2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Weigela early (lat. Weigela praecox) - ornamental shrub; species of the Weigela genus of the Honeysuckle family. It is found naturally in China, Korea and the Russian Far East. Typical places are scrub, undergrowth, rocky slopes and forest edges. Grows both singly and in a group with other shrubs.
Characteristics of culture
Weigela early is a flowering ornamental shrub up to 2 m high with a spherical crown, brownish densely leafy branches and reddish young shoots. Leaves are bright green, whole, pubescent, elliptical or ovate-elliptical, serrate-toothed along the edge, pointed at the tips, up to 7 cm long. On the reverse side, the leaves are lighter in color. In the autumn, the foliage becomes ocher-yellow or brown-yellow. Leaves remain on the branches almost until snow appears.
The flowers are medium-sized, pubescent, drooping, funnel-bell-shaped, bright pink, slight yellowness may be present in the pharynx, sit on drooping peduncles 1-3 pieces each. The fruit is a capsule, up to 2.5 cm long. Early flowering of weigela occurs in the third decade of May - early June, flowers are formed on biennial lateral shoots. Abundant flowering, lasts 10-30 days. The fruits ripen in late August - early September. The seeds are suitable for sowing and have a fairly high germination rate.
Unlike other species of the genus, early weigela is able to develop normally on rocky and stony slopes, but subject to systematic moisture and timely application of mineral fertilizers. The species is relatively frost-resistant, but in cold winters it needs shelter in the form of a frame covered with lutrasil or any other airtight material. Outwardly, the species under consideration is similar to Middendorf's weigela. It differs only in more abundant flowering, color of flowers and the presence of pubescence on the leaves.
Has a form referred to as Variegata. It is represented by shrubs up to 2 m high with a spreading crown, elliptical smooth leaves with creamy white or yellowish spots on the surface. The flowers of this form are very large, pink with a yellow central part. Unopened buds have a dark red hue. It blooms at the same time as the main species, sometimes a week earlier. Highly decorative form, widely used in landscaping gardens and personal backyards. Good in uncut hedges.
Reproduction
As mentioned above, early weigela seeds have a high germination rate - up to 77%. The seeds can be stored for up to a year. Sowing is carried out in the spring in pots or any other containers. Pre-planting stratification is not required for seeds. Crops are moistened abundantly and covered with foil or glass. Seedlings appear in 15-20 days. With the appearance of two true leaves on the seedlings, they dive. Annual seedlings of early weigela have a stem up to 7 cm high, apical and axillary buds and 3-4 pairs of leaves. The following spring, containers with seedlings are taken out into the garden in a semi-shaded place with diffused light. In the third year, seedlings are planted in open ground.
Good results can be obtained by grafting. Both summer and winter cuttings are suitable. Young shoots are cut into green cuttings. The leaves on them are shortened by 1/2 part. Cuttings are cut into one internode, the upper cut is made oblique above the upper leaf cushion, and the lower cut is straight - under the lower one. For a couple of hours, the cuttings are placed in water, after which they are treated with growth stimulants. Then the cuttings are planted in a mixture of sand and peat. The embedding depth is 1 cm. A plastic wrap is stretched over it, which is periodically removed for ventilation. For successful rooting, cuttings must be regularly moistened (at least 2 times a day).
Application
Weigela early was widely used in landscape design due to its decorativeness and versatility. They are ideal for single and group plantings, suitable for decorating rocky gardens. The early weigela looks spectacular in a hedge. In mixed plantings, the view is in perfect harmony with spirea, cotoneaster, barberry, quince, viburnum, cypress and juniper. Weigela early is amazing on the lawn, it also fits into the community of large trees with an openwork crown. Combines with perennial and annual flowers, as well as bulbous crops.
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