Weigela florida (Old Fashioned Weigela)
Botanical Information
| Family | Caprifoliaceae |
| Genus | Weigela |
| Species | florida |
| Category | Woody |
| Type | Shrub (deciduous) |
| Origin | North China, Korea and Manchuria. Introduced by Robert Fortune after the opium wars in China. Fortune was dispatched by the Royal Horticultural Society out of the Chiswick Garden; only one of the expeditions was funded by the society. Fortune spent many years and several expeditions in China collecting plants before returning home. |
| Pronunciation |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 4 - 8 |
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone | 4 - 8 |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Zone | H7 |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Temperature (°C) | -20 |
| Temperature (°F) | 68 |
| Height | 2 - 3 m |
| Spread | 2 - 4 m |
| Growth | Fast |
| Flowering Period | April, May, June |
Description and Growing Information
| ID Characteristic | Rose pink funnel shaped flowers with dark green leaves in the summer that turn brownish in the autumn. |
| Shape | Rounded to spreading. |
| Landscape | Can be used for shrub borders, massing, hedges, summer screens and foundations. |
| Propagation | Softwood cuttings in early summer. |
| Cultivation | Grown in moist, well drained alkaline soils. Requires full sun for optimum flowering and foliage but can tolerate partial shade. Very adaptable and urban tolerant. Annual pruning keeps the plant healthy. |
| Pests | No serious pests or diseases. |
| Notable Specimens | Missouri Botanical Gardens, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America. |
| Bark/Stem Description | Grey-brown bark with circular lenticels. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description | Reddish-brown buds to about 2 cm long. |
| Leaf Description | Very coarse leaves. |
| Flower Description | Flowers are perfectly funnel-shaped at 2.5 cm long. |
| Fruit Description | Smooth capsule fruit that have 2 valves and measure approximately 2.5 cm long. |
| Colour Description | Rosy pink flowers and dark greens leaves in the summer that turn brownish in the autumn. Grey-brown bark. |
Photographs
Weigela florida 'Bristol Ruby'.
Weigela florida 'Minuet'.
Weigela florida 'Sunny Princess'.
Weigela florida 'Red Prince'.