Weigela Picobella Bianco

The dwarf 'Picobella Bianco' Weigela astounds with the long duration of its flowering, and also charms with its low and wide dome-shaped habit, equally appealing in the garden or in a pot. This small shrub first blooms in spring and then again in autumn, with each wave of flowers lasting for 6 weeks. Its delicate vibrant green foliage beautifully showcases its small white bell-shaped flowers. Like other Weigelas, this shrub is easy to grow in ordinary, moist, but well-drained soil. Very hardy and adaptable, it can find its place in any garden.

The 'Picobella Bianco' Weigela is derived, among others, from W. florida, native to northeastern China, Korea, and Japan. The Weigela genus includes about ten Asian species and belongs to the Caprifoliaceae family. This cultivar was selected by horticulturist Bert Verhoef at his nursery in Hazerswoude-Dorp, north of The Hague, in the Netherlands. 'Picobella Bianco' exhibits particularly reduced growth. Its vegetation is naturally compact, forming a spread cushion of about 40 to 50 cm (16 to 20 in) in height and 60 to 70 cm (24 to 28 in) in width at maturity. The deciduous foliage is absent in winter. It consists of fine, lanceolate, slightly undulate leaves that provide an elegant backdrop for the flowering. The funnel-shaped flowers are abundantly produced from May to October, with a slight break in August. They are arranged in corymbs at the ends of the previous year's branches. It is not necessary to remove faded flowers, as they disappear on their own. The flowers are honey-bearing and nectar-bearing.

With its never-ending flowering and compact habit, this Picobella Bianco Weigela will be perfect for bordering flower beds, in front of slightly taller shrubs (Physocarpus, spireas, Deutzia, etc.). Equally easy to succeed, Buddleias will also be good companions, offering a very wide range of flower colours: from blue to purple, white, lavender, or even yellow, on green, greyish or variegated foliage. The same generosity can be found in Lagerstroemias, or Crape Myrtles, which enchant in summer. Also consider Shrubby Cinquefoils, which are generous and easy, to accompany it at the front of a shrub bed. This Weigela will have a lot of character when placed in a planter on the terrace.