These hardy, easy-to-grow deciduous shrubs are known for their profuse, trumpet-shaped flowers in late spring and early summer, attracting pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds and are the perfect choice for mixed borders, specimen plants, containers, hedges, and mass plantings.

Weigela offer attractive foliage in various colors (green, purple, bronze, variegated) and sizes, thriving in full sun and well-drained soil, requiring minimal pruning after flowering to maintain shape and encourage blooms. Pruning is best done immediately after flowering in summer to shape the shrub and remove old wood, as they bloom on old wood.

Full sun is best for abundant blooms and good foliage color, though they tolerate light shade and prefer moist, well-drained soil, with intolerance for very dry or waterlogged positions.

How to plant

— Plant Weigela bare roots in spring, when supplied, between February and May. Ideally they should be planted within a week of delivery. Bare root plants require moisture and light soon after arrival and cannot be stored in the packaging for prolonged periods. If you can't plant on the day of delivery, remove from the packaging and place the root in a bucket of water outside to soak, then plant within a week.

— Soak the roots in water for 3-6 hours prior to planting. It is possible to plant bare root shrubs directly into borders if the soil is good quality, free draining and clear of weeds, in a space which is clear of competitive established plants. In a well-cultivated border, dig a hole large enough to accommodate the roots so that they will be fully submerged after planting, the stem and branches should remain above the soil surface after planting. Ensure the hole is the correct depth so that the soil is level with the point at which the roots meet the stem.

— Improve the quality of the growing conditions in the immediate area by digging in some organic matter like compost or leaf mould to the planting hole, this provides a soft and nutritious medium and to help the roots settle in and grow. Avoid adding too much organic matter or manure to the planting hole as this can be too rich and damage the young roots.

— Position the shrub in the hole with the best side facing into the garden. When in place, fill the hole back in and firm down, ensuring the base of the stem is level with the soil surface. Water thoroughly to settle the soil around the roots and hydrate the plant.

— If you have challenging growing conditions/poor soil (heavy clay or light sandy soil) or if the border isn't ready for planting, it is best to pot up your bare root shrub so it can grow on and establish before transferring into a border later in the year. Pot up the bare root into a 20-30cm temporary pot using multipurpose or soil based compost. Ensure the roots are fully submerged and the stem is exposed above the soil surface. Water thoroughly and allow it to grow-on in a sheltered position outside. The shrub can be transplanted to borders once growth is established and the plant easily comes out of the pot with the soil held intact in a root ball.

— When planting into the garden, choose a position in full sun or partial shade with moist but well-drained soil.

— This shrub is deciduous and will lose its leaves in autumn, new leaves will begin to grow in spring. It is fully hardy and does not require winter protection.

— Water immediately after planting and continue regularly for the first year while the shrub settles in. Once established, watering should only be necessary during particularly dry spells.

Aftercare

— Weigela is supplied as a dormant bare root and will not usually have any leaves on arrival. Leaves will emerge in spring from around March/April.

— Keep the surrounding soil consistently moist in the first year. During hot/dry spells, soak the area with water in the evening or early morning to ensure the moisture reaches the roots.

— Prune after flowering in June-July. While the shrub is establishing, a light trim is all that is required to help the shrub bush out. Once the shrub is established, you can prune back stems and branches by around one third. Remove any dead or dying branches and stems anytime, however is it easiest to do this in winter when the leaves have fallen and the framework is visible.

— Apply a mulch of organic matter in winter or spring to feed the shrub and help retain moisture in the soil.

— To rejuvenate a mature shrub, up to a third of oldest stems can be cut down to the base to make way for new yound stems.

Read further general instructions about planting bare-root shrubs