Weigela florida , commonly roll in the hay as Weigela or Old - Fashioned Weigela , belongs to the genusWeigelawithin the Caprifoliaceae fellowship , which also includes flora like honeysuckle and elderberry . The species name “ florida ” does not denote to the state but rather have in mind “ blossom ” or “ aureate ” in Latin , indicating its profuse blooming nature . Weigelais advert after the German scientist Christian Ehrenfried Weigel .
Weigela florida is aboriginal to East Asia , specifically region admit northerly China , Korea , and Manchuria . In its native home ground , it grows in diverse surround like scrubland , clearing in woods , and forest edge , where it can benefit from both sun and partial shade . The natural conditions in these areas , with their temperate climate and varied grime types , have kick in to the plant life ’s adaptability to unlike garden mise en scene around the world .
This deciduous shrub is characterized by its arch branch , oval - oblong leaves with serrate security deposit , and its showy , bell - shaped flowers which can be white , pinkish , or red . The leaves typically measure 5–15 cm in length , and the blossom appear in clusters in late natural spring to early summer , with some varieties capable of a second , smaller bloom in late summer . The received green foliage can turn over golden - yellow before falling in fall , though some modernistic cultivar propose variegated or even burgundy leaf .
Weigela florida expose an arciform or mounding growth habit , often touch heights and feast of 6 to 10 feet , though this can deviate with cultivar and pruning practices . Its arm tend to have a refined , down end run , which can be accentuated or controlled with pruning .
The chronicle of Weigela florida in westerly horticulture set about in the mid-19th C when it was introduced from Asia to Europe . The Scots plant hunter Robert Fortune is credit with bring this species to England in 1845 , where it was first cultivated in the Sheffield Botanic Garden . Since then , Weigela floridahas been widely hybridized , contribute to numerous cultivars that offer a spectrum of bloom people of colour , foliation magnetic declination , and growth habits . Over the years , its popularity has soar due to its ornamental quality , rest of cultivation , and the ability to attract pollinators like hummingbirds and butterflies . Its historical cultivation has also seen it become a staple in many ornamental gardens in both Europe and North America .
Weigela florida is stout in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 8 . This range indicates that the plant can resist minimum winter temperature from -30 ° F ( -34.4 ° C ) in zona 4 to 10 ° F ( -12.2 ° C ) in zone 8 , making it adaptable to a broad swath of climate across the United States and like latitudes globally . In colder climates within this stove , some wintertime shelter might be necessary for sure cultivars , particularly those with variegated or colored foliage that might be more susceptible to Robert Lee Frost terms . Conversely , in the warm end of its compass , it benefit from some good afternoon tint to prevent leaf scorch .
The lifetime of Weigela florida can be considerable , with well - care - for specimen often living 30 to 40 years or more . This length of service is part due to its ability to renew itself through new development from the base of operations , allowing it to recover from severe pruning or damage . However , its vim and blooming capacity can decrease over time if not the right way maintained . Regular pruning post - flowering advance new growth and can restore older plants . Without such care , Weigela florida might become woody and make few flowers , but with attentive direction , they can stay vibrant and productive landscape element for decades . Their natural habit of suckering also aids in their seniority , as newfangled shoots can replace older , less fertile cane .
