Old-fashioned weigela

Weigela florida is native to Korea and northern China. Weigelas are a group of deciduous shrubs grown mainly for their blooms and foliage. Their resistance to insect pests and diseases also makes them popular.

They prefer full sun but do not fare well in summer droughts. They need to be planted in a site protected from the prevailing winds in winter, to avoid disfiguring winter injury. Fortunately, they bloom in summer on the current year's wood.

Spreading shrub, with many branches. Can grow to 3 m. Dense foliage, with elliptical, dark green leaves. The single, funnel-shaped flowers, 3 to 5 cm long, are pink, red or white. They bloom in late spring and early summer, and are borne all along the stems if the tips have escaped winter damage.