The base of the hardware cloth should be buried in the soil or mulch. Care for Weigela Bushes (Pruning Tips, Etc.) Preparing the weigel for winter will help her survive the cold with minimal damage. More winter-hardy species are: Weigela blooming, Weigela Middendorf and Weigela early, they are successfully grown in conditions of middle lane. Water only on a sunny day, in the mid-morning, when the surface of the soil is warmed. http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderProfileResults.aspx?basic=Weigela) Whatever type of weigela you grow, it's a good idea to give it a bit of extra care as winter approaches and at winters end to help keep it flourishing. Weigela can be propagated by seed, however the seed may not come true. In order for you to see this page as it is meant to appear, we ask that you please re-enable your Javascript! This is especially likely in a young or recently transplanted shrub, or in one planted where its south-facing side is unprotected. Poured into these holes should be a total of 1/4 pound of fertilizer per foot of height or spread of the shrub (divided up and poured evenly between all of the holes). Weigela plants are shrubs that have beautiful red and pink flowers and can grow to be up to 6 feet (1.8 m) tall. Although weigela is a hardy plant, it's prone to winter dieback, especially in areas with harsh winters. Water your weigela shrub deeply several times in the fall well before the first hard frost to support the roots to withstand winter drought conditions. Because a weigela has no leaves in winter, its stems are susceptible to a problem called sun scald, which happens when sun heats up the bark on bright but cold days, stimulating activity in the stem that can be followed by tissue damage when the sun goes down and the stem is chilled. Mulch around the base of your weigela with an organic material laid down in at least a 3-inch-thick blanket. Stake type fertilizers can be used following the directions on the package. Pruning this plant at any time is a trade off. Mature bushes benefit from the removal of older interior branches in late winter to improve the shrub’s vigor and bloom the next year. Whatever type of weigela you grow, it's a good idea to give it a bit of extra care as winter approaches and at winters end to help keep it flourishing. Weigela thrives in full sun and partial shade exposures in well drained and nutrient-rich soil. Weigela is a flowering garden perennial shrub that throws out a profusion of pink, red or white blooms throughout the spring and summer. Top prune the plant to improve the shape and reduce its size but, be careful not to remove more than 30% of the top growth. Prune back any branches that did not make it through the winter, in the spring, after the last hard frost has passed. In late winter or early spring, trim out no more than one-third of the oldest branches at the base. Weigela thrives in full sun and partial shade exposures in well drained and nutrient-rich soil. Weigela can suffer significant shoot loss in a hard winter. These holes should not be filled with more than 1/3 of the fertilizer and then they should be top filled with soil. Commonly planted as hedges, foundation plantings or in beds and borders, weigela is low-maintenance and thrives in sunny sites and moist soil. Most growers of these shrubs like the natural form weigela bushes assume, so pruning is not always necessary. Learn what you need to know to grow and care for weigela. Reapply a fresh layer each year in the fall as winter approaches. Prune back any branches that did not make it through the winter, in the spring, after the last hard frost has passed. Fall Preparation Although a weigela is a deciduous plant that drops its leaves in fall, its roots continue functioning for a … Weigela is an excellent spring-blooming shrub that can add flair and color to your spring garden. Liquid fertilizers (such as Miracle Gro) are mixed with water and applied the same as you would water the plant (see product for specific details). Use pine straw, leaf mold or shredded bark to insulate the roots from cold and drought. Because many of the Weigelia rebloom you have to decide whether shape and the reduce in size is more important than the potential rebloom, its up to you. Larger mature specimens benefit from the removal of older branches to rejuvenate the plant. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, Frost on leaves image by Rod Jackson from, Iowa State University: Winter Effects on Garden Plants, University of Minnesota Extensnion: Protecting Trees and Shrubs Against Winter Damage, Montana State University Urban IPM Program: Winter Care of Trees and Shrubs, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach: Growing Weigelas in the Home Landscape. It appears that you have disabled your Javascript. With any of the above techniques a balanced mix should be used, 20-20-20 or 20-30-20 or 18-24-16. Use loppers for small-diameter branches and a pruning saw for larger branches. Their aroma resembles the smell of honeysuckle. The new weigela selections fall into every size category, from one that's perfect for pots to one that can create a hedge (like Fine Wine weigela, above). By fertilizing young shrubs you can increase both the size and the amount of flowers on the plant. Related posts: Box Wood Garden. More winter-hardy species are: Weigela blooming, Weigela Middendorf and Weigela early, they are successfully grown in conditions of middle lane. Foliage – deciduous Flowering – April to June. Water a few times during winter if conditions are dry. You can also remove any broken or damaged branches at the end of winter, but a weigela has its heaviest flowering in spring on the previous season's growth, so it's best you don't prune heavily in winter to preserve flower buds. Have any Question or Comment? Height – 3 to 6 ½ feet (1 to 2 meters) Exposure – sun and part sun Soil – rich enough. Tony Duquette Beverly Hills Home. Pruning this plant at any time is a trade off. How To Care For Weigela In The Winter. www.gardenmanage.com. Organic fertilizers, like manure, can also be used with good results. ft. of bed area. If you do choose to prune, do so just after flowering. This is done in early spring by removing two or three of the plants largest canes to the ground. Weigela Care. This can be repeated every few years. Weigela care includes pruning for shape. Sun Stripe Agapanthus. Weigela is a flowering garden perennial shrub that throws out a profusion of pink, red or white blooms throughout the spring and summer. You can take semi-ripe cuttings in summer or hardwood cutting in winter. Soil: Weigela grows best in moderately acidic to slightly alkaline soil, with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5. Therefore, before starting the preparation, it is necessary to take into account the climate zone. Winter Care. As the plant matures, some “renewal pruning” should be done. Granular types should be worked into the soil around the plant at a rate of 2 pounds or 2 pints per 100 square feet of planting bed. Semi-ripe cuttings. Commonly planted as hedges, foundation plantings or in beds and borders, weigela is low-maintenance and thrives in sunny sites and moist soil. All Rights Reserved. The material should be worked into open soil at a rate of one bushel per one 6′ shrub or 100 sq. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! Always use sharp, sterilised tools to take cuttings. Prune these spring flowering shrubs soon after they have bloomed. This method of fertilization should only be done once a year, and is best done in late fall after leaf drop, or in early spring before bud break. Cut down to a point of healthy wood or down to the crown of the plant. Get our latest news by Greenmail. Resume a regular irrigation schedule in the spring after the last hard frost. Sign up. ... How to Care for Weigela in the Winter 2 How to Grow Spanish Lavender 3 How to Care for Mums in … Water a few times during winter if conditions are dry. Double-check stems that look dead by scratching the bark with a fingernail. An alternative way is to drill or punch 6″ deep holes at the drip line of the plant. Preparation for winter will help ensure that the plant emerges in the spring healthy and with minimal damage. Pull all of the loose cuttings from the canopy and collect any debris that has accumulated on the soil below, to prevent the disease and insect prone conditions that rotting plant tissues provide.