Weigela Weigela 'Candida'
ABOUT
Weigela 'Candida' is a deciduous shrub known for its showy appearance, which makes it a popular choice for gardens and landscapes. The plant boasts a rounded and bushy growth habit that provides a dense backdrop of foliage. Its leaves are ovate to lance-shaped and have a bright green color that adds a fresh look to the plant during its growing season. What really sets the Weigela 'Candida' apart are its flowers. It blooms prolifically in late spring to early summer, displaying an array of bell-shaped flowers. The flowers have a pure white hue, which gives the plant its name 'Candida,' meaning 'white' in Latin. These blossoms are not only eye-catching but also attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to your garden. The branches of the Weigela 'Candida' arch gracefully and give the shrub a somewhat fountain-like appearance. This contributes to the plant's ornamental value and makes it a focal point when in full bloom. While the flowers are the main attraction, the fresh green foliage persists through the summer and into fall, providing a lasting visual interest even after the blooming period has ended.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
White Weigela, Weigela 'Candida'.
Common names
Weigela 'Candida'.
ToxicityTo humans
Weigela 'Candida', commonly known just as Weigela, is not known to be toxic to humans. There are no well-documented cases of poisoning from the ingestion of this plant. Consequently, there are no specific symptoms of poisoning associated with Weigela for humans.
To pets
Weigela 'Candida', commonly known as Weigela, is also not known to be toxic to pets. It is generally considered non-toxic to dogs, cats, and other domestic animals. Therefore, ingestion of this plant should not cause any symptoms of poisoning in pets under normal circumstances.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
6-9 feet (1.8-2.7 meters)
Spread
6-9 feet (1.8-2.7 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
4-8
Native area
Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Appeal: Features showy trumpet-shaped white flowers that bloom profusely in late spring, adding aesthetic value to gardens.
- Attracts Wildlife: The flowers provide nectar for pollinators like bees and butterflies, enhancing biodiversity.
- Low Maintenance: Once established, it requires minimal care, making it ideal for gardeners of all levels.
- Seasonal Interest: Offers multiple seasons of interest, including spring flowers and sometimes a second lighter bloom in the summer, as well as attractive foliage.
- Drought Tolerance: When established, it can withstand periods of dryness, reducing the need for regular watering.
- Hardiness: Adapted to a range of temperate climates and can survive cold winters in many regions.
- Versatile Landscaping: Suitable for foundation plantings, mixed borders, and as a specimen plant.
- Pruning Tolerance: Responds well to pruning, which can be done to shape the plant or to promote bushier growth.
- Fast Growing: Tends to grow quickly, filling in spaces and providing structure to garden designs without a long wait.
- Soil Adaptability: Can grow in a variety of soil types, although it prefers well-drained soils.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Photography backdrop: The Weigela 'Candida', with its lush foliage and clusters of flowers, can serve as a stunning natural backdrop for photographers, particularly in springtime portrait sessions.
- Garden sculpture framing: This plant can be strategically placed to arch over and frame garden sculptures, adding an organic touch to garden art displays.
- Sound barrier: When planted in dense rows, the thick foliage of Weigela 'Candida' can help to muffle sounds from busy streets, acting as a natural sound barrier.
- Seasonal celebrations: Branches of Weigela 'Candida' can be used as fresh cuttings for vases during events and celebrations, offering a cost-effective and garden-fresh decor option.
- Educational tool: Teachers can use the Weigela 'Candida' to educate students about pollination and the role of insects in the garden, as it attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies.
- Privacy screen: Planted in a row, Weigela 'Candida' can create a visual screen that enhances privacy in a yard or garden setting.
- Creative crafts: The stems and foliage can be used in floral crafts, such as making wreaths or other decorative items.
- Landscape layering: The plant's mid-level height makes it ideal for layering in landscape design, positioned between groundcovers and taller shrubs or trees.
- Urban greening: Weigela 'Candida' can be included in urban planting schemes to help beautify city spaces and contribute to urban biodiversity.
- Seasonal indicator: As a plant that blooms in late spring, Weigela 'Candida' can serve as a phenological indicator of seasonal changes in a garden or educational setting.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Weigela is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Weigela is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Expansion and Growth - The Weigela 'Candida', with its spreading habit and prolific flowering, is often associated with personal expansion and the flourishing of ideas, representing an outward growth in various aspects of life.
- Optimism and Joy - With its bright, trumpet-shaped flowers, the Weigela typically symbolizes positivity and the joy that comes with the advent of spring, embodying an uplifting spirit.
- Attraction and Magnetism - The plant is known for attracting hummingbirds and butterflies, thus symbolizing attraction and magnetism, and can represent pulling positive forces or influences into one's life.
- Adaptability - Weigela plants are adaptable to different soil types and conditions, symbolizing resilience and the ability to thrive in a variety of life's circumstances.
- Romantic Love - The captivating blossoms of the Weigela 'Candida' can represent the beauty of romantic love and the tenderness associated with loving relationships.
WaterThe White Weigela requires consistent moisture, especially during dry spells. It should be watered deeply once a week, providing about 1 to 1.5 gallons of water each time depending on the size of the plant and the weather conditions. During hot, dry periods, the frequency may increase to twice per week. Ensure that the soil is well-draining to prevent waterlogging. During the winter, reduce watering since the plant's water needs decrease when it is dormant.
LightThe White Weigela thrives in full sun to partial shade. It should be planted in a location where it can receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. Some afternoon shade can be beneficial in hotter climates to prevent the leaves from scorching.
TemperatureThe White Weigela is hardy and can tolerate a range of temperatures, from a maximum of around 95 degrees Fahrenheit to a minimum winter temperature of about -20 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal temperature for robust growth and flowering is between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
PruningPrune the White Weigela immediately after flowering, typically in late spring or early summer, to maintain shape and encourage new growth. Pruning is also necessary to remove any dead or damaged branches to promote overall plant health. The best time for pruning is when the plant has finished its main flush of blooms.
CleaningAs needed
SoilWeigela 'Candida', also known as Weigela, thrives best in well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. A mix of loam, peat, and sand in equal parts can create an ideal environment. The soil pH should be slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 5.5 to 7.5.
RepottingWeigela does not require frequent repotting as it is typically grown as a shrub in the garden. However, if grown in a container, repotting Weigela should be done when it outgrows its current pot, roughly every few years.
Humidity & MistingWeigela prefers outdoor conditions and does not have specific humidity requirements. It is adaptable to average outdoor humidity levels and does not require the high humidity levels that some houseplants do.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Ensure ample sunlight, avoid overwatering, and provide space to grow.
Outdoor
Plant in sun to part-shade, provide space, well-draining soil.
Hardiness zone
4-8 USDA
Life cycleWeigela 'Candida', commonly known simply as Weigela, begins its life cycle when the seeds germinate in spring, typically after experiencing a period of cold stratification that mimics winter conditions. After germination, the seedlings establish roots and grow into young plants, developing a framework of stems and leaves. As Weigela matures, it enters a vigorous phase of growth during which it produces abundant foliage and, in late spring to early summer, it blooms with clusters of white, trumpet-shaped flowers that attract pollinators like bees and hummingbirds. Following pollination, the flowers give way to small capsules that contain numerous seeds, completing its reproductive cycle. Throughout the summer, Weigela continues to grow, storing energy in its roots and woody structure to endure the winter dormancy. Each subsequent year, the plant experiences a similar annual cycle of growth, blooming, seed production, and dormancy, potentially lasting for several years given appropriate care and environmental conditions.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to early summer
The Weigela 'Candida', commonly known as simply Weigela, is best propagated in the late spring or early summer from softwood cuttings. For this method, you would start by taking a 4 to 6-inch (10 to 15 cm) cutting from a healthy, new growth stem that has not yet flowered. The leaves on the lower half of the stem should be removed, and the cut end dipped in a rooting hormone powder or solution. The cutting is then inserted into a pot filled with a well-draining potting mix, ensuring that at least two sets of leaf nodes are below the surface. The pot should be placed in a warm area with indirect sunlight and kept consistently moist. To maintain humidity, which is crucial for root development, a plastic bag or a propagator can be used to cover the plant. Cuttings typically root in 4 to 8 weeks, after which they can be transplanted to individual pots or their final positions outdoors.
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