Weigela Growing Guide

 

Common Name Weigela 
Genus  Weigela 
Species various 
Family Caprifoliaceae
Life Cycle  Deciduous Shrub 
Bundle Size  10 bare roots per bundle 
Care All of these plants will ship to you from Vermont in early April. They will be just coming out of dormancy. You may see swelling buds or a bit of new growth, but in general they will be in a dormant state and may look a little dead. Don't worry! They will wake up.

You may see a bit of mold on the roots but this is completely normal. Simply wash it off and plant immediately. As a precaution you can treat the roots with a fungicide or biofungicide, but this isn't necessary. Small broken branches are also of little concern. Just prune off any broken bits and the plant will recover quickly. The root system is the important part at this stage in the game.

If you can't plant immediately on arrival store your bare roots in the cooler. The cold will delay their growth. Keep them from freezing. You can either pot them into 1 gallon pots or plant them directly into your prepared soil. Just make sure to plant them within a few days of arrival. They are waking up and are ready to grow, and they will decline quickly if they are not given soil, water and sunshine.

This is a carefully orchestrated process to get plants quickly from their storage conditions to you so please do your part and be ready to plant them on arrival. There is no reason that these plants will experience any stress if you prepare for their arrival.
Netting / Staking Not necessary 
Temperature Range Hardy to zone 5
Spacing 3' x 3'
Soil Preference Compost enriched, moist, well drained
Light  Full sun is preferred, some light shade is tolerated in the hot south. 
Pruning Weigela flowers on one year old wood, so pruning early in the season right as flowers are fading but before new growth has developed will not cause a decline in flowering the following season. Prune to shape as desired.
When to Plant In the spring, when the ground is workable. 
Harvesting Flowers in late spring but you can use the foliage any time of the year. Cut leaves when they are fully mature and have hardened. Immature foliage will wilt quickly. 
Post Harvest Care Cut branches should immediately be placed in water. To facilitate more water uptake, you can split the cut end of the branch a few inches using pruning snips before putting them in the bucket. 
Diseases / Insects No significant pests or disease beyond the usual plant pest culprits. 
Bailey's Notes

Weigela shrubs are cherished for their abundant, trumpet-shaped blooms that emerge in shades of pink, red, or white, attracting hummingbirds and pollinators throughout late spring and summer. Their arching branches and lush green, burgundy or variegated foliage add elegance to garden borders or mixed shrub beds.

Weigela thrives in full sun, is easy to maintain, and tolerates a variety of soil conditions, making it a versatile choice for landscapes. Mature foliage holds up well in a vase and makes an excellent bouquet filler, adding texture and movement to arrangements. 
Resources N/A