How to Grow and Care for Weigela Bush
Weigela bush is a beautiful low-maintenance shrub that will attract butterflies and hummingbirds, this plant can be grown with much success in the home garden, and is a member of the honeysuckle family. The weigela shrub is native to Asia comes in many varieties including, ‘Wine and Rose’, ‘Crimson Kisses’, ‘Czechmark Sunny Side Up’, ‘Sonic Bloom Pink’, ‘Golden Jackpot’ etc…
Weigela Bush/shrub grows dense and is a Deciduous plant reaching heights from 6-10ft. tall and 9-12ft. wide while the dwarf grows to about 3 ft. These bushes are easy to transplant and are used mostly for mass planting in a shrub border or as a foundation plant.
If you have an interest in how to grow and care for weigela bush then continue reading as we take a more in-depth look at this amazing shrub that is a garden wonder.
How to grow weigela bush
Growing weigela bush is not hard at all, following these simple steps will ensure that you are successful.
1. Weigela bush loves the full sun but can also thrive in areas that get a bit of afternoon shade which will encourage flower bloom.
2. Weigela bush can thrive in a wide range of soils that are well-drained but holds moisture, a soil pH level of 5.5 and 7.5 is ideal, mildly acidic, or alkaline.
3. Weigela bush needs deep watering regularly in order to establish, once shrub matures decrease manual watering especially when the rainy season arrives. Manual watering, however, may be carried out during the dry hot summer months.
4. Right before the new growth appears on the plant once a year during spring apply a liquid balanced fertilizer that will supply weigela bush with the needed nutrients.
5. A 2 to 3-inch layer of mulch will not only help in beautification but will also aid in moisture retention, suppressing weeds, insulate or protect the roots during the colder months also as the mulch breaks down will add nutrients to the soil.
How to us weigela bush
1. Install weigela bush as a backdrop in a garden plant bed.
2. Use weigela as a specimen plant.
3. Weigela can be used as a centerpiece.
4. Dwarf weigela can be grown in a container
5. Place container-grown weigela bush on your porch, patio, or deck providing there is adequate lighting.
6. Weigela bush can be installed alongside a fence or wall.
7. Install these bushes at the house’s corners.
8 Can be used as a border plant.
Common pests of weigela bush
Keeping an eye out for these pests and treating them as soon as spotted will ensure that your weigela bush maintains its health. Spider mites, scale insects, mealybugs, and aphids can become a threat. The use of horticultural oil or neem oil will bring control, for spider mites a miticide will also offer help. Aphids can also be controlled with a strong spray of water or insecticidal soap.
Leafrollers: The caterpillar or the pupa folds on the inside of the leaf attaching with threadlike silk, these caterpillars overwinter as a pupa or egg depending on the species and emerges in the spring feeding on the fruits and the leaves. To bring control consult with your local cooperative extension service for recommendations of insecticides.
Japanese Beetles: Visit your garden early in the morning handpick and throw beetles into a container of soapy water will bring elimination.
Weigela bush diseases
Common diseases of weigela bush are gray mold which is a fungal disease that is encouraged by Botrytis cinerea which is a pathogen. This disease affects the leaves and the stems along with the flower blooms. Lesions develop on the petals causing the blooms to turn brown. This fungal disease that is responsible for the decline in weigela bush overwinters in infected flowers that fall from the plant. Control of Botrytis cinerea involves keeping the plant bed free of debris by raking and properly disposing of it.
Black spot is another disease to look for, this fungal disease because of rainy, humid, or hot weather appears as spots that are circular and black on the upper and undersides of the leaves. The outer circle of the margins is ragged and may enlarge causing the leaves to fall from the tree. Control measures include avoiding overhead irrigation by watering from the soil level, properly disposing of debris by raking keeping the plant bed clean, and applying 2 t0 3 inches layer of mulch around the base or trunk of the plant to prevent spores from splashing in an upward direction.
As the name depicts rust is encouraged by a number of fungus diseases that cause rust-colored spots on the stalks and the leaves, the use of a fungicide labeled for this disease will bring control. Before using fungicides read and follow the manufacturer’s directions.
Powdery mildew is caused by a fungus that appears as a whitish to grayish powdery substance on the leaves surface. The leaves may also curl, proper air circulation of plants by spacing and pruning will avoid or bring control. A recommended fungicide for this disease may also offer help.
Anthracnose is a fungus disease that appears as brown spots on the plant’s leaves with purple edges, these spots turn black in the center followed by yellowing and leaf drop. The fungus that causes this disease overwinters in the plant debris, to bring control keep the garden beds clean along with avoiding overhead irrigation which can spread fungus spores, apply 2 t0 3 inches of mulch around the base of the tree to prevent the fungus from splashing from the soil onto the plant.
The environment
Too much water in the case of overwatering or heavy rain where the soil drains poorly can become an issue, which can lead to root rot along with blisters and bumps that develop on the leaves because of excessive water uptake. The overuse of fertilizers can also lead to weigela bush decline.
Pruning weigela bush
When pruning mature weigela bush the removal of the older interior branches during late winter will improve the plant’s vigor so come next spring bush will become fuller with more flower blooms. Pruning procedures will also control the plant’s growth while helping it to maintain its natural form.
The final word on weigela care maintenance
The weigela bush makes a great plant in your garden area, these shrubs will go to work for you providing your landscape with that much-needed flavor giving that color bloom. As we discussed taking care of weigela is that simple, for a plant that is low maintenance and easy to care for this is the plant for you. Go ahead and give this shrub a try, you will be glad that you did because a small investment with this plant type will pay off giving you what you are looking for.
About the author
Norman loves being in the garden, both at home and for his job....
he is 'Natures Little helper' being outdoors, growing his vegetables and flowers from an early age.
Now having spent over 22 years in the profession he want to give some of his knowledge to others...
his vast array of hints and tips you will find scattered over this site will help you no end growing plants in your garden.