How Do I Care for My Weigela?

One question we get a lot is: how do I care for my weigela? First of all, congratulations on a great pick! You’ve chosen a weigela (pronounced wy-JEE-la) which is an easy-to-grow, deciduous, perennial flowering shrub with prolific, eye-catching blossoms and pretty foliage. Easy-to-care-for and exceptionally attractive, this simple, inexpensive flowering shrub is a smart choice for enhancing your landscape. But now that you’ve got it home, what next?

Choosing a Location

If you don’t already know where you want to plant it, now is the time to decide. Weigela (pronounced wy-JEE-la) vary as far as height and width go. So be aware of how your particular variety is expected to grow and choose your site accordingly. Your weigela will prefer partial or afternoon shade in the hottest climate and during the hottest hours of the day at the height of the summer. But cooler climes will require full sunlight.

How do I care for my weigela? Think Fertilization

Weigela, as with most plants, prefers soil enriched with organic material when first planted. This provides the roots with much-needed nutrients. Which will help your new shrub to survive the rigors of transportation and transplanting. Once established, fertilization will be up to you and the plant. If you notice stunted growth or fewer flowers than normal, consider feeding with a slow-release fertilizer formulated for flowering shrubs and trees. Follow the recommended instructions for dosage. One of our customer favorites is Jobe’s Organic Rose & Flowering Shrub Fertilizer Spikes.

How do I care for my Weigela: watering 

Though somewhat drought tolerant, your Weigela will prefer regular watering. As with your lawn, water in the early morning or evening to conserve water loss from evaporation. These hardy shrubs, once established, are rather hard to kill, so it is very rare to water too much, unless the plant is being regularly flooded and/or sitting in water for any length of time. Watering at the same time and the same amount as you water your lawn should be more than sufficient.

Pruning Your Weigela

Your Weigela shrub should be trimmed back every year in late spring. Regular pruning will aid the growth of newer, healthier branches and can contribute to more prolific blooming. Simply prune those branches back that are older than two years by about one third. A sharp, clean cut is always much less stressful than sawing or bending and breaking, so having the proper tools is not only important but will save you time and possible injury. The size of the branches to be pruned will determine whether you need a pruner or a lopper. At this time we also recommend you remove excess brush, mulch and leaves from around your weigela shrub, allowing those close-to-the-surface roots easy access to nutrients, air and water.

Now, all there is left to do is enjoy the view.

Happy growing!