Weigela Kosteriana Variegata

Weigela 'Kosteriana Variegata' is a remarkable shrub with an upright and compact habit, deciduous dark green foliage marginated with ivory-white, and adorned with soft pink trumpet-shaped flowers from July to August. This low-maintenance summer shrub can be planted in a rustic or romantic flower bed or flowering hedge, or even in a large pot on the terrace. It will bring a gentle floral note to the middle of summer.

Weigela Kosteriana are hybrids obtained through cross-breeding of horticultural varieties and belong to the Caprifoliaceae family. Weigelas, commonly but incorrectly called Weigelias, are native to Eastern Asia: Japan, Korea, and northeastern China. The 'Kosteriana Variegata' cultivar, also known as Weigela florida 'Kosteri Variegata', is an upright and compact shrub that can reach a height of 2 m (7 ft) with a spread of 1.6 m (5 ft). Its dark green leaves, with ivory-white edges, are lanceolate in shape with undulating margins and possess lighter veins. In autumn, its foliage will turn yellow-orange before falling. Between the months of June and August, the shrub will develop beautiful bell-shaped flowers in soft shades of pink, creating a superb gradation. The funnel-shaped flowers have a darker throat and are borne in corymbs at the ends of the previous year's branches. This flowering is melliferous and nectariferous. This calcicolous (preferring calcareous soils) shrub has a fibrous and spreading root system, which is perfectly suited for transplantation. The branches of this shrub are arched and have two rows of hairs.

Very hardy (-20 °C (-4 °F)), it can be grown in flower beds, flowering hedges, or as a standalone plant. It pairs well with grasses, salvias, or even abelias. Easy to grow, it likes well-drained and poor or rich soils. It can be grown in sunny or semi-shaded positions.

Hardy down to -20 °C (-4 °F), Weigela 'Kosteriana Variegata' is one of those shrubs that thrives in most regions, except for the hottest and driest ones. It enjoys sunny or semi-shaded locations, in any fresh but well-drained and even relatively dry soil. Its dense and bushy habit makes it a graceful shrub suitable for gardens of all sizes. The combination of foliage and flower colours is far from dull, bringing a very personal touch to any decor and allowing for the creation of large, vibrant borders along a path or a short grass meadow, in combination with, for example, purple barberries. In a flower bed, companions such as Galega, blood-red or variegated dogwoods, ornamental brambles, Physocarpus, symphorines, or even a Buddleia Nanho Blue with blue-mauve flowers can be chosen. In the background, the very dark foliage of hollies or yews will provide a dark setting for its luminous foliage and ensure a beautiful winter display. This Weigela can also be grown in a container to attract attention in small gardens or trained on a small trellis.