With the arrival of spring, gardeners are spoilt for choice when it comes to picking out beautiful flowers and shrubs to add colour and scent in the garden.
While everyone has their favourites, the weigela, originating from Asia, has long been admired. Although there are several lovely varieties, Weigela ‘Florida Variegata’ (often referred to as Apple Blossom) is popular, and easy-to-grow.
A compact, deciduous shrub, known for its luscious and profuse pink flowers, its variegated leaves are mid-green with creamy edges. A hardy plant, it thrives in full sun to partial shade and likes well-drained soil but can tolerate a range of soil conditions.
Weigelas are known for attracting birds and butterflies and are commonly used in mixed plantings, as backdrops, or as hedges.
To plant, dig a hole twice the size of the pot, add sheep pellets and compost to the soil then water deeply after planting. Mulching will help retain moisture.
Care is relatively low-maintenance but trimming it back occasionally will maintain shape and encourage new growth. Pruning is best done after flowering.
For those who want to boost their number of weigela plants, the best way to propagate is by taking cuttings from soft, new growth in the early summer or from the mature hardwood stems in the autumn.
Both types of cuttings will (or should) result in shrubs that are identical to the mother plant.
Although these old-fashioned shrubs are easy to grow, gardeners occasionally find they can be affected by common pests such as aphids, spider mites and scale.
Regular monitoring and preventative measures, such as using insecticidal soap or neem oil, are often enough to manage infestations. If pests become a problem, consult a gardening resource for more specific treatment options.
