Description

Weigela –

Cardininal Bush – There are about 12, mostly arching to upright, deciduous shrubs within the Caprifoliaceae family, found naturally occurring in Japan, Korea, and Northeastern China, in this genus.  Most grow 6-10’ feet tall and wide and produce opposite, pointed elliptical, toothed leaves, usually to 4” long.  The foliage often develops orange, red, and purple tone in fall.  Weigelas are grown for their showy, bell to funnel shaped, pink to red, sometimes white or yellow flowers borne in late spring and early summer, these are usually 1 ½” long, and are borne singly or in corymbs or cymes of 3 or 4 on previous years growth, many are sparingly remontant.  Suitable for a mixed or shrub border, or for open woodland garden.  The flowers attract hummingbirds.

Grow in any fertile, well-drained moist soil in full sun or partial shade.

Prone to  root knot nematode, Japanese beetles, scale insects, Verticillium wilt, twig dieback, and lepidoptera.

W. florida – Old-fashioned Weigela – This spreading shrub with arching shoots, from Northeastern China, Korea, and Japan, grows 8-10’ feet tall and wide.  It produces oblong, pointed, toothed, dark green leaves, with felty undersides.  In late spring and early summer it bears corymbs of trumpet shaped, rose pink flowers, 1 ¼” long, with pale pink to white throats.

Zones 5-8