Weigela is a shrub that has unusual inflorescences similar to bells. Bright and colorful weigel shrubs are in demand among gardeners and florists due to their compactness and variety of varieties.
The origin and appearance of the plant
Weigela is an upright ornamental bush that can reach a height of 1.5 m. Representatives of some varieties are 3 m in height. The plant has elongated leaves with sharp ends, on which veins are visible. The edges of the leaves are smooth. Depending on the varieties, the color of the leaf is green and reddish.
Weigela - lush flowering shrub
Large flowers of the bush are bell-shaped. Weigela has multi-colored inflorescences, but most often distributed in white, delicate bed shades of pink and red.
For your information! The plant is characterized by a change in the color of the corolla during its flowering period.
Descriptions of flowering shrubs
Weigela is a shrub that blooms twice in one season. The first time weigela begins to bloom in mid-May. Flowers usually grow on last year's shoots. A feature of the shrub is that its buds open before foliage. The flower looks unusual and beautiful, with many bright large inflorescences on bare branches. The first flowering stops by mid-June.
The second flowering occurs from August to September. The subsequent is not as plentiful as the first, the flowers appear only on the shoots of the current year.
Transplant after purchase in open ground
In order for the weigel to bloom beautifully, it is necessary to properly plant it in open ground.
Important! Planting is done in the spring, when the soil on the site is fully warmed up.
What you need for landing
Before planting, it is important to sanitize garden equipment, otherwise you can bring an infection. It is necessary to prepare the drainage, for this gravel and sand are taken in equal proportions. Fertilizers will also be required: humus, compost or a special complex preparation for ornamental shrubs containing the necessary amount of mineral and organic substances. Flower seedlings must be chosen healthy, with an intact root system.
Choosing the best place
The best place to land is the elevated area. You must choose one that will be protected from the cold strong north winds. The main thing in caring for the weigel is to protect the shrub from drafts that damage its large delicate flowers. Therefore, it is better to choose the south side for growing the flower, which will be well lit by the sun. The soil on the site should be loose and rich in humus.
When planting a flower in open ground, do not damage the root system
Step-by-step landing process
To plant flowers, you need to dig deep holes in half a meter. In width, they should also be half a meter. The distance between the holes is 70-80 cm. The bottom of each hole must be covered with a drainage layer of sand and gravel. It is necessary to avoid stagnation of moisture in the soil. Fertilizer is placed on top of the drainage, only after that the seedling is placed in the hole and covered with soil. Then the bush is abundantly watered with a little cool and soft water.
Important! You can’t tighten the earth when planting, it must remain loose.
Breeding
Weigela is a shrub that propagates in several ways: seeds and cuttings. However, planting seeds in boxes is not recommended. Experienced gardeners advise sprouts emerging from fallen seeds to be transplanted in the spring to the desired site. This method is time-consuming and unsafe, therefore, the propagation of shrubs by cuttings remains the most common and proven. The description of this procedure must be given special attention.
Propagation by cuttings
Cuttings should be green and lignified. The procedure is best done in the spring season so that the buds do not have time to form buds. The cuttings are cut from the top of the bush, its length should be about 15 cm. Then leaves are removed from it, it is necessary to leave only 2-3 leaves. It is recommended to carry out the treatment with a stimulator of growth of the cut of the cut.
The substrate for growing is made from sand and peat. It is poured into containers, then the stem is placed to a depth of 1 cm. Now it is necessary to insulate the plant, so it is covered with a jar or wrapped in plastic bags. It is very important to regularly water and ventilate the stalk, then in 1-2 months it will be able to give roots.
Important! Weigel should be grown in containers for another 1.5 years, only then planted in open ground.
Care
It’s not difficult to take care of the weigela, the main thing is to adhere to certain rules. For abundant and lush flowering, you need to provide the plant with a lot of natural light and monitor the looseness of the soil.
Watering mode
The plant is not distinguished by a love of moisture. It requires regular watering in dry periods. Mulch areas are watered only as needed when the topsoil under the shrubs dries.
Important! The flower should not be watered with cold running water. It should be slightly cool and soft. It is good for irrigation suitable rain or river water.
Top dressing
Weigela is a shrub that needs good organic and mineral fertilizers for good flowering. If they were introduced during planting, the plant can do without feeding for the next 1.5-2 years.
The bush is fertilized with ammophos and diammophos. They contain the necessary amount of mineral substances: phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen, magnesium. A good supply of nutrients gives the drug Kemira Suite.
During flowering, special care is required.
Features of care during the flowering period
In order for the bush to bloom lushly and vividly, special care must be given to it during flowering. It is worth increasing the level of phosphorus and potassium in the composition of top dressing. Regular loosening of the soil is also required for oxygen access to the root system.
During flowering, due to strong cold winds, sometimes weigels can lose their flowers. Some gardeners advise making a protective wall on the north side of the bush. For this, two columns are placed and a dense material or film is stretched between them.
Important! During flowering, it is necessary to suspend the feeding of veigels with nitrogen-containing fertilizers. They negatively affect the condition of the buds.
Features of care at rest
During dormancy, the plant does not need to be disturbed often. The main care is to constantly remove emerging weeds and loosen the soil. Weeding must be very careful so as not to damage the root system of the weigela. Before flowering and after, pruning of shoots is necessary for the formation of a bush.
Winter preparations
Since the shrub is a perennial plant, it needs warmth in winter. In late autumn, before the start of frost, around the trunk soil is poured to a height of 20 cm. Weigel branches are bent to the ground and tied with a strong rope. In this position, the shrub is covered with roofing material and firmly fixed.
For your information! Weigela can recover, even with shoots frostbitten in winter.
Planting and care of the Weigela shrub does not require special care, but after simple actions will give a bright and abundant flowering. A small decorative tree will decorate the garden and will delight you with its unusually beautiful view for many years.
