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Old Fashioned Weigela
Weigela florida
Easy · Beginner friendlyAbout Old Fashioned Weigela
Weigela florida is a deciduous shrub native to northern China and Korea, cherished for its profuse display of tubular flowers in late spring to early summer. Growing 6 to 10 feet tall with arching branches, it produces clusters of funnel-shaped flowers in shades of pink, red, rose, and white that are magnets for hummingbirds and butterflies. Modern cultivars have expanded the color palette to include deep burgundy-leafed varieties like 'Wine and Roses' and compact reblooming types like 'Sonic Bloom.' The shrub blooms primarily on old wood but some newer cultivars also flower on new growth, extending the season. Weigela is easy to grow in full sun with well-drained soil and is quite cold-hardy. It benefits from renewal pruning after flowering — removing the oldest stems at ground level keeps the plant vigorous and floriferous. While it offers little fall color, the late-spring flower display is so generous that it has remained a garden favorite since its introduction to the West in 1845.
- Low-maintenance
- Wildlife-friendly
How to care for Old Fashioned Weigela
Watering
- Springevery 5 days
- Summerevery 4 days
- Fallevery 10 days
- Winterevery 30 days
Soil · Rich & loamy
- Top dressingBark mulch15%
- Main mixRich loam + compost 3:170%
- DrainageGravel15%
Use fully finished compost — fresh compost burns roots.
FERTILIZER
Balanced Feed 14-14-14
An even feed covers all three needs at once, keeping leaves, roots and blooms moving together with nothing pushed out of balance.
- Nitrogen · Leaves
- Phosphorus · Roots + Blooms
- Potassium · Strength
- Springevery 45 days
At a Glance
- NativeEast Asia
- Height6–10 ft (1.8–3 m)
- Spread9–12 ft (2.7–3.7 m)
- Flower colorPink, Red, White
- Foliage colorGreen, Purple, Variegated, Yellow
- SoilLoamy, Well-drained
- LocationsYard
Bloom time
BLOOM CYCLE
Peak bloom
May, Aug, Sep
Tubular pink-red flowers in late spring on old wood; prune after flowering. Reblooming cultivars flower again on new growth in late summer
Fragrance
NO FRAGRANCE
No notable fragrance.
Toxicity
No toxicity has been reported for this plant. Still, it is wise to keep pets from chewing on any houseplant.
Educational information, not medical or veterinary advice. If exposure is suspected, contact a doctor or veterinarian.
DISTRIBUTION
- Native
- Introduced
- East Asia
History
Weigela florida is native to northern China, Korea, and Japan. It was introduced to Western horticulture in 1845 by Scottish plant hunter Robert Fortune, who collected it in China while working for the Royal Horticultural Society and later the East India Company. The genus Weigela honors German botanist Christian Ehrenfried Weigel (1748-1831). The species has an arching, fountain-shaped growth habit and produces its trumpet-shaped pink, rose, or white flowers in late spring, with a lighter reblooming flush in late summer on some modern cultivars.
French breeder Victor Lemoine of Nancy — also responsible for modern lilac and Philadelphus cultivars — produced influential hybrids in the late 19th century. Contemporary horticulture has been dominated by dark-foliage cultivars, particularly Proven Winners' "Wine & Roses" (2000) and the Monet, Sonic Bloom, and Spilled Wine series, which combine deep purple-red leaves with pink or rose flowers. The species is considered mildly invasive in a few localities of the US Northeast but is not a major invasive problem.
It is a valuable hummingbird nectar source in North American gardens. Weigela was introduced to European gardens from China by Scottish plant hunter Robert Fortune in 1845 and became an instant sensation. It was named after German botanist Christian Ehrenfried Weigel by Carl Peter Thunberg. The plant was a Victorian garden favorite, and after a period of declining popularity, modern reblooming and dark-leaved cultivars have made it one of the best-selling shrubs of the 21st century.
Symbolism & meaning
What It Symbolizes
Old Fashioned Weigela is generosity at the front door, its arching branches drenched in pink trumpet flowers that have welcomed visitors to country homes for generations. Often planted by the entry path, it stands as a friendly green host for everyone who arrives. In its lavish bloom and traditional placement, hospitality becomes something one can plant once and enjoy for decades.
- Generosity — The lavish abundance of flowers represents open-hearted giving and warmth
- Welcome — Often planted by front doors as a welcoming gesture to visitors
Where the Name Comes From
'Weigela' honors Christian Ehrenfried Weigel (1748–1831), a German botanist. 'Florida' means 'flowering' or 'floriferous' in Latin.
Uses & Fun Facts
- Tubular flowers attract hummingbirds in late spring borders
- Arching branches drip with pink trumpets in early summer
- Tough deciduous shrub forms informal mixed border screens
Related plants
More Weigela plants
Weigela middendorffianaWeigela middendorffiana
Old Fashioned WeigelaWeigela praecox
Korean WeigelaWeigela subsessilis
Plants with similar care
Chinese AbeliaAbelia chinensis
Fragrant AbeliaAbelia mosanensis
Large-Flowered AbeliaAbelia uniflora
Glossy AbeliaAbelia x grandiflora
Frequently asked questions
How often should I water Old Fashioned Weigela?
In summer, water about every 4 days; in winter, about every 30 days. Adjust for heat, pot size and drainage.
How much light does Old Fashioned Weigela need?
Full sun: 6+ hrs direct. Watch the leaves — scorching or stretching means the light needs adjusting.
Is Old Fashioned Weigela toxic to cats or dogs?
No toxicity has been reported for this plant. Still, it is wise to keep pets from chewing on any houseplant. Educational information, not medical or veterinary advice. If exposure is suspected, contact a doctor or veterinarian.
Is Old Fashioned Weigela easy to grow?
Yes — it is considered an easy, beginner-friendly plant.
When does Old Fashioned Weigela bloom?
It typically blooms May, Aug, Sep in the Northern Hemisphere.
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