Weigela: Reproduction, Planting And Care

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

Weigela is one of the abundantly flowering deciduous shrubs, whose presence on the garden plot is a source of pride for its owner, since in our climate it is quite difficult to preserve this culture, and even more so to enjoy its flowering and pleasant aroma. The secrets of successful cultivation of weigela lie not only in choosing the right variety, but also in the peculiarities of the soil composition, keeping conditions and regular care

Weigela is a highly ornamental plant, it will be appropriate in gardens made in any stylistic direction. Shrubs with red, pink, yellow, cream or white flowers will look spectacular in group and mixed plantings, undersized forms will fit into rock gardens and rockeries, as well as in parterre lawns. Weigela is also suitable for creating hedges.

Growing conditions

Weigela is a light-loving culture, prefers well-lit areas. There are varieties that tolerate light shading with ease. The plant has a negative attitude to cold northerly winds. Weigela is demanding to soil conditions; loose, fertile and moderately moist soils without compaction are desirable for its cultivation.

Most of the crop varieties are relatively winter-hardy, however, in frosty and little snowy winters, plants can freeze slightly. Over time, the winter hardiness of shrubs increases significantly. After damage, the plants recover quickly and bloom in the same year.

Reproduction and planting

Like many ornamental shrubs, weigelu is propagated by seeds, green and lily cuttings. Sowing seeds is carried out in early spring in special seedling boxes filled with a substrate consisting of garden soil and well-washed river sand. Immediately after sowing, watering is carried out using a spray bottle, the boxes are covered with glass or plastic wrap, and transferred to a warm room with an air temperature of 25-26C. Seed stratification is not required, which is a definite plus. As a rule, seedlings appear in 3-4 weeks.

Green cuttings are the most efficient propagation method. Cuttings are made in late April - early May, but always before the flower buds are laid. Cuttings are cut into one internode, their length should be about 10-12 cm. The cuttings are treated with growth stimulants (for example, heteroauxin), and kept in a dark room with an air temperature of 18-20C for 12 hours. Then the cuttings are planted for rooting in a peat-sand mixture and covered with polyethylene. Watering is carried out twice a day. Roots usually appear in 25-40 days. Young plants are transplanted to a permanent place after 1, 5-2 years.

Weigela seedlings are planted in April. Autumn planting is not prohibited. Planting pits are prepared in 2-3 weeks, their depth should be about 50-55 cm, and a width of 45-50 cm. A drainage layer in the form of gravel and sand is laid on the bottom, then a mixture consisting of fertile soil, humus and sand is poured (2: 1: 2). The seedling is lowered into the pit in an inclined position, sprinkled with soil, tamped, watered, and the near-stem zone is mulched with peat. When planting, the root collar is not buried.

Care

Weigela care consists in systematic watering, top dressing, weeding and loosening of the soil near the trunks. Young plants are especially in need of attention. For better growth in early spring, shrubs are pruned, dry, slightly frozen and diseased branches are removed. Shoots with faded flowers are shortened, and unproductive branches are also cut off. During the season, two dressings are carried out: the first - immediately after the snow cover disappears, the second - during the formation of flower buds. For top dressing, you can use potassium sulfate, double superphosphate and urea.

For the winter, the plants are wrapped with modern non-woven materials, and the trunks are mulched with a thick layer of peat or sawdust. Some gardeners bend the shrubs to the ground and cover them with spruce branches, and in winter they periodically sprinkle snow on the plants. These procedures will allow Weigela to easily endure cold winters. The culture also needs preventive treatments against pests and diseases. Ideal for these purposes are: Bordeaux liquid, infusions of garlic, hot pepper, wormwood or potato tops.