and diseases. Top dressing with mullein solution (1:10).

August.

Cutting care, feeding, watering, weeding.

September.

Planting and transplanting, processing and mulching of trunks. Continue caring for seedlings and rooted cuttings.

October.

Collecting fallen leaves and removing it from the site. Bending branches to the ground for better wintering. Mulching near-trunk circles for the winter with a thicker layer of peat or dry oak leaves. Shelter for seedlings. Collecting seeds.

November.

Layout of rodent baits.

December.

Compaction of snow near the trunks. Shaking off wet snow from bushes. Inspection of shelters, revision of garden tools and materials.

Weigela japonica

Using weigela in garden design

In the design of the garden, Weigels are used in a variety of ways: these are clumps on the lawn, single plants on the edge or under sparsely standing trees with an openwork crown, low-growing varieties are suitable for rocky areas, tall weigels are effective in hedges.

If you have about a dozen plants at your disposal, then they can be placed in the form of one or three groups, depending on the species or varietal diversity and compositional solution of the site. In one group, it is recommended to plant 3-5 copies, picturesquely placing them on the lawn. A group should consist of plants of the same species or variety, harmoniously combined in color of flowers, in shape and size of bushes, in terms of flowering. It is recommended for plants planted in groups to arrange a common near-stem circle, which must be mulched. If the group is loose, then the space between the bushes of weigels is planted with perennials: hosta, astilbe, ferns, which will decorate the garden throughout the summer.

Mixed plantings combine weigels with other shrubs, for example, low-growing barberries, cotoneaster, Wangutta and Argut spireas, Japanese quince, Buldenezh viburnum, and also among conifers - junipers, cypress trees and others. Single copies of weigela are spectacular. on the parterre lawns at the front entrance to the house or at the gate.

Weigela garden (Weigela hortensis)

Weigela species

Weigel Middendorf (Weigela middendorffiana). Deciduous shrub 1–1.5 m high with ascending shoots. The leaves are bright green, pubescent along the veins on both sides.Sulfur-yellow flowers with orange spots and dots, single or collected in 2-6 on common peduncles. It blooms twice a year, in spring and autumn. In our climate, the duration of flowering is 25-30 days. They are used in single and group plantings on the lawn, along the edges, under trees with an openwork crown.

Weigela Japanese (Weigela japonica) - shrub up to 1 m tall. Leaves are elliptical or ovate, 5-10 cm long, crenate-serrate, pointed at the apex, slightly pubescent. The flowers are bell-funnel-shaped, 2-3 cm long, carmine in three-flowered inflorescences. Slightly pubescent outside. The fruit is a capsule. Seeds are winged. In the middle lane, it can freeze under cover.

Weigela is nice (Weigela suavis) - the species is common in Primorye, Sakhalin, the Kuril Islands. It is rarely found in culture. Low shrub up to 1.3 m tall. Leaves are oblong-lanceolate, bright green above, glabrous, below along the main vein with hairs, blunt-serrate. Autumn color appears by mid-September. The flowers are funnel-shaped, pink-purple on the outside and pale pink on the inside. Located at the ends of lateral shoots. The diameter of the flowers is 2.5-3.5 cm. Flowering from the second decade of May to the end of June, secondary flowering occurs from the end of August to mid-September. The fruit is a leathery-cartilaginous capsule with a spout. Seeds are flat, unevenly winged. In the middle lane, they often do not ripen.

Weigela suavis

Weigela early (Weigela praecox). In the south of the Ussuri region, in China and North Korea, weigela early grows on rocky slopes and edges. It is a flowering shrub 1.5-2 m high with a spherical crown. Drooping flowers, single or collected in 2-3 pieces on lateral shoots of the current year, are unusually effective. They are bright pink on the outside and purple-red in the buds, and sometimes white with yellow in the throat. Flowering time is from late May to June. Duration of flowering - 10-30 days. Weigela is planted early singly or in groups on the lawn. Can be used as uncut hedges.

Weigela Korean (Weigela coraeensis) - shrub up to 5 m high, or up to 1.5 m in culture, with large (up to 12 cm) bare shoots; The leaves are broadly elliptic at the apex, with a wedge-shaped base and a crenate-serrate edge. Above, the leaves are shiny, glabrous, sparsely hairy below. This species has noteworthy flowers up to 3.5 cm long, gradually changing color from pale pink to bright carmine by the time of wilting. Flowering from late May to late June is highly dependent on weather conditions. Duration of flowering from 15 to 30 days. The fruit is a capsule. Seeds with a narrow wing do not ripen in central Russia. Weak leaf coloration is observed in early October. Then the leaves darken from frost, but do not fall off. Shelter is needed for the winter.

Weigela garden (Weigela hortensis) is a shrub native to Japan up to 1 m high. Externally it is similar to Weigela Korean, in contrast to which it has abundant flowering of pinkish-carmine flowers in three-flowered inflorescences. Flowers develop at the ends of the shoots and in the axils of the leaves of short shoots. Leaves are ovate, less often obovate, up to 10 cm long, on short petioles, 2 - 5 cm long. The shape of the flower is tubular-bell-shaped, with almost equal and sharp lobes. The fruit is a capsule. Seeds with a narrow wing. Abundant flowering is observed in the third decade of May and continues until early July. Requires shelter for the winter. With age, the frost resistance of the plant increases significantly.

Weigel Maksimovich (Weigela maximowiczii) - shrub, low up to 1.5 m. The leaves are almost sessile, pubescent, 4-8 cm long, obovate or oblong-ovate, pointed at the apex. Flowers 3.5 cm long, pale yellow, funnel-bell-shaped. Located on short shoots, 1-2 pcs. The fruit is a capsule. Seeds with a wing. In the middle lane it blooms from the second half of May to mid-June. The seeds ripen by mid-October.

Weigela maximowiczii

Weigela blooming (Weigela florida) - shrub up to 3 m tall, crown diameter 3.5 m. Bright green leaves in autumn remain on the branches for a long time. The flowers are large, tubular, 2.5–3 cm long, dark pink at the edges and pale pink or white inside, darken when wilted. They are collected in small inflorescences on short lateral shoots. They bloom, as a rule, in the third decade of May - early June. This species is widespread in Europe, its garden forms are distinguished by different leaf colors. Here are the most interesting ones:

• Weigela blooming 'Purpurea' (Weigela florida 'Purpurea', 'Foliis Purpureis') is a shrub from 1 to 1.5 m tall, with a dense crown about 2 m in diameter. Leaves are elliptical, brown-red, 6–8 cm long. Flowers are dark pink with yellow the middle, contrasting with the leaves. Blooms in June-July. Grows slowly, hibernates with shelter.
• Weigela blooming 'Alba' (Weigela florida ‘Alba’) - the height of the bush is 3 m, the diameter of the crown is about 3.5 m. The flowers are white, turning pink when flowering. Leaves with white dots.
• Weigela blooming 'Variegata' (Weigela florida variegata) - the most graceful and frost-resistant form with small leaves. The height of the bushes and the diameter of the crown are 2–2.5 m. The flowers are up to 3.5 cm in diameter, intense pink, collected in a brush.

Weigela middendorff (Weigela middendorffiana)

Weigela hybrids

Weigela hybrid (Weigela hybrida). Under this name, several varieties of hybrid origin are combined, differing in the color of flowers and leaves. In horticulture, hybrid forms are used more often than wild species.

• ‘Bristol Ruby’ (‘Bristol Ruby’). The height of the bushes is 2.5–3 m, the crown diameter is up to 3.5 m. The flowers are ruby-red at the edges, sometimes with an orange-red center. Blooms in June-July, grows rapidly.
• ‘Gustave Mallet’ (‘Gustave Mallet’) - obtained by crossing flowering weigela and Korean weigela. Shrub up to 2.5 m tall with large, up to 5 cm in diameter, pink-carmine flowers with a wide white border. Blooms in late May.
• ‘Debussy’ (‘Des-boisii’) is a hybrid of garden weigela and weigela abundantly flowering, with small dark carmine flowers. The height of the bush is 2.5–3 m. One of the early flowering varieties - blooms in early May.
• ‘Eva Rathke’ (‘Eva Rathke’) - bred in Poland by crossing the Korean Weigela and the abundant flowering Weigela. The bush is low (0.7–1 m), compact. The flowers are red-carmine, tubular, shiny. Blooms in June-August, grows moderately fast. In our climate, it hibernates with shelter.
• ‘Feerie Lemoine’ (‘Feerie Lemoine’) is a bush up to 1 m high, flowers are large, light pink.
• ‘Rosea’ (‘Rosea’) is a hybrid of flowering weigela and Korean weigela. The height of the bush is up to 1.5 m, the crown is spreading, with large pink flowers. It tolerates winter well, only a small shelter is required (usually foliage is used).

Weigela 'Nana Variegata' (Weigela 'Nana variegata') is a dwarf variety with white variegated leaves. The flowers are white-pink or crimson, collected in inflorescences of 3-4 pieces. It grows slowly. Recommended for rocky gardens.

Weigela 'Costeriana variegat‘ (Weigela ‘Kosteriana Variegata’) - undersized form with yellow-bordered leaves.

Weigela ‘Siebold argenteo-marginata’ (Weigela sieboldii argenteo-marginata) - with white-bordered leaves and pink flowers. In central Russia, these forms need to be grown with shelter for the winter, and in the south, you can do without shelter.

Weigela ‘Kosteriana Variegata’ (Weigela japonica ‘Kosteriana Variegata’)

Weigela varieties

Such new varieties are popular abroad as:

• Candida - tall bush with white flowers
• Styriaca - with pink flowers 2.5 cm long
• Newport Red - a tall bush with bright green leaves and large carmine-red flowers
• Mark Tellier (Marc Tellier) - shrub up to 3 m high with very large, up to 5 cm in diameter, carmine pink flowers
• Pierre Duchartre - with dark brown flowers.

Weigela early (Weigela praecox)

Weigela protection from diseases and pests

Aphids - treated with one of the following solutions:

• 0.2% solution of anabasine sulfate
• 0.4% nicotine sulfate with soap solution
• 0.2 - 0.3% Trichlormegaphos
• 0.2% karbofos
• 0.3 - 0.5% chlorophos

You can use extracts of makhorka, hot pepper, onion, garlic.

Weigela

Is a deciduous shrub of the honeysuckle family that can effectively decorate your garden. Weigela will delight with pink, red, cream, yellow and white flowers-bells twice a year - in spring and at the end of summer.It is noteworthy that the color of the inflorescences during flowering is not the same: the newly opened corollas are pale, but gradually they gain strength and become brighter.

Weigela. Variety Red Prince

Landing weigela

The best time for planting is March-April. During the autumn planting, the seedlings do not have time to take root and die, so if you purchased the plants in the fall, you should not rush - wait until spring. Dig in the weigela in an inclined position and cover the crown with earth. When buying, ask about the age of the plant - specimens that are more than 3.5 years old adapt well to new conditions.

Choose your planting area carefully. Weigela is photophilous, warmth and an abundance of the sun are prerequisites for full development. Leaves and flowers are easily damaged by the wind - the planting site must be reliably protected from the northerly winds.

The shrub prefers loose, fertile soil, does not tolerate compaction and waterlogging of the soil. The soil should be loosened regularly, preferably after each watering. If this is not possible, then cover the ground with peat or sawdust.

At the bottom of the planting pit 50 cm deep, lay out gravel and sand (layer thickness - 15 cm), plant the bushes at a distance of 3 m from each other. At the same time, do not deepen the root fossa. The soil mixture should include sand, turf and humus in a 2: 2: 1 ratio.

Reproduction of weigela

The most common way of breeding weigela is

grafting

... Wood cuttings are ineffective, and the results will have to wait for a long time - 5 years, therefore, propagation with the help of

green cuttings ... It is better to carry it out before the onset of the budding, i.e. in April-May. The length of the cuttings is 10-12 cm. Make a straight cut, leave two leaves on the cuttings.

 

After treatment with a growth stimulant - "Heteroauxin" (150 mg / l of water), the shoots are left in a dark room at a temperature of + 20 ° C for 12 hours. Then they are planted for rooting in a sand-peat mixture, sprinkled with sand and covered with plastic wrap. Planting depth - 0.5 cm. Water the plant twice a day. Roots appear on the 25-40th day. It is recommended to transplant to a permanent place after 1.5 years.

Weigela can also be propagated by seeds. No preliminary preparation of the source material is required. Plant the seeds in boxes filled with sand and fertile soil. The superficially sown seeds are sprinkled with sand and covered with glass. Wait for shoots in 3 weeks.

Weigela care

For better growth, the bushes are systematically pruned, diseased and dry branches are removed. The best time for sanitary pruning is spring or early summer. Areas with wilted flowers are shortened, and the cut sites are treated with garden varnish (can be found commercially).

Young Weigela needs your care:

• For the winter, wrap the bushes with kraft paper or modern covering material - spunbond.
• Sprinkle the trunk circle with spruce branches or dry foliage. These simple activities will help the plant to withstand severe frosts.
• If after winter the plant is very frozen, then abundant watering will correct the situation (10 liters of water per bush). The same becomes imperative in hot weather.

 

Mature shrubs require much less attention:

• In the spring, after heavy snowfall, shake off the snow from the branches. A frame made of wooden slats, carefully installed in the fall, will help prevent the deformation of the bush under the weight of the snow.
• In winters with little snow, weigelu is covered with lutrasil or tar paper.
• The soil is fed twice a year. The first time - in early spring, the second - during the formation of buds, in early June. Potassium sulfate, double superphosphate, urea are used for this.
• When the first signs of bacterial damage to the leaves appear (yellowish, purple lesions, premature fall, white bloom on the upper side of the leaf), a mixture of milk of lime and copper sulfate (Bordeaux liquid) is used.Will get rid of rot and rusty spots "Topsin", which irrigates the bush (during the growth period, a 1% solution is used, before bud break - 3%). Infusions of bitter pepper, garlic, wormwood, potato tops are effective against pests.

Weigela species

1. Weigela early (W. praecox)

Leafy shrub with gray bark, reaching a height of 2 m. The flowers are lowered, pink in color. Blooms in May. The flowering time is 15-25 days. Looks advantageous in the form of uncut hedges.

 

2. Weigela Middendorf (W. middendorffiana)

A plant with ascending shoots 1.5 m high. Flowers are creamy white or yellowish with an orange center. It blooms 2 times a year (in autumn and spring) for 30 days. It is used in group and single plantings on the edges, under trees, on lawns.

 

3. Weigela blooming (W. florida)

A shrub with bright green leaves, which persist even in winter, grows up to 3 m. Large tubular flowers, collected in small inflorescences, are pink at the edges, and white inside. This species of weigela blooms in May - early June.

 

4. Weigela Korean (W. coraeensis)

Reaches a height of 1.5 m. The bells, located in semi-umbellate inflorescences, are first white, then pink, and then acquire a rich carmine hue. Blooms in early June, flowering duration - 10-15 days;

 

5. Weigela abundantly flowering (W. floribunda)

One of the fastest growing species, reaching 3 m in height. The lowered flowers are first red, and then lose their intensity and become light pink. Blooms in May.

 

It is better to place plants in groups of 3-5 copies, which are combined in the color of the corollas, the size and shape of the bushes and coincide in terms of flowering. The space between shrubs can be planted with ferns, astilbe or hosts.