Plants
Weigela
Weigela · Caprifoliaceae
Weigela is one of the most rewarding flowering shrubs there is: in May and June it covers itself in hundreds of funnel-shaped blooms from pink to dark red, and many cultivars follow up with a lighter second flush in late summer. It grows in any ordinary garden soil, is reliably hardy and a productive nectar source for bumblebees. On top of that it is non-toxic — a worry-free choice for households with children and pets.
- Light
- Sun to light semi-shade; the brighter, the more flowers.
- Watering
- Moderate; water established shrubs only in longer dry spells.
- Care level
- Easy
- Botanical
- Weigela
The range of cultivars is wide: classics such as „Bristol Ruby“ with ruby-red flowers reach a good two to three metres, while modern dwarfs such as „Nana Variegata“ or the dark-leaved „Nana Purpurea“ stay around one metre and even suit containers. Cultivars with purple-brown or variegated foliage add colour after the flowering weeks are over.
Weigela flowers on the previous year's wood, mainly in May and June. The right time to prune is therefore straight after the main bloom: cut spent shoots back to a lower young shoot and remove the oldest branches near the ground every few years. A hard winter prune costs you the entire spring display — the classic beginner mistake.
It is flexible about position: full sun gives the most lavish bloom, light semi-shade also works well. The soil can be ordinary to rich; only permanently wet or extremely dry, sandy sites are unwelcome. Once established it copes with normal summers without help.
In the border we like to combine weigela with other early-summer bloomers — lilac and viburnum extend the flowering sequence forwards, butterfly bush continues it afterwards. In front of dark red cultivars, white peonies or pale perennials look particularly elegant, with the weigela providing a calm, dependable backdrop.
For the vase, weigela is a cottage-garden insider tip: flowering branches last several days when cut and give early-summer bouquets a natural, rural character. Cut the woody stems generously at an angle and check the water daily — cut branches drink a lot.
Is Weigela toxic to children and pets?
- Children
- Non-toxic
- Cats
- Non-toxic
- Dogs
- Non-toxic
Weigela is considered non-toxic to cats, dogs and children — one of the most uncomplicated flowering shrubs for family gardens. As with all ornamentals, eating larger quantities is still not advised.
Overview: toxic & non-toxic plants for cats, dogs and children
Care
- 01Sunny to semi-shaded position; full sun gives the richest bloom.
- 02Ordinary, humus-rich garden soil; avoid waterlogging and extreme drought.
- 03Prune straight after flowering: shorten spent shoots, thin old branches near the ground.
- 04Do not cut back hard in winter — the flowers sit on last year's wood.
- 05Feed with compost or organic fertiliser in spring.
- 06Water younger plants deeply in hot summers.
Frequently asked
- When and how do you prune weigela?
- Straight after the main bloom in June. Cut spent shoots back to a strong young shoot and remove the oldest branches near the ground every two to three years. A winter prune removes the flower buds on last year's wood and the shrub stays largely bare of bloom the following year.
- Is weigela toxic to dogs or cats?
- No, weigela is considered non-toxic to dogs, cats and children too. That makes it a good choice for family gardens and plots where pets roam freely. Large ingested amounts can at most upset the stomach.
- Does weigela flower twice a year?
- Many cultivars do: after the lavish main bloom in May and June, a second, much lighter flush follows on the current year's wood in August or September in a good spot. A light prune after the main bloom and enough water in summer encourage this second flowering.
- How big does a weigela get?
- It varies a lot by cultivar: classics such as „Bristol Ruby“ reach two to three metres in height and spread, dwarfs such as „Nana Purpurea“ stay around one metre. For hedges, containers or small front gardens, check the cultivar details — the space requirement is often underestimated.