Weigela florida Splendid - Old Fashioned Weigela

Weigela 'Splendid' is a variety of Weigela that is still relatively unknown in Western Europe but is sure to charm many gardeners. It is a medium-sized bush with vigorous growth and a dense appearance. It is characterised by its panicles of large tubular flowers in shades of pale pink and its dark green leaves with cream edges. In the garden, this adaptable bush brings a touch of freshness throughout the summer season.

Weigela florida 'Splendid' is a horticultural selection. Native to northern China, Japan, and Korea, the wild Weigela florida is a deciduous shrub belonging to the Caprifoliaceae family. It is a highly adaptable plant that can grow in neutral, alkaline, or moderately acidic soil. Weigela has a fibrous and spreading root system that is well-suited for transplantation.
The 'Splendid' cultivar reaches 1 to 2 metres in all directions, depending on the growing conditions. It has a fast growth rate, about 15 to 25 cm per year. Its habit is upright and compact, supported by dense and vertical branches. The outer shoots spread slightly, contributing to its harmonious shape. The leaves of Weigela 'Splendid' are ovate, narrow, and pointed at the ends. They are dark green with a fine cream or yellowish edge. This very bright foliage falls in autumn. The flowering period extends from May to June, sometimes until July. The 2 to 4 centimetres long flowers are bell-shaped. They appear in large panicles in the axils of the leaves, on short lateral shoots along the branches of the previous year. Their colour ranges from various shades of pale pink to rosy white. Weigela tolerates a wide range of soils, preferably fertile and moist in summer. It is perfectly resistant to normal winter conditions.

Weigela 'Splendid' is a charming bush that can be used in various ways in the garden. It works well in informal hedges or shrub borders. Its abundant flowering and elegant foliage create interesting contrasts with shrubs with dark foliage. This variety pairs well with the mock orange Philadelphus 'Virginal' with its fragrant white flowers, Hydrangea macrophylla 'Mme Emile Mouillère' with its generous white inflorescences, Physocarpus opulifolius 'Diabolo' with its dark purple foliage, and Berberis thunbergii 'Atropurpurea' with its deep red-violet foliage. These plants enhance the brightness of Weigela 'Splendid' while creating a rich ensemble of textures and colours.