Weigela shrubs, info please.....

[Mmathis]

Does anyone have experience with this shrub? It's not a water garden plant, just a regular shrub.

After I had 2 trees removed last year, I needed something to add shade to the turtle habitat on one side that gets full sun. And I wanted something with flowers to attract butterflies & possibly hummers. I planted one of these [Wine and Roses] in the Fall, and just got another one the other day [different variety, but don't recall the name right now].

Both varieties I bought will grow to the 4'-5' range, which is about the perfect size, but for now I'm having to provide supplemental shade for the turtles. So, I'm mainly wondering how FAST they grow. Plant info that I've searched so far doesn't give that particular statistic....

And are the grown shrubs as pretty as the info makes them sound? My "Wine & Roses" has dark, purplish leaves with pink blossoms. It's a spring-bloomer with occas. reblooming throughout the year. That shrub is still small, but I did get a few flowers earlier in the spring. The other one has green leaves and they describe the flowers as "lipstick red." It's a larger-sized plant to start out with, and I think it's supposed to bloom more summer-ish, so I may still get to see some flowers.

 

[HARO]

Keep in mind that most transplanted shrubs will spend the first year setting down roots, with modest growth in the second summer, and the third summer is when they REALLY take off! At least around here. Louisiana might be a bit different.
John

 

[Lisak1]

I have a lovely Red Prince Weigela by my front door. I keep it relatively small, which requires twice a year trimming. So I guess I would put that in the fast growing category!

 

[mrsclem]

Yes- very fast growing. I planted them around our heat pump to hide it. I have to prune late spring and again in fall so I can find the heat pump!

 

[Big Lou]

Is this your new Weigela?

https://www.provenwinners.com/plants/weigela/sonic-bloom-red-reblooming-weigela-weigela-florida

 

[addy1]

They grow fast I chop mine back a every year.

 

[Mmathis]

Is this your new Weigela?

https://www.provenwinners.com/plants/weigela/sonic-bloom-red-reblooming-weigela-weigela-florida

Yes, and I was just going to post the name -- I went out and looked at the tag. How did you know?

 

[Mmathis]

Keep in mind that most transplanted shrubs will spend the first year setting down roots, with modest growth in the second summer, and the third summer is when they REALLY take off! At least around here. Louisiana might be a bit different.
John

It's the same here [and as with pond plants -- patience......], but with our heat, have to keep stuff very well watered until growth has been established, and maybe all season depending on planting location. And [despite the fact that I'm planting this weigela now....], our shrubs do much better if planted in the fall.

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@Lisak1 @mrsclem @addy1 Nice to know they'll grow pretty fast -- the turtles need the shade. And I like that arching habit, which will also benefit the turtles need for shade & cover. I don't mind frequent pruning, and actually prefer a shrub that can be fine-tuned.

I had just never heard of this shrub prior to buying the "Wine & Roses" last fall, and if I've ever seen a Weigela, didn't know what it was. Looks like there are so many color varieties available. And as Big Lou just posted, my 2nd shrub is called, "Sonic Bloom."

 

[HARO]

Beauty bush (Kolkwitzia amabilis) is another one that grows rapidly, in an arching habit. Don't know how it is in a warmer climate, though.
John

 

[Tula]

I have some that we're planted in mostly shade and are slow growers. We had a tree come down, and they're growing faster in the sun!

 

[Big Lou]

Yes, and I was just going to post the name -- I went out and looked at the tag. How did you know?

Searched for lipstick red Weigela's.