Weigela is a deciduous shrub that grows up to five meters tall on maturity. The plant with an Eastern-Asian origin is also famous for its oblong leaves that measure up to fifteen centimetres in length. Weigela also has white, pink, and red flowers that make it conspicuous from a distance. In short, the Weigela plant is perfect for landscaping.
But Where Does the Shrub Grow?
The shrub is a perfect border plant. You can, therefore, cultivate it in your yard or garden. All you must do is provide the right conditions for propagation.
How to Make the Plant Thrive
Weigela is a plant like any other. That means it does well in certain conditions and not others. For example, the shrub thrives in well-drained soils. Such soils are perfect for cultivation because they encourage airflow, water seepage, and nutrient absorption.
Besides, the plant does well in soils with sufficient nutrients. That said, you must revamp the earth’s nutrient composition by adding a slow-release fertilizer. Better still, you should cultivate the shrub in areas with a high insolation cover. After all, the plant blooms in spring when the sun is shining brightly.
Cultivation
How do you cultivate Weigela? First, you need the right tools for the job. The equipment you require includes:
- Manure
- Knife
- Mulch
- Hand rake
- Pruning tool
- Shovel
You can then choose the best location for planting. An area that receives over four hours of sunlight is ideal. Next, you need to flood the new shrub with water before planting.
Once done, you can dig a hole in the ground using a shovel. However, ensure the gap is as long as the plant’s rootball and broader than its circumference. Also, grind hard soils into fine particles. The soil matter will come in handy during backfilling.
You can then mix compost with the loose particles to produce highly-enriched soils. You then have to extract the Weigela from the water bath and cut off any roots with a pruning tool. Next, you must slice the rootball sides in three distinct places to expose the interior.
It is then and only then that you can plant the rootball into the hole you dug earlier. You must, however, ensure that the shrub is growing at the same depth it did in the nursery. Backfilling can then happen after setting everything straight.
Last, you need water the plant as you press the dirt by hand to remove any air pockets. You can then add organic mulch over the soil to protect the young shrub from the sun’s unforgiving heat. Also, water the plant weekly. Above all, care for the young bush to keep it neat.
Weigela Trimming
Pruning the shrub is more of a necessity than a need. It helps give the weigela bush the right shape. Besides, clipping separates diseased and dead branches from the healthy parts. Most importantly, trimming encourages air circulation and light penetration. In essence, pruning rejuvenates the bush.
But how do you know when to trim weigela? It’s simple. Gardening experts advise you to cut off the excess branches in the late spring. Pruning at such a time prevents you from interfering with the weigela blooming phase. It also ensures you do not harm new flower outgrowths. After all, the plant blooms on branches that are more than a year old.
The Process
People prune Weigela to achieve the perfect shape and for rejuvenation. You must, therefore, learn how to trim the hedge right by
1. Investing In The Right Tools
Buying a sharp pair of clippers or a pruning tool makes the process painless. You must also invest in a superb gardening glove to protect yourself from injury. Last, you need to get yourself motivated.
2. Creating The Right Mental Picture
Brainstorming is vital to your success. It helps you visualize a dream that is yet to come true. Also, creating a mental picture enables you to achieve the perfect shape fast. It eliminates costly errors, too.
3. Cutting Through The Mesh
A bush will always be messy when left unattended. You should, therefore, cut about one-third of each branch section to achieve the perfect shrub height. Besides, cut all branches up to the point they form a V-connection. The above techniques will help you reshape the bush.
Rejuvenation, however, requires a different set of tricks. One, you must spot old or dying branches before splitting them apart. Next, you need to extract them from the healthy shrub. Repeat the process every year.
Conclusion
Weigela is one of the most manageable shrubs you can plant in your yard. The plant, however, requires some care and attention after blooming. You must, therefore, use the tips outlined above to your advantage. They will help you manicure an unkempt garden fast.
Besides, you do not have to spend a lot of money by hiring a gardener!
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