Weigela Profusely

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

Weigela abundantly flowering (lat. Weigela floribunda) - flowering shrub; a representative of the Weigela genus of the Honeysuckle family. A native of Japan, it also grows there in natural conditions. Used in decorative gardening, suitable for growing in central Russia.

Characteristics of culture

Weigela abundantly flowering - an ornamental shrub up to 3 m high with young shoots pubescent over the entire surface and gracefully curved branches. Leaves are green, simple, whole, petiolate, rarely pubescent, oblong-ovate or elliptical, serrate along the edge, pointed at the tips, with a wide-wedge-shaped base, up to 10 cm long. Flowers are medium-sized, sessile, pubescent, at first dark red, later I acquire a light pink color.

The fruit is a pubescent capsule, does not ripen in the middle lane, contains small winged seeds. Blooms in late May - early June. Weigela is abundantly flowering moisture-loving, winter-hardy, fast growing, quite demanding on soil conditions. In the southern regions it hibernates without shelter. The species is highly decorative, used in rare group and single plantings, looks great against the background of tall trees with an openwork crown. Weigela has a decorative form - f. grandiflora. It is represented by low shrubs with large brownish-red flowers.

Features of growing and planting

It is preferable to plant a weigela with abundant flowering in sunny or slightly shaded areas with diffused light. Wind protection is encouraged as strong gusts can damage leaves and flowers. Plants can be placed on the south side of the house or along the plantings. Planting is recommended in the spring. 2-3-year-old seedlings are suitable for planting. They need to be purchased only in specialized nurseries, and not in the nearest market. The optimal distance between shrubs is 1.5-2.5 m.

The root collar is not buried during planting, but is left 2-3 cm above the soil level. The dimensions of the planting pit are 50 * 50 cm + 15-20 cm drainage layer (if necessary). Drainage is required on heavy clayey and waterlogged soils, as well as areas with a close occurrence of groundwater. If we talk about the autumn planting, then opinions differ. But in fact, during the autumn planting, the seedlings do not have time to take root and die in the very first winter. Many gardeners advise to drop seedlings in a secluded place until spring, and cover most of the crown with soil.

Weigela abundantly flowering, like other species, is very demanding on soil conditions. She will not tolerate poor, dry, swampy and saline soils. The soil mixture intended for laying a hole is made up of leaf and sod land and sand in a ratio (2: 1: 2). After planting, shrubs need careful care. The soil at the foot should be loose, moderately moist and protected from weeds. The soil is loosened after each watering while removing weeds. Mulching with peat or sawdust will help facilitate maintenance. The thickness of the mulch is at least 7 cm.

Care

In addition to standard care procedures, namely weeding, loosening and watering, abundant weigela cannot do without top dressing. During the season, it is necessary to carry out 2-3 feeding. In the spring, urea (20 g per bush), potassium salt (10 g) and superphosphate (20 g) are added over the snow. At the time of the formation of flower buds, plants are fed with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers, for example, potassium sulfate (30 g per bush) and double superphosphate (30 g). Immediately after fertilization, the weigela is watered abundantly (at the rate of 10 liters per bush). The third feeding is optional, but desirable. It can be done both after pruning and closer to autumn.

The abundance of flowering and growth activity largely depends on pruning (sanitary and formative). Both pruning is done annually. Once every three years, thickening shoots are removed from shrubs. You can skip this procedure if you pinch the green shoots annually. Sanitary pruning is carried out in the spring, and shaping pruning - after flowering, but in no case during it. With untimely care and unfavorable climatic conditions, weigela is often affected by pests and diseases. One of the most dangerous crop pests is aphids. If pests are found, the bushes are treated with a 0.4% soap solution or a 0.2% solution of karbofos. The second drug can be used for prophylactic spraying.