Weigela florida (19/04/2014, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun to light shade
Soil: Moist, well drained
Flowering period: Summer
Eventual Height: 3m
Eventual Spread: 3m
Hardiness: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Family: Caprifoliaceae
Weigela florida is a deciduous shrub with a bushy habit. Its mid green leaves are ovate to oblong with a serrate margins, up to 10cm long and 4cm broad. Its white/ pink/ red hermaphrodite flowers are up to 4cm long , with a five lobed corolla and produced solitary or in cymes. Its fruit is a dry capsule which contains numerous winged seeds.
Weigela florida Flower (19/04/2014, Kew Gardens, London)
Weigela florida, commonly known also as Weigela, is native to east China, Japan and Korea. In its native habitat it grows in mixed forests and scrub. Itwas the first species of Weigelia to be collected for western gardens and was found by Robert Fortune and imported into England in 1845.
The etymological root of the binomial name Weigelia is named after the German scientist Christian Ehrenfried Wegel. Florida is from the Latin meaning ‘many flowers’.
The landscape architect may find Weigela florida 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. It may be planted as an attractive informal hedge.
Weigela florida Leaf (19/04/2014, Kew Gardens, London)
Ecologically, Weigela florida will act as a food plant for members of the Leipodoptera species.
The Royal Horticultural Society has given the variety Weigela florida ‘Variegata’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.
Weigela florida prefers moist, humus rich, well drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.
Weigela florida requires little maintenance. If pruning is required it should be carried out after flowering.
