When I got back into the nursery business some 15 years ago I was utterly surprised by the types of plant varieties being grown and sold. Having spent the early part of my career managing botanical garden collections, since leaving the family nursery, I found that I was out of touch with the industry. I had gone the botanical route because I love plant diversity and I thrive on the esoteric.
What surprised me most upon my return was the great quantity of Weigela that was being grown and sold. In our fields, I came face to face with tens of thousands of Weigela, to be sold and shipped across the United States and Canada. How could it be? My perception of Weigela did not warrant this level of production. Could it be that my opinion had been tainted by the bias of my college instructors? I was taught that Weigela was a one dimensional plant, once popular, but now a horticultural relic surpassed by better, multi-seasonal shrubs. Perhaps, was my perception was wrong.
Over the last few years I have come to appreciate this interesting, diverse and useful genus. When faced with a mature specimen of Weigela in full bloom, only the brain dead, or the truly devoted plant snob can look at this plant and fail to see its remarkable beauty. Still, serious "plants people" fail to give Weigela respect. As a reformed plant snob myself, I too found myself falling into the old mental trap, that a truly "good" plant must be obscure, difficult to grow, and impossible to propagate. Now, here's this shrub, Weigela, that's easy to propagate, easy to grow and sells by the millions. Can it be as commendable and as worthy as Chionanthus or Corylopsis? O.K. fellow plant snobs, we can kick this affliction if we just concentrate on the merits of the plant. Let's take a closer look.
There are roughly ten species of Weigela, all of which are shrubs native to temperate East Asia, specifically Japan, Korea, and Northern China The most common, and most ornamental species is Weigela florida, a rounded to arching shrub that typically grows to 6 to 8 feet tall. The species and its hybrids account for nearly all of the numerous Weigela cultivars. A few of the hybrids are have Weigela praecox blood which has resulted in earlier blooming cultivars that tend to be slightly less hardy. Weigela florida is prized primarily for the funnel-shaped flowers that engulf the plant from May to June; Weigela is a blooming machine. Many of the newer cultivars have the added benefit of reblooming during the summer.
Depending upon the cultivar, the flower color may be pink, red, white, peach, lavender, and nearly every shade and hue in between. Several other species exhibit yellow flowers. Hummingbirds adore Weigela flowers, particularly those with red or pink flowers. In addition to flowers, there are numerous cultivars that have attractive colorful foliage. This foliage provides season-long interest and sales after the blooms have faded. Selections have been made for leaf colors such as bright yellow, copper, burgundy, near black, and of course, variegated forms. Colorful foliage has made Weigela a season-long ornamental plant with excellent commercial value. In a recent conversation with one of the top mail order companies, I was astounded to learn that Weigela florida 'Variegata' was the single best selling plant they have ever featured on their cover!
One of the best features of Weigela, is that it's user friendly. Adaptable to many soil types, it's hardy to USDA zone 4 and has no serious pest problems. It's easy to propagate, easy to grow and presents itself well in a container. In a word, it's reliable! The only requirement of this plant is that it requires full sun to produce copious flowers. The problem with Weigela is deciding which cultivar to grow. With over 180 named cultivars choosing the best can be overwhelming. Relax, it's hard to go wrong any selection, but if it makes you feel better, I'll share my opinions and experience. Here are my favorite selections broken down by flower color and foliage color:
The Best Cultivars by Flower Color
When it comes to red flowered Weigela, 'Red Prince' is currently the clear choice. Developed at Iowa State University, this is a tough, hardy plant with dark, blood red flowers. 'Red Prince' has excellent reblooming qualities and the flowers hold up well. This full sized plant that has literally replaced all other reds from the market.
'White Knight' is another Iowa State hybrid. It has white flowers with the slightest touch of pink as they fade. Like 'Red Prince' it is extremely hardy. Without a doubt this is the best reblooming Weigela I've ever encountered. It's not uncommon to see 'White Knight' covered with blooms in late September. Although white flowers are not the most popular at retail, I really like this plant. Its white flowers stand out nicely against the dark green leaves.
Now let's examine the best pink cultivars. In the late 1980's, a series of Weigela was developed by Felicitas Svejda of Ag-Canada. Bred for hardiness and compact growth, all were released and named for dance steps. All are good cultivars, but my favorite is 'Polka'. This is a compact, 3-5' plant with thick dark green foliage. Its flowers are a rich velvety two-toned pink with a yellow throat. If you desire a petite, pink flowered Weigela, then consider 'Minuet' which stays under 3' tall. This is a strong blooming plant with lavender pink blooms. Its a great for locations that require a smaller plant.
As I mentioned earlier, there are yellow blooming species. Weigela maximowiczii and W. middendorfiana both have yellow flowers. I have only recently acquired both of these species and have not yet seen a strong bloom. For this reason I must withhold my opinions until I complete my evaluation. Dick Lighty of the Mt. Cuba Center recently introduced a yellow selection called 'Canary' that has been getting good reviews. The flowers open yellow and fade to pink. He classifies it as Weigela subsessilis.
One of best new Weigela is a French introduction called Weigela 'Carnaval' (or 'Courtalor'). This plant puts on a remarkable floral display of pink, white and nearly red blooms. The effect is breathtaking. A close examination of the flowers reveals its tetraploid nature. Its flowers are extra thick, relatively large and the colors are vivid. The trumpet-like corolla is shallow and the lobes are turned out giving the flowers an azalea-like appearance. It is long blooming and produces no fruit capsules.
Colorful Foliage
Recently awarded the Pennsylvania Horticulture Society Gold Medal for the year 2000, Weigela WINE & ROSES® 'Alexandra is perhaps the most exciting new variety to hit the market in years. Herman Geers of the Netherlands hybridized this healthy growing form with large, glossy, dark burgundy-purple leaves. The foliage color is so appealing, its initial European success has been as a cut branch to the floral industry. Geers actually leases plants to cut growers who them sell branches at famous Alsmeer flower market.
In the U.S., WINE & ROSES is being marketed as a landscape shrub. It has been getting excellent reviews from both growers and retailers. When compared to Weigela 'Java Red' the difference is remarkable. 'Java Red' has coffee brown colored leaves and pale pink flowers while WINE & ROSES has burgundy leaves and vivid deep pink flowers. It is substantial improvement in Weigela.
Weigela MIDNIGHT WINE™ 'Elvera' is Herman Geers' newest weigela introduction and like WINE & ROSES it has purple leaves and pink flowers. What makes this plant truly unique is its dwarf mounded habit. While WINE & ROSES is full-sized Weigela, MIDNIGHT WINE grows only 8 to 10 inches tall and a twice as wide. Its unique habit makes it an excellent shrub for the front of the border and can easily be integrated with perennials such as Artemesia 'Silver Mound'.
As a plant snob, I nearly always turn my nose up at yellow leafed plants, but I have been impressed with a new yellow leafed cultivar named Weigela 'Rubidor'. Recently introduced from France, 'Rubidor' has bright yellow leaves and dark red flowers, hence the name. I've been growing this shrub in a shaded spot under an oak tree and love the effect it gives. It lightens up this shady site and provides season long color. I have seen the plant perform well in full sun, but I expect that its leaves may suffer in full sun particularly in the south. With proper sighting and discretionary use, this is an excellent addition to the Weigela group.
Currently, there is a craze for variegated plants, be it ugly or attractive. Weigela is one of the nicest variegated plants you can find. Weigela 'Variegata' has a wide creamy-yellow margin and light pink to nearly white flowers. It is the most commonly grown variegated selection, however there are better cultivars to be had. Unfortunately it lacks stem hardiness and is prone to tip dieback in colder climates.
Weigela FRENCH LACE™ 'Brigela' is a new selection from Andre Briant of France released in the U.S. in the spring of 1999. Its leaves are an attractive combination of dark green with a thick, even lime green margin. Unlike 'Variegata', FRENCH LACE has large, deep scarlet red flowers and the overall effect is quite attractive. If it proves to be hardier than 'Variegata' it should be a big hit. Weigela 'Sunny Princess' is a new variegated selection of 'Pink Princess'. It has a thin yellow margin and bright pink flowers. Having Iowa State blood in it makes it a reliable variegated selection for colder regions where 'Variegata' has failed to perform.
The newest addition to the selection of variegated Weigela is called My Monet. This is a breakthrough plant with cream, pink and green variegation on a dwarf (10-16") tall plant. This little beauty is great in mass plantings used much like you would use perennials or annuals. It has attractive pink flowers in spring and the colorful foliage gives you color all season long. This plant is going to change the way you think about flowering shrubs!
A Plant Snob come to grips with Weigela
The improvements in Weigela over the last twenty years have been substantial. Gains have been made in foliage color, plant habit, flowering and hardiness. This new breed is not your grandmother's Weigela, that had the reputation for being a one season plant. As a reformed plant snob I take one day at a time (Once a plant snob always a plant snob). Sure I have my relapses, but I seriously try to judge a plant on its merit and not it obscurity. The fact is - Weigela florida is more than just a spring splash of colorful blooms. Colorful foliage delivers season long interest and extended impulse sales at retail. It's reliable and has no pest problems. Still, the plant snob in me hates that it's so dependable and easy to grow. My goodness, you don't even need a tissue lab to propagate it! If it could only offer me the same "edge of the seat excitement" I get from Daphne 'Carol Mackie', knowing that it may die at any moment. Oh well, at least Weigela has merit!
By Tim Wood All rights reserved © Spring Meadow Nursery, Inc.
