Planting Weigela

Weigela (Weigela florida) is a gorgeous flowering shrub available in a variety of habits, colors, and sizes. Weigela comes from the honeysuckle family and is loved for their abundant, tubular shaped flowers that attract pollinators, especially hummingbirds.

Weigela winter hardiness ranges from zones 4-8 depending on variety. The shrubs are deciduous and will lose their leaves in winter. Weigela is a low maintenance, easy-to-grow shrub that prefers sun to part shade locations. 

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What you Need to Plant Weigela

  • Shovel 
  • Compost 
  • Garden Spade
  • The perfect location or container
  • Water source

Where to Plant Weigela

Weigela can acclimate to many different locations but prefers well-draining soil in full sun to part shade exposure. When planted in more full sun locations, Weigela is more floriferous. Varieties of Weigela with variegated foliage can burn in too sunny a spot and will prefer more part shade locations. Weigela can tolerate various soil types but prefers slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5. Choose a location with adequate space for the full maturity of the variety of Weigela you have chosen. 

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Weigela Plant Spacing 

Check the height and spread of the variety of Weigela you have chosen to determine your plant spacing allowing enough space for your plant to grow into its mature sizing. Choose a variety that fits the needs of your garden with larger varieties for borders in larger landscapes and smaller dwarf varieties for small yards or containers.

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Steps to Plant Weigela 

Step 1: Choose a good location for your Weigela plant 

Step 2: Dig a hole 2-3 times as wide as the root ball of your Weigela keeping the soil from digging

Step 3: Add a few spades worth of compost to the bottom of your newly dug hole

Step 4: Place Weigela in the center of your hole and backfill with soil from digging hole

Step 5: Be sure not to plant the crown too deep, allow it to be above the soil line mounding the backfill around the crown.

Step 6: Water in well 

When to Plant Weigela 

Choose a time in spring or early fall to plant your Weigela. Planting in the heat of summer is not advisable. The best time of day to plant is in morning or evening outside of the full heat and sun of the day.

Transplanting Weigela

Weigela plants are faster growers than some shrubs and can outgrow their garden location if cramped with other plants. If your Weigela has outgrown its location, it will be important to transplant your Weigela for the health of the plant. The best time of year to transplant your Weigela is in early fall. Prune the roots of the plant you want to transplant a few weeks in advance of transplanting.

When you are ready to transplant, carefully dig up the entire root system that has been trimmed into a more manageable size to dig up from the root pruning, and follow the above planting directions for its new planting location or container. Weigela cannot be divided but can be propagated from cuttings mid growing season. 

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 Author Katie Endicott - Published 1-16-2022