Weigela florida Nana Variegata

Weigela florida 'Nana Variegata' is an adorable and highly floriferous, bushy and compact shrub, adorned with small green foliage marginated with white-cream, making it an attractive plant almost all year round. It has a long flowering period with pale pink to dark pink flower clusters exploding in late spring, and continues more sporadically in summer. In autumn, the flowers bloom again in a grand finale, while its foliage gradually turns orange. It can be planted in regular but moist soil in a sunny flower bed, as well as in a small flowering hedge, or even in a large pot on a terrace.

Originally from northern China, Japan, and Korea, Weigela florida is a deciduous bush belonging to the Caprifoliaceae family. This calcicolous bush (preferring calcareous soils) has a fibrous and spreading root system, which is perfectly capable of withstanding transplantation. The 'Nana Variegata' cultivar, from which it originates, has a slightly unkempt and compact habit, forming a branched bush that reaches a height of 1.25 m (4.1 ft) and a width of 1 m (3.3 ft). Its funnel-shaped flowers exhibit two shades of pink; they are sometimes almost white, sometimes a brighter pink within the same cluster. They are carried in corymbs, at the ends of the current year's branches, and bloom abundantly for the first time from May to June. The second flowering from September to October is also spectacular, abundant, highly honey-bearing, and nectar-rich. Its variegated foliage is composed of leaf blades that are sessile, pubescent on the underside, and ovate to elliptical in shape, and takes on a beautiful orange hue before falling in autumn. The branches of this bush are arched and show two rows of hairs.

Hardy down to -20° C (-4° F), 'Nana Variegata' thrives in sunny or semi-shady positions, in moist but well-drained soil. Its arched and compact habit makes it a graceful bush, whose abundant pastel-coloured flowering is far from dull. In a flower bed, for example, companion plants such as Galega, variegated dogwoods, ornamental brambles, or Ribes gordonianum can be planted alongside it. In the background, the very dark foliage of holly or yew will create a dark setting for its bright foliage and provide winter decor. This Weigela can also be planted in a container to attract attention in small gardens, or trained on a small trellis.