Now that enough time has passed, I am wanting to know if people are still pleased with the 'Wine & Rose' weigela shurbs that they planted at least several years ago.

In 2005 and 2006, I only saw 3-5 gallon specimans for sale, and they seemed overpriced; especially since I did not, at the the time, have a specific need for some of the them. Yesterday, though I saw some small gallon sized starters priced very reasonably. I wondered if I should buy some of those and keep repotting them until they grow to be 5 gallon sized.

currently, I need to take out a Red Tip photenia, which overgrew the area once the redbud tree that used to compete with it died. I am now wondering if my planting a 5 gallon sized 'Wine and Roses' weigela would be a better replacement shrub for that area.

In the area I am looking for an only slightly tall foundation shrub. The area is the west side of the northwest front corner of my house. Along with the weigela, I was also thinking of planting some Dwarf Yaupon Nana' and maybe some spirea. For height on the very corner, I'm cosidering planting a three or 4 trunked 'Tuscaora' Crape myrtle.

Since the Crape myrtle would take many years to grow tall enough to provide any significant shading for the area, Would the weigela do well with all that sun and summer heat.

The area is well drained. If I plant a few 'Wine and Roses' weigela as the slightly tall foundation shrub in that front corner grouping, is it likely they will perform well. The house is stone and The area is exposed to west and late summer northwest sun.

It's a good little shrub. I've been around nursery stock for nine years, full-time.

Conditons are right if that's what you like.

Dax

Oh - you can easily root the stems by stripping off some leaves, buring it, and keeping it moist. So if you decide you want more than one...

Oh - my Midnight Wine is with Little Elf Spirea for great color contrast.

Crape Myrtles grow 2-3' a year, so don't discount how fast it'll offer shade.

Christine

I think I will go and get some of those weigela and will research the spirea mentioned. My Tuscarora's were cut down to the ground this spring, after they suffered from two years of drought and the recent Easter freeze. So even at growth 2-3 feet a year, they will need to stay in pots until their trunks are thick enough to survive our winters once they are planted in the ground outside. That should take a couple years. Then once planted I will not let them get full like a shrub. They will be kept with cleaned trunks. That is why I think the weigela should still get lots of sun for a long time.

But this year, the same old thing. I just noticed this week, though, they they are beginning to leaf out. I don't think that I will get blooms on them, however.

If they don't boom this Spring, they are out of here! I think someone told me last year, the Weigela just don't do well in this area.

S.

My 3 midnight wine are garbage that do not bloom.

I'm a novice gardener, so any constructive comments are welcome.

Sorry, no advise or anything from me since I never do anything with mine except watch it grow.

I think here in Wisconsin, you probably need to wait a few years on this one but it is well worth the wait.

BTW, mine are about 3' in diameter.

But, this W&R planted here 100 miles further south & Zone 6(b) - Zone 7(a) & near the shore has stunningly lived up to its hype. It is a little show in the spring but right now, it's put out tremendous new growth, filled in beautifully, & is just starting to open buds of which there are hundreds. I started with a larger-sized shrub two seasons ago. So, after two years...I'm thrilled with this little shrub. I've not had to touch it with a pair of pruners once.

Tricia

A bit more info would be helpful in answering your questions.

Where are you located? Is the weigla W&R newly planted? How frequently are you watering? What exposure? Any signs of insects?

In general, the shrub is quite tolerant of dry conditions. Like any new planting though...if it just went in the ground & hasn't had time to get its roots down then you'll need to keep the soil moist (not saturated). Dig down 2-4" in the soil next to the shrub. Is it moist? If not, water.

The branches that haven't leafed out yet have probably winter killed. It's getting quite late even for weigela to leaf out. Prune back to live wood & they will quickly regrow.

/tricia

2 of my 4 midnight wine's had a tough winter and didn't leaf out well. They barely bloom but the foliage is good eventually.

If you already have them, you could check out the coloring in the pot in the questionable location without planting it during the summer. THen decide on a permanent home in the fall.