The kind of Weigela shrub, formerly (and sometimes even today), was called wajgela. It was brought to Europe from East Asia in 1845, where the following botanical species are most often cultivated: the weigela decora variegated shrub, the flower shrub W. floribunda, the miraculous shrub W. florida, the garden shrub W. hortensis and the early shrub W. praecox. However, the gardens are dominated by numerous varieties of hybrid origin, the number of which is estimated at about 200 (they do not have a species name in their names). They are characterized by rapid growth, and with time the side shoots slightly overhang.The root system is flat and the bushes tolerate transplanting well, even in old age.
Krzewuszki - what kind of shrubs are they
These are shrubs of varying height, from 0.6 to 3 m, with seasonal, short-tailed, elliptical and rounded leaves, with sawn edges. In some varieties the leaves may be purple, e.g. 'Purpurea Nana', 'Alexandra', yellow 'Newzako' and with colorful white spots, such as 'Variegata', 'Nana Variegata'. Flowers with a funnel-shaped or bell-shaped crown, 3 cm long, grow from the axils of the leaves in panicles, on short shoots embedded along last year's shoots. They develop from mid-May to mid-July and can be pink, red, purple, white or, very rarely, yellow. Sometimes they change color during flowering, e.g. from white to red, as in the 'Versicolor' variety. Some varieties repeat flowering from August to October. The first garden varieties were created in 1860 in Ghent.
Shrubs prefer sunny or slightly shaded locationsSoils: fertile, moist, humus and rich in nutrients. The site must be sheltered, especially against frosty winds, because the bushes may freeze in severe winters. They are suitable for growing in cities because they are resistant to air pollution. They are sensitive to drought.
We can accelerate the setting of numerous flower buds by fertilizing in mid-June with compound fertilizers for shrubs with seasonal leaves. After the winter, cut out the frozen shoots or shorten the partially frozen ones. Once every 2-3 years, it is recommended to cut the oldest, poorly flowering, damaged shoots right after flowering. This will accelerate the growth of new shoots that will bloom profusely. In colder regions of the country, we secure it for the winter. Partially frozen shrubs regenerate crown defects: they reflect new shoots from he althy parts of plants. In spring it is recommended to feed with multi-component mineral fertilizers.
Breeding bush
Amateur shrubs reproduce very well from woody cuttingscut in November, and planted preferably in the spring into the ground or in a foil tunnel. Placing in the ground in a foil tunnel increases the number of rooted cuttings. It is also possible to reproduce from dumps, i.e. from shoots covered with humus soil and removed in spring. In production-scale nurseries, it is possible to prepare herbaceous seedlings in June and July, which are placed under foggers in a greenhouse or a foil tunnel. The cuttings take root very quickly (after about 3 weeks).
Tall varieties look nice when planted at long distances. The most beautiful are the widely grown shrubs and therefore they are planted every 1.5-3 m. Shrubs of varieties with colorful leaves are suitable for planting in flower beds in color combinations as well as with perennials and other shrubs.Low varieties such as 'Purpurea Nana' and 'Nana Variegata' are perfect for planting in rock gardens and perennial beds. They look nice when planted in groups. All bushes are also suitable for creating uncut hedges. Shrubs in formed hedges have less flowering and are best trimmed after flowering.
