Weigela shrub - ornamental flowering plant for the garden

Weigela is a shrub that has unusual inflorescences that look like bells. Bright and colorful weigela shrubs are in demand among gardeners and florists due to their compactness and variety of varieties.

The origin and appearance of the plant

Weigela is an upright ornamental shrub that can reach a height of 1.5 m. Representatives of some varieties are 3 m high. The plant has elongated leaves with sharp ends, on which veins are visible. The edges of the leaves are smooth. Depending on the varieties, the leaf color is green and reddish.

Weigela - a lush flowering shrub

The large flowers of the shrub are bell-shaped. Weigela has multi-colored inflorescences, but most often white, delicate bed shades of pink and red are common.

Shrub flowering descriptions

Weigela is a shrub that blooms twice in one season. The first time weigela begins to bloom from mid-May. Flowers usually grow on last year's shoots. A feature of the shrub is that its buds bloom even before the foliage appears. The flower looks unusual and beautiful, with many bright large inflorescences on bare branches. The first flowering stops by mid-June.

The second bloom occurs from August to September. The subsequent is not as abundant as the first, flowers appear only on the shoots of the current year.

Transplant after purchase in open ground

In order for weigela to bloom beautifully, it is necessary to properly plant it in open ground.

What is needed for landing

It is important to disinfect your gardening tools before planting, otherwise you can get an infection. It is necessary to prepare drainage; for this, gravel and sand are taken in equal proportions. You will also need fertilizers: humus, compost or a special complex preparation for ornamental shrubs containing the required amount of mineral and organic substances. Seedlings of flowers must be chosen healthy, with an intact root system.

Choosing the best place

The best landing site is an elevated area. It is necessary to choose one that will be protected from the cold strong northerly winds. The main thing in caring for a weigela is to protect the shrub from drafts that damage its large delicate flowers. Therefore, it is better to choose the south side for growing a flower, which will be well lit by the sun. The soil on the site should be loose and rich in humus.

When planting a flower in open ground, the root system must not be damaged

Step-by-step planting process

To plant flowers, it is necessary to dig deep holes of half a meter. They should also be half a meter wide. The distance between the holes is 70-80 cm. The bottom of each hole must be covered with a drainage layer of sand and gravel. It is necessary to avoid stagnation of moisture in the soil. Fertilizer is placed on top of the drainage, only after that the seedling is placed in the hole and covered with earth. Then the bush is watered abundantly with slightly cool and soft water.

Reproduction

Weigela is a shrub that propagates in several ways: seeds and cuttings. However, it is not recommended to plant seeds in boxes. Experienced gardeners advise the sprouts that emerged from fallen seeds to be transplanted in the spring to the desired area. This method is laborious and unsafe, therefore, the propagation of a bush by cuttings remains the most common and proven method. The description of this procedure should be given special attention.

Propagation by cuttings

The cuttings should be green and lignified. The procedure is best carried out in the spring season, so that buds do not have time to form on the shoots. The stalk is cut from the top of the bush, its length should be about 15 cm. Then the leaves are removed from it, only 2-3 leaves should be left. It is recommended to treat the cuttings with a growth stimulator.

The growing substrate is prepared from sand and peat. It is poured into containers, then the stalk is placed to a depth of 1 cm. Now it is necessary to insulate the plant, so it is covered with a jar or wrapped in plastic bags. It is very important to regularly water and air the cutting, then in 1-2 months it will be able to give roots.

Care

It is not difficult to care for a weigela, the main thing is to adhere to certain rules. For abundant and lush flowering, you need to provide the plant with a lot of natural light and monitor the looseness of the soil.

Watering mode

The plant does not differ in its love of moisture. Requires regular watering during dry periods. Mulched areas are watered only as needed, when the topsoil under the bushes dries up.

Top dressing

Weigela is a shrub that requires organic and mineral fertilizers for good flowering. If they were introduced during planting, the plant can do without additional fertilizing for the next 1.5-2 years.

The bush is fertilized with Ammophos and Diammophos. They contain the required amount of minerals: phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen, magnesium. A good supply of nutrients is provided by the preparation Kemira-Lux.

Special care is required during flowering

Features of care during the flowering period

In order for the shrub to bloom magnificently and brightly, special care must be given to it during flowering. It is worth increasing the level of phosphorus and potassium in the formulations of dressings. It also requires regular loosening of the soil to provide oxygen to the root system.

During flowering, due to strong cold winds, sometimes weigela can lose its flowers. Some gardeners advise making a protective wall on the north side of the bush. For this, two pillars are placed and a dense material or film is stretched between them.

Features of care during the rest period

During the dormant period, the plant does not need to be disturbed often. The main care is the constant removal of emerging weeds and loosening of the soil. It is necessary to rinse very carefully so as not to damage the weigela root system. Before and after flowering, pruning of shoots is necessary to form a bush.

Preparing for winter

Since the shrub is a perennial plant, it needs warmth in winter. In late autumn, before the start of frost, soil is poured around the trunk to a height of 20 cm. Weigela branches are bent to the ground and tied with a strong rope. In this position, the shrub is covered with roofing material and firmly fixed.

Planting and caring for the weigela shrub does not require special care, however, after simple actions, it will give a bright and abundant flowering. A low decorative tree will decorate the garden and will delight you with its unusually beautiful view for many years.