If you’re lucky enough to have a spilled wine weigela in your garden, you know how stunning it can be. But winter can be harsh on plants, and weigela is no exception.
Don’t fret, though – all it takes is some extra attention for your spilled wine weigela in winter! The key is to understand the plant’s specific needs and provide it with the proper care.
Put on your gardening gloves and learn how to make this deciduous shrub thrive, even in the coldest months!
Spilled Wine Weigela: A Brief Introduction
“Novice gardeners should try planting the spilled wine weigela plant at least once,” that’s something users on popular garden forums, such as Moosey’s Country Garden or Garden Guides, all agree with.
With exquisite dark purple leaves and charming pink flowers, this stunning shrub is a joy to behold all year round. In North China, Japan, and Korea, the weigela flower symbolizes growth and beauty.
The weigela plant typically grows to be around 2-3 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide, making it the top choice for those who seek a plant that won’t take up too much space.
Like other weigela varieties, it thrives in moist (but not too wet), well-drained soil and does best in full sun to partial shade.
Taking care of spilled wine weigela is a breeze: The plant hardiness makes it extremely easy to grow. It can survive in almost any location.
Hence, I’d recommend the weigela to both seasoned and novice gardeners who want to add a touch of beauty to their outdoor spaces.
How To Take Care Of Spilled Wine Weigela In Winter?
To prevent wine weigela from dying in late winter, perform winter cleanup & apply mulch to the plant’s base to promote vigorous growth.
Prune any dead, damaged, or diseased branches and water it sparingly to keep the soil from drying out completely.
In case you are still confused about what to do with weigela in winter, let’s dive into detail:
Fall Preparation
Though it is a deciduous plant that loses its leaves in the colder months, the weigela’s roots will keep functioning for a while.
Thus, taking extra care of the roots during the fall is critical, especially if you recently planted your shrub.
The key to optimal root health for your weigela in fall is consistent watering. Check the top layer of soil regularly and provide additional water when the top 1-2 inches of soil feels dry.
Adequate moisture in the soil also keeps the roots warm, which promotes healthy growth.
As the fall draws to an end, apply a layer of organic mulch approximately 6 to 8 inches thick. I usually go for coconut mulch; it will retain soil moisture and keep the roots growing consistently.
If you live in a colder area, this layer of mulch also shields the shrub from the harmful effects of freeze-thaw cycles.
Winter Cleanup
Like any deciduous plant, spilled wine weigela benefits from a thorough annual winter cleanup. Once the leaf color has changed and the shrub becomes bare, it’s time to clear away any debris.
This simple yet necessary step prevents insects or diseases from lurking during the long, harsh winter.
To further protect the shrub, I apply an extra layer of pine straw. This layer can range from 4 to 6 inches thick. Avoid letting the straw touch the trunk, as this could cause rot and other damage.
Winter Pruning
Pruning is crucial in weigela winter care since this plant is susceptible to winter dieback.
Keep an eye out for your spilled wine weigela bush in winter and remove any diseased branches. Damaged or dead branches make the entire plant more vulnerable to disease and insects.
Here is a helpful tip for you: Perform pruning from the end of winter to early spring. Weigela flowers bloom on the wood from the previous year and then again on new growth during the current season.
Therefore, it’s essential to time the pruning carefully. If you prune in late spring through late summer, you may accidentally remove the flower buds before they can fully blossom.
Protection Against Winter Sun Damage
Since weigela in the winter is bare, it is vulnerable to sun-scald, which occurs on cold, sunny days when the bark heats up.
This leads to tissue damage once the sun sets and the stems become cold.
Mature plants can see symptoms sometimes, but young or recently transplanted shrubs and those planted in south-facing areas will suffer more from sun-scald.
Symptoms of sun-scald include dried or cracked bark and sunken or shriveled areas on stems. Wrap larger stems with a tree wrap or light-colored plastic tree guard to prevent this.
I often provide shade on the south-facing side by stapling burlap to stakes driven into the ground.
Sun damage often occurs from late winter to late spring, so keep this protection until the weather is warmer.
Winter Irrigation
Do you grow your weigela plant in a container? If so, your winter care for weigela will need extra caution. Container plants may require watering even if the area receives enough rainfall.
Ensure sufficient drainage through the container’s drainage holes. Over time, these holes can become clogged, so keep an eye on your container plants after the rain and ensure the pots do not stand in water.
FAQs
Does Weigela Dieback In Winter?
Unfortunately, yes. Although weigela is famous for being a cold-hardy plant, it is also susceptible to winter dieback. That’s why taking extra care of spilled wine weigela in the winter is critical.
What Does Weigela Look Like In Winter?
Since it belongs to the deciduous category, spilled wine weigela plant doesn’t have any leaves in winter, exposing its bare branches. As a result, the plant is more vulnerable to sun-scald.
Does Weigela Need To Be Cut Back?
Yes, cutting back, or pruning, is an essential step in the winter care of weigela.
Pruning the damaged or dead wood will prevent insects or disease, rejuvenating the shrub for healthy growth and beautiful bloom in the next spring.
While they are not as vital as winter pruning, spring pruning and summer pruning also improve airflow and encourage branch distribution.
The Bottom Line
Indeed, taking care of spilled wine weigela in winter requires extra attention. However, when spring comes, and the delicate pink flowers start to bloom, everything will be worthwhile.
Just ensure you prepare your adorable plant for the harsh weather, prune any damaged branches, and protect it from winter sun damage.
That way, the weigela can thrive even in the coldest months, and your effort will eventually pay off!
Help, my spilled wine weigela looks like it died. Newly planted in summer 2023. I live in Wisconsin. Will they come back with leaves?
Yes, of course. However I need to see the details. Please send me the detail pictures via my contact page.