Culture
Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerant of clay soils. Needs full sun for best flowering and foliage color, but will tolerate some light shade or sun dappled shade. Prune to shape if needed immediately after flowering. Propagate by stem cuttings.
EYECATCHER typically produces its best variegated foliage color with some light part shade. Full sun in hot summer climates may trigger some leaf scorch.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Weigela florida is native to northern China, Korea and Japan. It is a dense, rounded, deciduous shrub that typically grows to 6-10’ tall and may spread over time to as much as 12’ wide. Branching is somewhat coarse, and branches on mature shrubs tend to arch toward the ground. Funnel-shaped, rose pink flowers (each to 1.25” long) bloom profusely in spring, with a sparse and scattered repeat bloom often occurring in mid to late summer. Elliptic to obovate, medium green leaves (to 4.5” long) with serrate margins retain good color throughout the growing season. Insignificant fall color. Fruit is inconspicuous. Flowers are attractive to hummingbirds.
The genus name Weigela honors Christian Ehrenfried Weigel (1748-1831), German professor at the University of Geifswald.
The specific epithet florida means "freely flowering", in reference to the flowering habit of this species.
EYECATCHER is a much more compact shrub that typically grows to only 2-3' tall and as wide. It is noted for producing showy, oval, variegated, bright golden-yellow leaves (to 3" long) with irregular medium green centers. EYECATCHER is a naturally occurring branch sport of Weigela florida 'Rubidor'. It was discovered in 2004 in Walberton, Sussex, United Kingdom by David Tristram. U.S. Plant Patent PP20,842 was issued on March 16, 2010.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems.
Uses
Borders, property margins and foundations. Hedge or summer screen.
Compact weigela for small areas in the landscape. Good container plant.