Growing a Wine and Roses Weigela
Growing a Wine and Roses Weigela can be a wonderful choice for your garden. Unlike other varieties of Weigela, the Wine and Roses variety has dark purple leaves, as opposed to light or medium green foliage. Blooming in the spring and summer, its beautiful medium pink flowers decorate the shrub like small trumpets, and are known for attracting hummingbirds and butterflies. Whether you're looking to add a dramatic shrub to your garden or are looking for a not-so-average container plant for your deck, a Wine and Roses Weigela will certainly stand out. Follow these tips to properly care for the shrub.
Planting and Care
Hardy in USDA Zones 4 to 8, the Wine and Roses Weigela is tolerant of a range of soils, though it does prefer well-drained soil. If your garden has heavy, clay-like soil, amend it with a mixture of sand and peat moss or manure before planting this shrub. Planting it in an area with full sun will ensure it produces plenty of blooms, which will be heaviest in spring and reoccur throughout summer and fall. An application of slow release fertilizer in spring will also help the shrub produce more blooms, which look delightful in bouquets or arrangements. If possible, choose a formula that is made especially for shrubs and bushes. Since the Wine and Roses Weigela prefers medium moisture, it's best to let it dry out somewhat between waterings, but don't allow the soil to parch. Overwatering can cause disease and root rot.
Pruning
To extend the flowering period on your Wine and Roses Weigela, you should try to prune the bush immediately after flowers are spent. This will encourage new growth and a healthy appearance. If you neglect to prune this shrub, you may notice slower overall growth. With proper care, the shrub can grow to be over five feet tall.
