Weigela (Weigela florida ‘Alexandra’ WINE AND ROSES)

Features and Characteristics

Weigela florida is native to northern China, Korea and Japan. It is a dense, rounded, deciduous shrub that typically grows to 6-10’ tall and may spread over time to as much as 12’ wide. Branching is somewhat coarse, and branches on mature shrubs tend to arch toward the ground. Funnel-shaped, rose pink flowers (each to 25” long) bloom profusely in spring, with a sparse and scattered repeat bloom often occurring in mid to late summer. Elliptic to obovate, medium green leaves (to 5” long) with serrate margins retain good color throughout the growing season. Insignificant fall color. Fruit is inconspicuous. Flowers are attractive to hummingbirds.

The genus name Weigela honors Christian Ehrenfried Weigel (1748-183- , German professor at the University of Geifswald.

The specific epithet florida means “freely flowering”, in reference to the flowering habit of this species.

‘Alexandra’, sold under the trade name of WINE AND ROSES, typically grows 4-5′ tall with a slightly larger spread. It is primarily grown for its profuse reddish-pink spring flowers and its purple foliage. Patented under the original cultivar name of ‘Alexandra’ (PP10,77- . Winner of the Pennsylvania Horticulture Society Gold Medal Plant Award for 2000.