Weigela florida 'Variegata' flower (15/08/22011, London)
Position: Full sun will tolerate partial shade
Soil: well drained soil
Flowering period: Summer
Eventual Height: 2.5m
Eventual Spread: 2.5m
Hardiness: USDA Zone 5a-9b
Family: Caprifoliaceae
Weigela florida ‘Variegata’ is an deciduous shrub with a bushy habit. Its leaves are 5cm to 15cm long, opposite in arrangement, ovate-oblong, with a serrate margin, with yellow variegation to the leaf margins. In summer it produces corymbs of 2cm to 4cm long hermaphrodite flowers, with a five lobed white/ pink/ red corolla. Following these a dry capsule fruit is produced which contains numerous winged seeds.
Weigela florida, which is commonly known also as Weigelia, is native to eastern Asia. W. florida was the first species of Weigelia to be collected for western gardens and was found by Robert Fortune and imported into England in 1845.
Weigelia is named after the German scientist Christian Ehrenfried Wegel. Florida is from the Latin meaning many flowers. Variegata is derived from the Latin meaning variegated.
Weigela florida 'Variegata' (15/08/22011, London)
The landscape architect may find this plant useful as a low maintenance medium height shrub in warm sunny locations. It is useful in urban schemes as it is tolerant of atmospheric pollution. W. florida may be planted as an attractive informal hedge
The Royal Horticultural Society gave the cultivar Weigela florida ‘Variegata’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.
This plant will tolerate almost any soil conditions; it will be happy at neutral, acid or alkaline pH levels, This plant prefers sandy, loamy, chalk and clay soils.
Ecologically this plant will act as a food plant for members of the Leipodoptera species
Maintenance: Generally maintenance is not required. If pruning is required it should be carried out after flowering.
