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.
'Brigela', commonly sold under the trade name of FRENCH LACE, originated in 1989 as a spontaneous mutation of a single distinctive branch that appeared on a plant of Weigela florida`Bristol Ruby`. It was discovered and developed by Andre Briant of Andre Briant Jeunes Plants in Saint-Barthelemy D'Anjou, France. 'Brigela' has trumpet-shaped, 1 1/2 in., bright red flowers that fade to a very dark pink in the throat of the bloom. Its leaves are yellow-green towards the center with a lighter yellow-green and/or yellow margin and a reddish edge. It grows 4 to 8 ft. tall and wide. United States Plant Patent #12,666 awarded June 4, 2002.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems.
Uses
Borders, property margins and foundations. Hedge or summer screen.