Weigela florida Stelzneri

The Weigela or Weigelia Stelzneri is an old variety still appreciated for its vigour and its extraordinary abundance of flowers. With an upright and bushy habit, this large shrub becomes highly ornamental in late spring and summer. Its small, deep pink trumpet-shaped flowers are so prolific that they almost conceal its bright green foliage. Very hardy and easy to grow, in sunny, ordinary soil that is not too dry in summer, and with a moderate growth rate, it is perfect as an ornamental plant in an English or romantic-style garden, whatever its size.

Weigela Stelzneri is derived from, among others, the Weigela florida, native to northeastern China, Korea, and Japan. Weigelas are Asian plants belonging to the Caprifoliaceae family, just like honeysuckles. 'Stelzneri' was bred in Belgium in 1861. It is a calcicolous shrub (preferring calcareous/chalky soils) that develops a fibrous and trailing root system and which tolerates transplantation easily. It has a very bushy habit and eventually forms a branched bush with initially upright branches that arch slightly over time. Its grows quickly in moist soil, reaching an average height of 1.75 m (5.8ft) with a spread of 1.60 m (5.2ft) at maturity. Its funnel-shaped flowers are a bright, vibrant deep pink. They are carried in corymbs at the tips of the previous year's branches and bloom abundantly between June and August. Its pure green, deciduous foliage consists of slightly undulating, lanceolate leaves, pointed at the tip, and 4 to 8 cm (1.6 - 3.1 in) long. The leaves turn yellow in autumn before falling off.

Hardy down to -20°C (-4°F), the Weigelia 'Stelzneri' thrives in a sunny position, in deep, moist, but friable soil. It is a highly ornamental shrub that can be used in a patchwork hedge, as a free-standing specimen, or in a shrub border, adding a distinctive touch to even the most modest of settings. In a border, for example, combine it with other varieties of Weigelas, Japanese Kerria, deutzias, Viburnum carlesii or lilacs, variegated dogwoods, spireas, ornamental brambles, or even a shrubby honeysuckle. In the background, the very dark foliage of hollies, boxwoods, or Elaeagnus ebbingei will provide a beautiful backdrop for its foliage and a perfect display in winter.