Weigela

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Weigela (lat. Weigela) - flowering decorative culture; a large genus of deciduous shrubs belonging to the Honeysuckle family. Under natural conditions, weigela grows in the eastern regions of Asia, several species are found in the Far East.

Description

Weigela is represented by ornamental erect shrubs that boast long, abundant and vibrant flowering. The shrub is equipped with dense leafy shoots. The foliage is green, soft to the touch, velvety, can be elliptical or ovoid, with jagged or serrated edges, petiolar, less often sessile, have no stipules, alternate

The flowers are quite large, depending on the variety, they are white, cream, yellow, purple, pink or red. The flowers are small, single, or collected in funnel-shaped or bell-shaped inflorescences. The flowers are equipped with a five-lobed calyx, the petals are separate, sometimes fused in the lower part.

The ovary is two-celled, slightly elongated. The fruit is represented by polyspermous woody ovate capsules, narrowed towards the top and opening two valves when ripe.

The subtleties of growing

Weigela is a sun-loving culture, blooms well and actively develops in well-lit areas, although there are species and varieties in the culture that accept openwork shade. The shrub has a negative attitude towards strong winds, it does not put forward special requirements for soil conditions. Prefers light, loose and nutritious soils, without waterlogging and compaction. Most species of weigela are winter-hardy, however, in cold winters with little snow, annual shoots freeze out.

Breeding features

Weigela is propagated by the seed method, lignified and summer cuttings. Sowing seeds is carried out in the spring in seedling boxes filled with loose, moist and nutritious soil. Seed preparation is not required. The crops are covered with polyethylene or glass and placed in a warm place. With good care, seedlings hatch after 25-30 days.

Green cuttings are made in June. Cutting with lignified cuttings is possible, but it is considered ineffective. Cuttings are cut into one internode, their length should be about 10-12 cm. The cuttings should be straight. Each cuttings should have a pair of leaves and one internode.

Before planting for rooting, the cuttings are dipped into a solution of growth stimulants for several hours, then a special sandy-peat substrate is planted obliquely. Caring for cuttings consists of watering and airing. As a rule, the roots on the cuttings appear after 1-1.5 months. Rooted cuttings are planted in a new place after 1, 5-2 years.

Weigela seedlings are planted in early spring. Planting in the fall is not recommended, since the seedlings do not have time to take root before persistent frost, and eventually die. The planting pit is prepared in 14-20 days, its depth should be about 55-60 cm, and its width should be at least 40 cm.

At the bottom of the pit, a drainage layer of gravel or river sand is formed, a hill is arranged on top of a substrate made up of garden soil, humus or compost and washed fine-grained sand. The root collar of a weigela seedling cannot be buried. Immediately after planting, the soil is abundantly shed and mulched

Care

Weigela belongs to moisture-loving crops, in drought it requires abundant and frequent watering. Top dressing plays an equally important role, 2 dressings are enough per season (1 in early spring when the snow melts, the second at the time of flowering.

With the onset of cold weather, the shrubs are gently pressed to the soil surface, covered and insulated with spruce branches. In winter, snow is poured onto the weigela for additional relief. Weigela also needs pruning: sanitary - it is carried out in the spring, forming - immediately after flowering. Timely it is necessary to remove faded inflorescences.

Usage

Weigela is a flowering culture that will decorate any site. Weigela looks good in single and group plantings, suitable for creating a hedge. Low-growing varieties fit perfectly into rock gardens and rockeries, and are great on lawns. Weigels can be combined with conifers, for example, junipers and spruce, as well as with ornamental shrubs and trees - barberries, viburnum, cotoneaster and spirea.