How to Plant Weigela

Weigela are thought of as old-fashioned shrubs and have fallen out of favor with gardeners. However, there are now new cultivars available with variegated or purple foliage, dwarf growth, and yellow, white and lavender flowers. Whether you choose a new or old-fashioned cultivar, weigela will add value to your landscaping. The arching branches are attractive all year long, and the tubular flowers are a favorite of hummingbirds and butterflies. Better still, weigela are hardy in zones 4-8, can tolerate a wide range of pH and soil types, and need little pruning or supplemental care. Weigela are a midsized shrub and can be planted to form attractive hedges or in groups to hide eyesores.

Compost

Shovel

Weigela shrub, any variety

Pruning shears

Choose a spot in full sun with enough room to accommodate your weigela's adult growth without crowding its neighbors. For hedges or mass plantings space weigela 3 to 6 feet apart depending on variety.

Dig a hole twice as wide and deep as the root ball. Mix compost in with the dirt that was removed. Fill the hole with the mix of soil and compost until the hole is just big enough for the root ball. Make sure the weigela will be planted at the same depth as it was in the nursery. Tamp the soil firmly around the root ball to avoid air pockets.

Cut broken or dead branches off at the nearest live node.

Keep your weigela well watered, the soil should dry out slightly between waterings.

If you must prune your weigela, do so after the blooms have faded.

Weigela can tolerate light shade but will bloom best in full sun.

Variegated and purple varieties of weigela look great planted in front of evergreens.

Weigela like to spread and will quickly shade out and crowd neighboring plants if planted too closely.

Plant weigela at least 4 feet from foundations.