Weigela florida 'Alexandra' WINE AND ROSES
Common Name: weigela 
Type: Deciduous shrub
Family: Caprifoliaceae
Zone: 4 to 8
Height: 4.00 to 5.00 feet
Spread: 4.00 to 6.00 feet
Bloom Time: April to June
Bloom Description: Reddish pink
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Suggested Use: Hedge
Flower: Showy
Leaf: Colorful, Good Fall
Attracts: Hummingbirds
Tolerate: Clay Soil

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.

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.

'Alexandra', sold under the trade name of WINE AND ROSES, typically grows 4-5' tall with a slightly larger spread. It is primarily grown for its profuse reddish-pink spring flowers and its purple foliage. Patented under the original cultivar name of 'Alexandra' (PP10,772). Winner of the Pennsylvania Horticulture Society Gold Medal Plant Award for 2000.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems.

Uses

Borders, property margins and foundations. Hedge or summer screen.