Wine and Roses Weigela Weigela florida 'Foliis Purpureis'

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Weigela florida 'Foliis Purpureis', commonly known as wine and roses weigela, is a deciduous shrub that is prized for its attractive foliage and flowers. The leaves of this cultivar have a distinctive burgundy-purple color that adds a touch of dramatic flair to the landscape throughout the growing season. As the name 'Foliis Purpureis' suggests, the foliage exhibits a purple hue, imparting a striking contrast against the brighter tones of the surrounding greenery. the wine and roses weigela showcases tubular flowers that bloom profusely in late spring to early summer. These flowers are usually a pink to rosy color, and they are known to attract hummingbirds and other pollinators to the garden. The plant has a somewhat rounded and dense growth habit, with branches that may arch gracefully as they mature. The overall look of the plant is lush and rich, with the dark foliage setting the stage for the vibrant and abundant blooms that emerge.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Caprifoliaceae.
- Synonyms
  Purpleleaf Weigela, Wine and Roses Weigela, Midnight Wine Weigela, Fine Wine Weigela.
- Common names
  Weigela florida 'Foliis Purpureis'.
Toxicity
- To humans
  Weigela is not commonly listed as a toxic plant to humans. There is limited information regarding its toxicity, which generally indicates it is considered safe around people. However, as with many plants, it is still advisable to avoid ingesting any part of it, and to keep it out of reach of small children who might chew on it, as individual reactions can vary and non-edible plants can sometimes cause gastrointestinal discomfort if eaten.
- To pets
  Weigela is not commonly listed as a toxic plant to pets. This suggests that it is generally considered non-toxic for animals such as dogs and cats. However, individual animals might have different sensitivities, and consuming non-food plants can potentially lead to gastrointestinal upset for some pets. It's always a good practice to monitor your pets around plants and discourage them from chewing on ornamental plants.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Purple
- Flower color
  Pink
- Height
  4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 meters)
- Spread
  4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 meters)
- Plant type
  Shrub
- Hardiness zones
  4-8
- Native area
  Asia

Benefits

General Benefits
- Ornamental Appeal: Weigela florida 'Foliis Purpureis' adds visual interest to gardens with its purplish-red foliage and pink to red trumpet-shaped flowers.
- Attracts Pollinators: The plant's blooms provide nectar for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, supporting biodiversity.
- Low Maintenance: Once established, the plant is relatively low maintenance, requiring minimal care beyond occasional pruning and watering during dry spells.
- Drought Tolerance: It shows some capacity to withstand dry periods, making it suitable for xeriscaping or gardens with less frequent watering.
- Seasonal Interest: Offers a long flowering period in late spring to early summer and can also have attractive foliage throughout the growing season.
- Wildlife Habitat: The dense foliage can provide shelter for small wildlife and birds may also feed on the plant's seeds.
- Versatility in Landscaping: Can be used in various garden settings such as borders, foundation plantings, or as a stand-alone specimen.
- Adaptable to Soil Conditions: While preferring well-drained soil, Weigela is quite adaptable to different soil types, including clay and sandy soils.
- Urban Tolerant: It can tolerate urban pollution, making it a good choice for city landscapes and roadside plantings.
- Compact Size: Certain cultivars are bred to be compact, making them suitable for small gardens and spaces.
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
- Weigela can be used as a natural dye source for fabrics, yielding colors that may vary depending on the mordant used.
- The branches of Weigela can be incorporated into floral arrangements, adding a touch of natural beauty with their arching form and leaves.
- The dense foliage of Weigela can offer privacy when planted in hedges or as a living screen in gardens and yards.
- Weigela can be used in theme gardens, such as a 'gothic' garden, due to its dark purplish foliage of the 'Foliis Purpureis' variety.
- The plant can provide a natural habitat and shelter for wildlife, especially small birds that may nest among the branches.
- Weigela can be used in artistic landscape designs as a specimen plant to create focal points with its intriguing foliage and blooms.
- When dried, the leaves and stems of Weigela can contribute to potpourris, offering texture and possibly a subtle fragrance.
- This plant can be a subject for botanical illustration and photography due to its decorative leaves and flowers.
- Weigela offers seasonal interest in winter landscapes, especially in regions with snow, as the bare branches provide a striking silhouette.
- The woody stems of Weigela can be used in crafts, such as creating walking sticks or as a part of rustic homemade furniture.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Weigela is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Weigela is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Renewal: Weigela symbolizes renewal and rebirth as it blooms each year bringing fresh blossoms and revitalized foliage.
- Perseverance: The Weigela, able to adapt to various soils and conditions, represents the ability to persevere through challenging circumstances.
- Welcome: With its inviting trumpet-shaped flowers, Weigela is often associated with hospitality and welcoming new encounters.
- Romantic Affection: The lush, soft-hued flowers can symbolize the gentleness and sweetness in romantic relationships.
- Enduring Beauty: As Weigela maintains its attractive appearance throughout the seasons, it represents lasting beauty and endurance over time.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Water the Purpleleaf Weigela deeply, ensuring that the water penetrates the soil to reach the plant's roots. During the first growing season, it's crucial to maintain evenly moist soil, which may require watering once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions. After establishment, water the shrub less frequently, providing about an inch of water per week. In hot, dry periods, you may need to increase watering to every few days. Always check the soil moisture before watering; it should be moist but not soggy, and let the top inch dry out between watering sessions.
Light
Purpleleaf Weigela thrives in full sun to partial shade, where it can receive at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. An ideal spot is where the morning sun can greet the plant, with some dappled shade in the afternoon to protect it from the intense, late-day sun. The more sunlight the shrub receives, the more vibrant the foliage and flowers will be.
Temperature
Purpleleaf Weigela prefers temperate climates and is hardy in USDA zones 4 through 8. It can tolerate winter lows down to -30°F and summer highs up to 95°F. The plant’s ideal growing temperatures range between 50°F and 75°F, thriving in typical outdoor conditions without requiring any special temperature control.
Pruning
Prune Purpleleaf Weigela immediately after it finishes flowering to maintain its shape and encourage bushier growth. Pruning at this time allows the plant to develop new buds for the next season. Cut back about a third of the oldest stems to the ground to rejuvenate the plant every few years.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
The best soil mix for Weigela, commonly known as Wine and Roses Weigela, should be well-draining with a mixture of loam, peat, and sand to ensure good drainage and aeration. An ideal soil pH for this plant is slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 5.5 to 7.5. Adding organic matter like compost will enhance soil fertility and structure, promoting healthy growth.
Repotting
Wine and Roses Weigela, which is typically grown outdoors, does not require frequent repotting. When grown in containers, it may need repotting every 2 to 3 years to refresh the soil and provide room for growth. Always choose a slightly larger pot and repot in the spring before new growth begins.
Humidity & Misting
Wine and Roses Weigela is adaptable to a wide range of humidity levels and generally does well in the average outdoor humidity found in its growing zones. It does not require any special humidity adjustments when planted outdoors in its suitable hardiness zones.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Ensure bright indirect light, well-draining soil, moderate watering.
- Outdoor
  Full sun to partial shade, well-draining soil, and spacing 4-6 ft apart.
- Hardiness zone
  4-8 USDA
Life cycle
Weigela florida 'Foliis Purpureis', commonly known as Wine and Roses Weigela, starts its life cycle as a seed, which, under the right conditions, germinates and produces a small seedling. The seedling then grows into a young plant with characteristic purple foliage and establishes itself, developing a root system and foliage through the vegetative growth stage. As the plant matures, it enters the flowering stage, usually in late spring to early summer, where it produces pink to red trumpet-shaped flowers that are attractive to pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds. After pollination, the flowers develop into small, inconspicuous capsules containing seeds, completing the plant's reproductive cycle. Once mature, the Weigela plant may continue to grow and bloom annually for many years, entering a period of maintenance where pruning is important to encourage healthy growth and blooming. Eventually, as the plant ages, it experiences a decline stage where it may become less vigorous and productive until it dies.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- The most popular method of propagating Weigela florida 'Foliis Purpureis', commonly known as Wine & Roses Weigela, is through softwood cuttings. This usually takes place in late spring to early summer when the plant's new growth is still tender and flexible. To propagate, select healthy, non-flowering shoots and cut a piece about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) long. Strip the leaves from the lower half of each cutting, then dip the cut end in rooting hormone powder to increase the chances of successful root development. The prepared cuttings should be planted in a mix of half peat and half perlite or sand to provide adequate drainage and aeration, ensuring that at least two sets of leaf nodes are buried. Cuttings should be kept in a warm, humid environment with indirect light until roots develop, after which they can be potted up individually.