Rosy-pink flowers add a touch of romance when displayed against this shrubs dark glossy foliage. Produces a huge amount of flowers in spring that re-bloom throughout summer.
Pruning is an essential part of caring for wine and roses weigela bushes. Proper pruning encourages healthy growth, abundant blooms, and an attractive shape. In this article, we’ll walk through when and how to prune wine and roses weigela for the best results.
When to Prune Wine and Roses Weigela
The optimal time to prune wine and roses weigela is in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges. Pruning at this time allows cuts to heal quickly and avoids accidentally removing newly developing flower buds.
Late winter or early spring pruning sets up the shrub for success in the coming growing season It removes dead, damaged, or diseased wood while the plant is dormant. Pruning then won’t stress the plant or shock it out of dormancy.
Pruning Tools and Technique
Use clean, sharp bypass pruning shears or loppers when pruning wine and roses weigela. Sterilize tools before each pruning session with isopropyl alcohol to prevent disease transmission.
Make cuts just above outward facing buds or branches. Angle cuts away from the center of the plant to encourage outward growth. Remove dead, damaged, and crossing or rubbing branches at their point of origin.
Thin inner branches to open up the center of the plant to sunlight and air circulation But avoid overthinning, as too much pruning stresses the plant.
How Much to Prune
Wine and roses weigela blooms on one year old wood, so avoid pruning off current season’s growth. As a rule of thumb, prune no more than one third of the total height in one season. For overgrown, neglected plants, rejuvenation pruning over two to three years is better than one drastic pruning.
Remove older branches all the way to the ground to encourage new growth from the roots. Cut back remaining younger stems by one third their height. Then shape the plant as desired.
Pruning for Shape
Prune wine and roses weigela as needed through the growing season to maintain a desired shape. These shrubs can become wide and overgrown if left unpruned.
Prune to:
- Control height and width
- Create a rounded, mounded shape
- Remove wayward branches
- Open up the center to sunlight
Aftercare
After pruning:
- Water thoroughly to help the plant recover
- Apply a balanced organic fertilizer to encourage new growth
- Monitor for pests and diseases while wounds heal
- Cover fresh pruning wounds with mulch or tree paint
Signs It’s Time to Prune Your Wine and Roses Weigela
Monitor weigela bushes year round and prune as needed to:
- Remove dead, damaged, or diseased wood
- Rejuvenate overgrown shrubs
- Maintain desired size and shape
- Improve sunlight and air circulation
- Encourage blooms
Signs it’s time to prune include:
- Dieback in branches
- Lack of flowers
- Overgrown, sparse interior
- Crossing, crowded branches
- Damaged branches from weather or disease
Pruning wine and roses weigela cultivars in late winter or early spring keeps plants healthy and looking their best. Remove dead wood, thin overgrown plants, and shape as desired. Disinfect tools before pruning and avoid removing more than one third of total growth to prevent plant stress. With proper technique and timing, pruning encourages abundant blooms and a beautiful shape in wine and roses weigela bushes.
How to Care for Wine & Roses® Weigela
Before you purchase your Weigela Wine and Roses Shrub, be sure to read the recommended care instructions to ensure your plant remains happy and healthy for years to come!
How do I fertilize Weigela Wine and Roses?
We recommend fertilizing your Wine and Roses shrubs 10 to 14 days after you initially planted them. You can use granular, slow-release fertilizer and follow the instructions on the label. However, dilute the strength by half before applying to ensure you do not over-fertilize your plant and burn the roots. Make sure to water thoroughly after you fertilize the shrub to evenly distribute the nutrients throughout the soil. Once your plant becomes well-established you will only need to fertilize once or twice a year. However, do not fertilize your plant during its growth dormancy seasons of late fall and winter.
Pruning Wine and Roses Weigela, Siberian Iris and Poppies!
FAQ
When to cut back wine and roses in weigela?
-
Timing is key:Pruning Weigela after flowering is crucial because they bloom on one-year-old wood, meaning the buds for next year’s flowers are formed on the current year’s growth.
-
Why prune after bloom?By pruning after the flowers fade, you won’t accidentally remove the flower buds that will produce blooms the following year.
-
What to do:
- Shape and size: You can prune to improve the shape and reduce the size of the shrub.
- Remove dead or dying wood: Regularly remove any dead or diseased branches.
- Avoid over-pruning: Don’t remove more than 30% of the top growth at once.
- Consider rejuvenation: For older, overgrown Weigelas, you can cut back stems to ground level to encourage new growth.
- Shape and size: You can prune to improve the shape and reduce the size of the shrub.
-
Summer pruning:Some summer pruning can be done on vigorous plants, but not after mid-July.
How hard can I prune weigela?
Top prune the plant to improve the shape and reduce its size but, be careful not to remove more than 30% of the top growth.
How do I get my weigela to bloom again?
- Ensure the plant is receiving enough sunlight.
- Make sure new growth was not removed.
- Trim away old growth.
- Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer once during the spring.
- If grown in a container, make sure the plant is not rootbound.
How do you cut back a Weigela?
Trim back a second flush of bloom the same way. Cut back the largest, tallest branches at the base of the plant, eliminating one-third of the plant’s growth each year once your Wine and Roses weigela is mature.
Should you prune wine and roses weigela?
Pruning your Wine and Roses Weigela (Weigela florida ‘Alexandra’) is an important part of maintaining a healthy, attractive shrub. After pruning, however, it is important to follow certain steps for proper maintenance. Doing so will ensure that the shrub continues to thrive and remain in top condition.
How do you prune a Weigela plant?
Pruning a weigela plant will help it maintain its shape, promotes healthy growth, and improves flowering. If you follow the proper guidelines when pruning a weigela plant, you can help it to grow healthy and strong! Saw 2-3 secondary stems to the ground on mature plants. Cutting secondary stems will give you a fuller weigela plant.
When should you prune a Weigela?
Prune the weigela in early spring, just before new growth begins. This will help to ensure that the plant has plenty of energy and resources available to promote healthy growth. Cut away any dead, diseased, or damaged branches. This will help to ensure that the plant is healthy and free of disease. Prune the weigela to maintain its desired shape.
Why do Weigela bushes need to be pruned?
Pruning accomplishes several important things for weigela bushes Promotes flower production – Weigela blooms on one-year-old wood. Pruning encourages new growth that will bloom the following year. Maintains shape/size – Pruning controls errant growth and keeps shrubs neat and compact. Prevents legginess.
How do you care for wine and roses weigela?
Pruning is just one aspect of caring for weigela shrubs. Here are some other tips for success with Wine and Roses weigela: Choose a site with full sun to part shade and well-drained soil. Apply 2-3 inches of mulch around the root zone to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.