Common Name: weigela
Type: Deciduous shrub
Family: Caprifoliaceae
Zone: 5 to 9
Height: 4.00 to 5.00 feet
Spread: 5.00 to 6.00 feet
Bloom Time: April to June
Bloom Description: White
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Suggested Use: Hedge
Flower: Showy, Fragrant, Good Cut
Attracts: Hummingbirds, Butterflies
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.
'White Knight' grow to 5' tall and produces pure white flowers. Among weigelas, the flower of this cultivar is unique as it is both fragrant and pure white. When not in flower, this shrub tends to look rather ordinary.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems.
Uses
Borders, property margins and foundations. Hedge or summer screen.