Common Name: weigela
Type: Deciduous shrub
Family: Caprifoliaceae
Zone: 4 to 8
Height: 4.00 to 6.00 feet
Spread: 4.00 to 6.00 feet
Bloom Time: June to September
Bloom Description: Deep reddish-pink
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Suggested Use: Hedge
Flower: Showy
Leaf: Colorful
Attracts: Hummingbirds, Butterflies
Tolerate: Clay Soil
Culture
Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Needs full sun for best flowering and foliage color, but will tolerate very light shade. Prune to shape immediately after flowering.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Weigela is a genus of about 12 species of deciduous shrubs from East Asia. They are grown for their showy spring flowers.
The genus name Weigela honors Christian Ehrenfried Weigel (1748-1831), German professor at the University of Geifswald.
'Victoria' is a compact, dark-leaved version the popular old fashioned weigela. It is a dense, rounded deciduous shrub that typically grows to 4-6' tall and as wide. Features profuse deep reddish-pink, funnel-shaped flowers (to 1.25" long) that appear singly or in clusters along the branches of the previous year's growth in mid to late spring, with sparse and scattered repeat bloom often occurring on new growth as the summer progresses. Elliptic to obovate, glossy, burgundy-green leaves (to 3-4" long). Hummingbirds are attracted to the flowers. Some newer cultivars (e.g. see Weigela WINE AND ROSES) have even darker foliage than 'Victoria'.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems.
Uses
Good flowering and foliage shrub. Specimen or group for shrub borders. Also effective as a hedge. May be incorporated into a foundation planting.