Wine and Roses Weigela
Weigela florida 'Alexandra'
flowerWine and Roses is the weigela that brought dark foliage to the shrub border, an award-winning selection (cultivar name Alexandra) grown for the striking contrast of rosy-pink flowers against glossy burgundy-purple leaves. It forms an arching, rounded deciduous shrub about five feet tall and wide, and in late spring it lines its branches with funnel-shaped, hummingbird-luring pink flowers, often reblooming sporadically through summer. The dark foliage holds its color all season and deepens in full sun, making it a bold partner for chartreuse or silver plants. Tough, adaptable, and easy, weigela is an old-fashioned favorite given a modern, colorful makeover.
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Sun
full sun
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Water
Every 7 days
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Bloom
~45 days
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Difficulty
easy
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Lifecycle
perennial
Comes back every year
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Spacing
4-5 ft apart
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Planting Depth
Set the root ball level with the soil surface
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Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Growing Details
Soil Type
Average, well-drained (clay-tolerant)
Hardiness Zones
Zones 4 – 8
When to Fertilize
Once in early spring as growth begins
Fertilizer
Balanced fertilizer or compost
🌱 Growing Guide
Grow weigela in full sun for the strongest flower display and the deepest foliage color - it tolerates light shade but blooms less and the leaves green up - in average, medium-moisture, well-drained soil; it is adaptable and notably clay tolerant. It is hardy in zones 4 to 8 and quite low maintenance once established, needing only moderate water in dry spells. It blooms primarily on old wood (last year branches), so prune right after the main late-spring flush to shape it and to remove any dead or winter-killed tips; pruning later removes next year flower buds. A light shaping after the first bloom can also encourage the sporadic summer rebloom this variety is known for.
🌼 Have a different variety?Cultivars of the same species usually share the same basic care — they differ mainly in flower color, height, and bloom form, not in how you grow them. So this guide still applies even if your exact variety isn't the one shown.
Planting Calendar
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Direct sow
Apr 15
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Projected first bloom
May 30
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
✅ Plant alongside
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
- Catmint — A soft blue mound that contrasts the dark foliage and rosy flowers and draws bees in the same sunny bed
- Spirea — A gold-leaved spirea makes a striking contrast with the burgundy weigela foliage
- Black-Eyed Susan — Golden summer daisies that pop against the dark leaves and extend pollinator interest
🛡️ Pest & disease prevention
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Cluster on tender new shoots and buds - rinse off with water and encourage ladybugs
Stipple leaves in hot dry spells - rinse the foliage and keep the plant from drought stress
Bumps on stems that weaken the shrub - prune out heavy infestations and treat with horticultural oil in late dormancy
A white film in humid, crowded conditions - space for airflow and avoid wetting the foliage late in the day
🌸 Blooms & cutting
Weigela makes a pretty cut branch, and the dark-leaved flowering stems are striking in arrangements - cut them in the cool morning as the flowers open. In the garden the main task is pruning right after the big late-spring bloom: shape the arching shrub, cut out any dead or winter-killed wood, and a light trim then often coaxes a second sprinkling of flowers in summer. Avoid pruning later in the season, which sacrifices next spring flowers on this old-wood bloomer.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
An ornamental flowering shrub of good pollinator value - the tubular spring flowers are a favorite of hummingbirds and are also worked by bees and butterflies. Grown for its colorful foliage and bloom; non-toxic and safe around pets and children.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.