Weigela Weigela All Summer Peach = 'Slingpink'
ABOUT
Weigela All Summer Peach 'Slingpink' is a stunning ornamental shrub that captures attention with its colorful foliage and blooms. This variety flaunts a lush appearance, with leaves that exhibit a delightful interplay of green and soft peachy hues, which sometimes give the impression of a warm glow. It is the flowers, however, that truly steal the show. Blossoming in abundance, the trumpet-shaped flowers bring a splash of pink that ranges from pastel to deeper shades, creating a visual feast that is reminiscent of a summer fruit cocktail. These charming flowers cluster along the branches, often attracting pollinators like bees and hummingbirds to the garden. The overall shape of the Weigela All Summer Peach 'Slingpink' is elegantly rounded, with gracefully arching stems that give the plant a welcoming, relaxed posture. The combination of its colorful leaves and abundant, showy pink blooms make it a favorite among gardeners who seek to add long-lasting, vibrant color to their landscapes.
About this plant
- Names
Family
Caprifoliaceae.
Synonyms
Weigela, All Summer Peach Weigela.
Common names
Weigela florida 'Slingpink', Weigela 'Slingpink'.
- Toxicity
To humans
Weigela is not known to be toxic to humans. Generally, ingestion of plant material can cause discomfort or an upset stomach due to the plant's fiber and natural compounds. However, Weigela is not associated with severe toxicity or specific symptoms of poisoning in humans.
To pets
Weigela is also considered non-toxic to pets. Ingesting this plant is unlikely to cause more than mild gastrointestinal upset, such as vomiting or diarrhea, which can occur simply from eating plant material that a pet is not accustomed to. There are no severe toxic effects expected from pets ingesting Weigela.
- Characteristics
Life cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Peach
Height
4-5 feet (1.2-1.5 meters)
Spread
4-5 feet (1.2-1.5 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
4-8
Native area
Asia
Benefits
- General Benefits
- Attractive Blooms: Weigela 'All Summer Peach' offers a long bloom period with peach-colored flowers, adding aesthetic appeal to gardens and landscapes.
- Wildlife Attraction: The flowers attract pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, which can enhance the biodiversity of an area.
- Low Maintenance: This plant is known for being easy to care for, requiring minimal pruning and being relatively pest and disease resistant.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, Weigela 'All Summer Peach' has good drought tolerance, making it suitable for gardens in drier climates or for gardeners who prefer low-water-use plants.
- Versatility: It can be used in various landscaping designs, including as a border plant, in foundation plantings, or as a specimen, providing flexibility in garden design.
- Seasonal Interest: Beyond its flowering period, Weigela 'All Summer Peach' offers additional interest with its foliage, which can change colors with the seasons.
- Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
- Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
- Other Uses
- Crafting Natural Dyes: The Weigela All Summer Peach can be used to create natural dyes for textiles, with its flowers potentially providing peach or light pink hues.
- Educational Tool: This plant can be used in educational settings, like botany classes, to teach students about plant growth habits, pollination, and seasonal changes.
- Garden Photography: With its striking blooms, Weigela All Summer Peach makes an excellent subject for garden photography, allowing photographers to practice macro and nature photography skills.
- Culinary Garnish: While typically not consumed, the flowers of Weigela All Summer Peach could be used as an ornamental garnish for plating high-end dishes in restaurants.
- Sensory Gardens: This plant can contribute to sensory gardens with its soft foliage and brightly colored flowers, creating an environment that is stimulating to the senses.
- Companion Planting: Weigela All Summer Peach can be used in companion planting for its ability to attract pollinators, benefiting the growth of nearby fruit and vegetable crops.
- Thematic Landscapes: Designers can use this plant in thematic garden compositions, such as a 'peach' color themed area, to create a cohesive visual impact.
- Bonsai: With proper pruning and care, Weigela All Summer Peach could be trained into a bonsai, providing a unique challenge for bonsai enthusiasts.
- Set Design: This plant can be used in set designs for plays, films, or photo shoots, adding a natural and colorful element to the background.
- Floral Crafts: The stems and flowers of Weigela All Summer Peach can be incorporated into floral crafts, such as wreaths or table centerpieces, for decorations at events or in the home.
Interesting Facts
- Feng Shui
Weigela is not used in Feng Shui practice.
- Zodiac Sign Compitability
Weigela is not used in astrology practice.
- Plant Symbolism
- Adaptability: The Weigela flourishes in various soil types and conditions, symbolizing the ability to thrive under different circumstances.
- Abundance: With its plentiful blossoms throughout the summer, Weigela represents a sense of generosity and profusion.
- Attraction: The trumpet-shaped flowers of Weigela are known to attract hummingbirds and bees, symbolizing allure and magnetism.
- Nostalgia: Often found in traditional gardens, Weigela can evoke sentimental feelings and symbolize a yearning for the past.
- Water
The Weigela 'All Summer Peach' should be watered thoroughly once a week, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings. It's important to provide deep watering to encourage a strong root system, so applying 1 to 1.5 gallons of water evenly around the root zone should be sufficient. During hot or dry periods, the frequency of watering may need to increase to twice a week. Overwinter, when the plant is dormant, reduce watering to every few weeks or when the soil is dry to the touch. Always ensure proper drainage to prevent waterlogging, which can cause root rot.
- Light
For the Weigela 'All Summer Peach', provide full to partial sunlight to ensure healthy growth. This translates to at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily, ideally in the morning with some afternoon shade in hotter climates. The best spot would be an east or west-facing position where the plant receives ample morning light and protection from harsh afternoon sun.
- Temperature
The Weigela 'All Summer Peach' can withstand a range of temperatures but performs best when grown in areas where the temperature does not drop below 0 degrees Fahrenheit. It flourishes in temperatures between 50 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Extreme cold below 0 degrees Fahrenheit or prolonged exposure to temperatures over 90 degrees Fahrenheit can stress the plant.
- Pruning
Pruning the Weigela 'All Summer Peach' helps to maintain its shape, remove dead or crossed branches, and encourage prolific flowering. Prune immediately after the spring flowering has finished, as the plant blooms on old wood. Cutting back about a third of the oldest branches to the ground each year will encourage new growth and rejuvenate the plant.
- Cleaning
As needed
- Soil
Weigela prefers well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter with a pH ranging from slightly acidic to neutral, approximately 5.5 to 7.0. A mix of loam, compost, and a small amount of sand or perlite would be ideal to ensure proper drainage and fertility.
- Repotting
Weigela bushes do not require frequent repotting as they are typically grown outdoors. If grown in containers, repot every 3-4 years or when the plant outgrows its current pot.
- Humidity & Misting
Weigela plants are adaptable to a wide range of humidity levels and do well in the humidity levels typically found in outdoor garden environments.
- Suitable locations
Indoor
Not ideal for indoors; requires sunlight and garden space.
Outdoor
Plant in sun/part shade in well-draining soil; space adequately.
Hardiness zone
4-8 USDA
- Life cycle
The life cycle of Weigela 'All Summer Peach' begins with seed germination, which occurs when soil temperatures are warm and moisture is ample. After germination, seedlings emerge and establish a root system while developing their first set of true leaves. As the plant matures, it enters the vegetative growth stage, forming a woody structure with multiple stems, lush foliage, and preparing for the flowering phase. Flowering typically occurs in late spring to early summer, when clusters of peach-colored trumpet-shaped flowers bloom, attracting pollinators. After pollination, fruits may form, containing seeds that can disperse to start a new generation, although many cultivars are propagated vegetatively. The plant then enters a period of dormancy in the fall and winter, conserving energy until the following spring when the cycle can begin anew.
- Propogation
Propogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The Weigela 'All Summer Peach', commonly known simply as Weigela, is typically propagated by softwood cuttings in the late spring or early summer when the plant's growth is most vigorous. For this common method, you would take a cutting of about 4 to 6 inches (approximately 10 to 15 centimeters) from new growth, making sure the cutting has a few sets of leaves. Strip the leaves from the lower half of the cutting to expose the nodes where roots will form. The cut end of the stem is often dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root development and then planted in a well-draining potting mix. The container should be kept moist and in a warm location with indirect sunlight until the roots establish, after which the new Weigela plant can be transplanted outdoors.