Weigela

The genus Weigela (Weigela) consists of 12 deciduous shrubs with opposite, simple, serrate-toothed leaves and tubular-bell-shaped large flowers of white, yellow, pink, purple or dark red color, 1-6 on young shoots or in leaf axils. The fruit is a two-celled capsule. Weigela is an ornamental plant widespread in culture. Weigela floribunda (Weigela floribunda) is a shrub up to 3 m high with long curved shoots, covered with leaves pointed at the ends with a serrated edge, light green on the upper side, and pubescent along the veins on the back. Flowers collected in small inflorescences are bright pink on the outside, inside are often lighter up to white. There are many varieties and decorative forms that differ from each other both in the color of the leaves (for example, the 'Purple' and 'Minuet' have purple leaves, and the 'Variegated' leaves with a white-cream border), and the size and color of the flowers (for example, in 'Adorable' the flowers are larger and the color is intense pink, and the flowers of the 'Multicolor', when they just open, are creamy white in color, later they turn red). Another species, the Japanese weigela (W. japonica), is a shrub with characteristic oval leaves. In May, when the flowers have just opened, they are pale pink or white; then turn bright red. In the variety 'Dart's Color Dream', the flowers formed on one plant have a different color (cream or pinkish-red). Weigela Middendorf (W. middendorffiana) - a species up to 1.5 m high with a characteristic peeling bark of this plant and oval-lanceolate leaves with a serrated edge and pointed ends. Yellow-white flowers are collected in small apical or axillary inflorescences. Numerous hybrid forms are bred under the name weigela hybrid (W. hybrida); most of it is obtained by crossing the abundant flowering weigela with other species. Hybrids are distinguished by an unusually lush flowering, which occurs in May - June. Some of them are: 'Bristol Ruby' has ruby-red flowers; 'Snow-white' and 'Snow avalanche' - white flowers; 'Eva Rathke' - bright red flowers with yellow anthers; large flowers of 'Graceful' salmon-pink with a yellow throat; 'Golden Luiman' has golden foliage; 'Newport Red' is distinguished by its large red flowers; compact 'Rumbra' - with yellow-green and purple leaves and dark red flowers.

The genus Weigela (Weigela) consists of 12 deciduous shrubs with opposite, simple, serrate-toothed leaves and tubular-bell-shaped large flowers of white, yellow, pink, purple or dark red color, 1-6 on young shoots or in leaf axils. The fruit is a two-celled capsule.

Weigela is an ornamental plant widespread in culture. Weigela floribunda (Weigela floribunda) is a shrub up to 3 m high with long curved shoots, covered with leaves pointed at the ends with a serrated edge, light green on the upper side, and pubescent along the veins on the back. Flowers collected in small inflorescences are bright pink on the outside, inside are often lighter up to white. There are many varieties and decorative forms that differ from each other both in the color of the leaves (for example, the 'Purple' and 'Minuet' have purple leaves, and the 'Variegated' leaves with a white-cream border), and the size and color of the flowers (for example, in 'Adorable' the flowers are larger and the color is intense pink, and the flowers of the 'Multicolor', when they just open, are creamy white in color, later they turn red).

Another species, the Japanese weigela (W. japonica), is a shrub with characteristic oval leaves.

In May, when the flowers have just opened, they are pale pink or white; then turn bright red. In the variety 'Dart's Color Dream', the flowers formed on one plant have a different color (cream or pinkish-red).

Weigela Middendorf (W. middendorffiana) - a species up to 1.5 m high with a characteristic peeling bark of this plant and oval-lanceolate leaves with a serrated edge and pointed ends. Yellow-white flowers are collected in small apical or axillary inflorescences. Numerous hybrid forms are bred under the name weigela hybrid (W. hybrida); most of it is obtained by crossing the abundant flowering weigela with other species. Hybrids are distinguished by an unusually lush flowering, which occurs in May - June. Some of them are: 'Bristol Ruby' has ruby-red flowers; 'Snow-white' and 'Snow avalanche' - white flowers; 'Eva Rathke' - bright red flowers with yellow anthers; large flowers of 'Graceful' salmon-pink with a yellow throat; 'Golden Luiman' has golden foliage; 'Newport Red' is distinguished by its large red flowers; compact 'Rumbra' - with yellow-green and purple leaves and dark red flowers.

Cultivation

Weigels are grown for their beautiful flowering in parks and gardens - both in single plantings and in small groups. Can also be cultivated in pots and boxes: on balconies and terraces. These plants are planted in October-November, mainly in cold climatic zones, or in early spring. They are not demanding on the soil, as long as good drainage is provided. Plants are hygrophilous, rather shade-tolerant. Since flowering occurs only on new shoots, branches that already had flowers are almost completely cut off every year in order to promote branching and flowering in the future.

Weigels are grown for their beautiful flowering in parks and gardens - both in single plantings and in small groups.

Can also be cultivated in pots and boxes: on balconies and terraces. These plants are planted in October-November, mainly in cold climatic zones, or in early spring. They are not demanding on the soil, as long as good drainage is provided. Plants are hygrophilous, rather shade-tolerant. Since flowering occurs only on new shoots, branches that already had flowers are almost completely cut off every year in order to promote branching and flowering in the future.

Location

These shrubs can be planted both in the sun and in partial shade; Weigela Middendorf - only in partial shade.

Temperature

This plant is resistant to both high and low temperatures.

Watering

Only necessary for young plants: immediately after planting in open ground and during periods of prolonged drought.

Transplant

Transplanted in the spring, in a pot the size of which corresponds to the size of the plant; fill it with soil, which is 2/3 of fertile land and 1/3 of peat.

Reproduction

Propagated by seeds, in culture - by cuttings. In June - July, semi-lignified cuttings (a branch of the current year with a "heel") are taken from the lateral shoots, on which no flowers have formed. They are placed in a mixture of sand and peat, keeping the temperature at 15 ° C. After the roots appear, the cuttings are seated one by one in 8-10 cm cups and kept in a closed, but unheated room for the winter. Throughout the year, they are transferred from time to time into larger containers. They are finally planted in the fall or next spring. Semi-lignified cuttings can also be selected in October - November.

Propagated by seeds, in culture - by cuttings. In June - July, semi-lignified cuttings (a branch of the current year with a "heel") are taken from the lateral shoots, on which no flowers have formed. They are placed in a mixture of sand and peat, keeping the temperature at 15 ° C. After the roots appear, the cuttings are seated one by one in 8-10 cm cups and kept in a closed, but unheated room for the winter.

Throughout the year, they are transferred from time to time into larger containers. They are finally planted in the fall or next spring. Semi-lignified cuttings can also be selected in October - November.

Diseases

Weigela can be infected with bacterial root cancer caused by Agrobacterium tumefaciens; at the same time, lignified spherical swellings appear on the roots or in the area of ​​the root collar. In this case, it is necessary to get rid of the plant. Leaf spots caused by weigela (Cercospora weigelae) are generally not very dangerous, as is the Texas root rot caused by Phymatotrichum omnivorum. These diseases are cured by treatment with fungicidal preparations. Often, weigela are affected by worms, they get rid of them with the help of anti-coccid drugs.

Weigela can be infected with bacterial root cancer caused by Agrobacterium tumefaciens; at the same time, lignified spherical swellings appear on the roots or in the area of ​​the root collar. In this case, it is necessary to get rid of the plant. Leaf spots caused by weigela (Cercospora weigelae) are generally not very dangerous, as is the Texas root rot caused by Phymatotrichum omnivorum. These diseases are cured by treatment with fungicidal preparations.

Often, weigela are affected by worms, they get rid of them with the help of anti-coccid drugs.

Acquisition

Weigela is very easy to find in specialized horticultural centers and nurseries. It is usually bought in autumn or spring, when you can immediately plant it in the ground. Select plants of relatively small size, making sure they are perfectly healthy.