Weigela Weigela Black and White = 'Courtacad1' (PBR)

Water

The Weigela, commonly known as Weigela 'Black and White', should be watered deeply to promote root growth, ensuring that the soil is moist but not waterlogged. During the active growing season in spring and summer, it typically requires watering once a week, with about one gallon of water per plant. In the fall and winter, reduce watering frequency to every two to three weeks, or as needed, depending on weather conditions and soil moisture levels. It's important to adjust watering based on rainfall, ideally by checking the soil moisture before watering to prevent overwatering.

Light

The Weigela 'Black and White' thrives in full sun to partial shade conditions. It performs best when it receives at least 6 hours of sunlight a day, so planting it in a location where it can enjoy morning sun with some afternoon shade is ideal. Too little light can reduce flowering, so make sure it has access to ample sunshine for optimal growth and blooming.

Temperature

The Weigela 'Black and White' is hardy and can survive in temperatures as low as -20°F and as high as 90°F, although it prefers a range of 50°F to 75°F for ideal growth. It is important to shelter the plant from extreme cold by mulching around the base and provide some protection from harsh winds that can cause damage to the foliage and stems.

Pruning

Pruning Weigela 'Black and White' is necessary to maintain its shape, remove dead or crossed branches, and encourage robust new growth and plentiful blooms. The best time to prune is immediately after the spring flowering period, as the plant blooms on old wood. Prune selectively, removing up to one-third of the oldest stems, and shape as desired. Yearly pruning will keep the plant vigorous and attractive.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Weigela 'Black and White' thrives in well-drained, fertile soil with a pH range of 5.5 to 7.5. An ideal soil mix can be achieved by combining loamy garden soil with compost and peat moss, which helps with drainage and fertility. Mulching is beneficial to retain soil moisture and regulate temperature.

Repotting

Weigela 'Black and White' typically does not need to be repotted often as it is primarily grown outdoors. It is a shrub and is best transplanted or repotted only when necessary, such as when it outgrows its current location, which could be several years apart.

Humidity & Misting

Weigela 'Black and White' is adaptable to a wide range of outdoor humidity conditions. It does not require any specific humidity level, making it suitable for most temperate climates as long as it is planted in well-draining soil.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Provide bright light and avoid waterlogging for indoor Weigela 'Black and White'.

• Outdoor

  Full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil for outdoor Weigela 'Black and White'.

• Hardiness zone

  4-8 USDA

Life cycle

The life cycle of Weigela 'Black and White' (botanical name: Weigela florida 'Courtacad1') begins with germination, where the plant sprouts from seeds under favorable conditions of moisture and temperature. The seedling stage follows, where it develops roots and the first set of true leaves, relying on the nutrients stored in the seed. As it enters the vegetative stage, Weigela 'Black and White' experiences rapid growth, establishing a more extensive root system and producing more leaves, leading to the formation of a bushy shrub. The next significant phase is the flowering stage, typically occurring in late spring to early summer, where it produces contrasting white flowers against dark foliage. After pollination, if successful, the plant enters the fruiting stage where seeds develop and mature, eventually being dispersed by various means such as wind, animals, or gravity. Finally, in its maturity stage, the Weigela 'Black and White' maintains its size, continues to flower annually, and may eventually undergo senescence, where growth slows and the plant may die back, completing its life cycle.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring to Summer

• The Weigela 'Black and White', known botanically as Weigela florida 'Courtacad1' (PBR), can be propagated through semi-hardwood cuttings typically during late spring or early summer. For this method, strong, healthy shoots are selected. From these shoots, cuttings about 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm) long are taken, each having several leaves. The lower leaves are removed, and the cut end may be dipped in a rooting hormone to encourage root development. The cuttings are then inserted into a well-draining potting mix, ensuring that at least one or two nodes are buried where the leaf joints are. The pot should be covered with a plastic bag or placed in a propagator to maintain high humidity around the cuttings. It usually takes a few weeks for roots to develop, after which the new plants can be gradually acclimatized to outdoor conditions and then planted out in their final position.