Weigela varieties & species: the most beautiful for the garden
The many weigela varieties flower in spring in delicate shades of white or pink and attract lots of bees.
The magnificent flowers of the weigela (Weigela) blossom from May to June and captivate the observer. The many characteristics of the different varieties make weigelas suitable not only as a specimen plant, but also for hedges and as a container plant.
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How many weigela varieties and species are there?
The weigela genus comprises around 12 species, of which there are a total of about 150 to 200 different varieties. They differ in their growth height, leaf colouring and flower colours. The flowering time also differs depending on the species and variety. Of course, you can shape the ornamental shrub to the desired height and width with appropriate pruning. Perhaps the most popular species is the old-fashioned weigela (Weigela florida), which like many of its relatives is native to Western Asia. In addition to the wild species, there are various hybrids available in garden centres today.
The most beautiful weigelas at a glance
It is easy to be overwhelmed by the great variety of colours, shapes and growth characteristics of weigelas. That is why we are giving you an overview of the most beautiful weigela varieties and species here:
Old-fashioned weigela (Weigelia florida)
Old-fashioned weigela grows up to 3 metres tall and impresses with its lush pink flowers from May to June. Numerous varieties emerge from this species and decorate gardens with their patterned leaves or red foliage, for example.
- ‘Alexandra’: The flowers of the ‘Alexandra’ weigela are dark pink. Its purple and brown leaves contrast beautifully with the blossoms. At flowering time from May to June, the variety grows to 80 to 100 cm.
- ‘All Summer Peach’: This dwarf weigela is adorned with apricot-coloured, delicate flowers. This weigela variety flowers from May to June and grows to a compact 40 to 60 cm. This also makes it suitable for cultivation in containers.
- ‘Victoria’: The flowers of the ‘Victoria’ weigela glow purple-pink from the inside and purple-red from the outside. This variety flowers from the end of May to mid-June and grows between 80 and 100 cm tall.
- ‘Monet’: This small-growing weigela grows to a compact 80 cm tall and is therefore suitable for small gardens. The pink, white and green variegated foliage is stunningly beautiful.
- ‘Nana variegata’: The variegated ‘Nana variegata’ weigela has beautiful flowers in white and mauve-pink. Its matt green leaves feature yellowish to white edges. Its flowering time is from May to July and it reaches 150 to 200 cm in height.
- ‘Wine and Roses’: Purple-pink flowers and dark foliage create a magical interplay of colour. This variety grows up to 180 cm tall.
- ‘Purpurea’: The red-leaved ‘Purpurea’ weigela delights with flowers in a striking dark pink. It flowers from the end of May to June and grows between 120 and 150 cm.
- ‘Variegata’: This variety fascinates with yellowish-white edged leaves and light pink flowers. It grows up to 190 cm tall and wide.
Hybrid weigelas
These hybrids are usually the result of crossing Weigela florida with other species and are impressive for their usually fragrant flowers, which appear in May or June in shades of white, pink and purple.
- ‘Carneval’: This ornamental shrub delights the garden with its white-pink flowers. In autumn, the foliage turns reddish-yellow. This discreet variety flowers from May to June and grows to 200 to 250 cm.
- ‘Red Prince’: This weigela has a bell-shaped, bright red flower and delights with its overhanging growth. The ‘Red Prince’ weigela cultivar flowers from late May to mid-June and reaches 200 to 250 cm in height.
- ‘Snowflake’: The ‘Snowflake’ weigela has snow-white flowers in a beautiful bell shape. It flowers from May to July and reaches heights of 80 to 200 cm.
- ‘All Summer Red’: With lush, red flowers, this variety has a long flowering period from May to October. This weigela is small-growing and, at 10 to 20 cm, particularly suitable for container cultivation.
- ‘Bristol Ruby’: The ‘Bristol Ruby’ weigela delights with crimson flowers that resemble sparkling rubies. In autumn, the foliage turns golden yellow to light brown. It flowers from the end of May to mid-June. It has a stately height of 200 to 300 cm.
- ‘Styriaca’: This enchants with a rich profusion of light pink, bell-shaped flowers. The flowering period is from the end of May to June and it grows between 200 and 250 cm tall.
- ‘Mont Blanc’: This variety has bell-shaped, white flowers on bushy, deciduous shrubs. As they age, their petals take on a light pink hue. This weigela variety grows up to 180 cm tall.
Early flowering weigela (Weigela praecox)
The purple-pink flowers exude a pleasant fragrance and appear in May – about two weeks earlier than those of the Weigelia florida. However, this species is less common than its popular sister. Nevertheless, it captivates with lush flowers at flowering time.
Golden weigela (Weigela middendorffiana)
The golden weigela is the only species to display yellow flowers in early summer, which is why it is also known as the yellow-flowered weigela. The ornamental shrub grows up to 150 cm tall and, like its relatives, is very insect-friendly.
American weigela (Diervilla splendens)
Although botanically speaking the American weigela belongs to the Diervilla genus, we do not want to deprive you of it. Unlike Weigela, Diervilla is indigenous to eastern North America. It grows up to 150 cm tall and bears fresh green foliage in summer. Delicate yellow flowers appear from June to August, which are extremely valuable for bees and bumblebees. The fresh shoots of the leaves, however, are a dark purple and contrast beautifully with the yellow flowers. This ornamental shrub is also very robust, easy to care for and tolerates temperatures down to -29 °C. Like its relatives, Diervilla splendens can be propagated via cuttings – we explain how to propagate weigelas.
Prune weigelas regularly to ensure the most beautiful blossoms. You can learn all about pruning weigelas in our dedicated article.
