Weigela: winter-hardy varieties for the Moscow region with photos and names, reviews

Planting and caring for weigela in the Moscow region is of interest to many gardeners. Due to its decorative and unpretentiousness, as well as the variety of varieties, the shrub is very popular. Belongs to the honeysuckle family. Weigela got its name from the German professor Christian Ehrenfried von Weigel, a chemist and botanist. There are more than 15 species of beautiful shrubs, some of which can be easily grown in the Moscow region.

Features of growing weigela in different regions

Weigela grows best under the climatic conditions of Central Asia. All 15 species are found there. The shrub blooms twice a season, so it is included in continuous flowering compositions. Another feature is the difference in the color of the buds when the opening stage changes. At first they are light, but as they open, they become much brighter.

Varietal species are quite resistant to low temperatures due to the work of the breeder. Therefore, you can choose weigela varieties suitable for the climate of the Moscow region. Of the 15 species, only 7 are grown by culture. They differ in height, requirements for temperature and soil indicators.

How to choose the right variety

The main attention when choosing a plant for the Moscow region should be given to its winter hardiness. It is not advisable to cultivate heat-loving varieties of weigela in the Moscow region. Therefore, the variety should be as adapted as possible to the climatic conditions of the region in which it is planned to grow weigela. When buying, be sure to pay attention to these parameters. For problem regions, it is important to plant frost-resistant species.

The best varieties of weigela for the Moscow region

According to the reviews of gardeners in the Moscow region, weigela varieties grow best, which are unpretentious to soil conditions and tolerate winter cooling well. Suitable weigela varieties for the Moscow region, their photos and names are presented below:

1. Middendorf. A low-growing variety, an adult weigela reaches 1,5 m. It differs in the duration of flowering. The period lasts a month. Likes moist peaty soil. The flowers are cream or yellow, the leaves remain colored until mid-autumn. Requires shelter, otherwise the bush may suffer from frost.

   

2. Early weigela. Recognized by gardeners of the Moscow region as the most beautiful view. The height of the varieties is slightly higher from 1,5 m to 2,5 m. The bush is sprawling, covered with buds at the end of May. Blooms very luxuriantly for 2 weeks. The bush is initially covered with buds of a purple hue, then their color changes to bright pink or purple. The foliage is bright green, but turns brown in autumn. It belongs to unpretentious species, therefore it is ubiquitous in the expanses of the Moscow region. Prefers open areas and tolerates soil diversity well. Weigela early does not require special skills when planting and caring.

   

3. Garden weigela. Shrub of small size – up to 1 m. A feature of the species is the extraordinary color of the flower – pink-carmine. With such beautiful flowers, the bush is completely covered and takes the form of a flowering hat.

   

If you plant a suitable variety for the Moscow region, then the shrub will retain its shape and flowering for many years.

For the Leningrad region

Gardeners in this region should pay attention to hybrid varieties, such as Candida shrub with white flowers, Gustave Mallet with carmine red, Sieboldii Argenteo-marginata with soft pink and Eva Rathke with light carmine, Lucifer with bright red.

Varieties of weigela for the middle lane

In the middle lane, gardeners prefer hybrid species. The region also successfully grows Weigela Middendorf and Orchard. They tolerate lower temperatures worse, but with proper shelter they winter well. In summer they delight their owners with abundant flowering.

Growing weigela in the Moscow region, the Leningrad region and the middle lane

The adaptability of weigela to growing conditions is quite high. Therefore, almost throughout Our Country, the plant is successfully cultivated. But for gardeners in the middle lane, the Leningrad region and the Moscow region, some nuances must be taken into account. Without their observance, it will not be possible to grow a spectacular weigela in a harsh climate.

Recommended dates

Landing in areas with a cool climate is recommended in the spring. This will save the seedlings from unpredictable weather and give them the opportunity to establish themselves before the onset of frost.

The optimal time for the middle lane is the middle or end of March. Gardeners of the Moscow region and the Leningrad region should move the deadlines to April. If weigela seedlings were purchased in the fall, then they should be buried and covered.

Site selection and soil preparation

A place on the territory of the Moscow region for weigela is chosen carefully, taking into account all the subtleties. The plant loves light. The more abundant it is illuminated, the better the result. The second nuance is the absence of northern winds. In gusts, flowers and leaves are quickly damaged. The shrub loses its decorative effect and can get sick. Therefore, planting and caring for weigela in the Leningrad Region requires a certain set of knowledge from gardeners. In this region, the plant is exposed to cold winds. It is good to find a place near the wall of the building on the south side.

The most suitable soil for weigela is loose and fertile. It is important not to allow it to be compacted or too wet. A soil mixture is prepared from soddy land, sand and humus (1:2:2). According to the degree of acidity, varieties prefer neutral soil.

Landing algorithm

According to reviews, planting weigels and leaving in the Moscow region are almost the same as the areas of the middle lane. The process consists of several stages:

1. Soil preparation. A particularly important stage for areas of the Moscow region, where the land does not meet the requirements of the plant. It is necessary to carry out liming on acidic soils.
2. Seating preparation. The pit is needed in the form of a cube with sides of 50 cm. A drainage layer of gravel or broken bricks 15 cm thick is laid on the bottom.
3. Seedling selection. The main attention is paid to the condition of the bark, branches and root system. It is best to purchase seedlings at the age of 3 years with a good clod of earth. The photo shows a weigela seedling before planting and subsequent departure to the Moscow region.

   

4. Preparation of the nutrient mixture. The soil is mixed with superphosphate (60 g) and potassium salt (40 g).
5. Treatment of roots with a growth stimulator. The procedure is performed according to the instructions for the drug.
6. Planting a weigela seedling. The plant is set on a mound, the roots are straightened, covered with soil and compacted a little.
7. Water the plant well and mulch the near-trunk circle. For mulch, gardeners in the Moscow region use sawdust or shredded bark. The radius of the mulch layer is at least 50 cm, the thickness is 10 cm.

When group planting on the territory of the Moscow region, the distance between undersized varieties can withstand about 1 m, for tall ones it will take 2 m.

Care instructions

When caring for weigela, gardeners need to perform traditional activities for plants – watering, fertilizing, pruning. For regions with a cool climate, preparation for winter is of particular importance so that the plant does not die. But before the onset of winter, the plant needs:

1. Watering. Weigela is just a godsend for gardeners of the Moscow region in this matter. The shrub does not need regular watering. The main time spent on watering is spent in the first 2 years of cultivation. You will have to monitor the soil moisture and water the seedlings as the soil dries out. Then mandatory watering is needed in the spring after a winter with little snow to ensure abundant flowering. The rest of the year – depending on weather conditions.
2. Top dressing. The plant needs additional nutrition 2-3 times per season. Weigela responds well to both organic and mineral compositions. For the first time, gardeners of the Moscow region feed the bushes in early spring after the snow melts and the shelter is removed. To do this, use a complex of urea (20 g), potassium salt (10 g), superphosphate (10 g). You can replace the mixture with nitrophoska, organic or Kemira-Lux. At the time of bud formation (early June), double superphosphate (30 g) + potassium sulfate (30 g) is required. Additionally, you can add 200 g of wood ash or Kemiru-lux under the weigela bush in the autumn when digging in the autumn. For a good wintering, potassium components are added.
3. In addition to proper planting and caring for weigela in the Moscow region, it is necessary to correctly trim the shrub. This important event begins in early spring. At this time, frozen, damaged or dry branches are removed. Adult bushes still need shaping after flowering. Remove diseased or poorly developed shoots or growing inward, old branches are cut to well-developed buds. Crown formation is required once every 2-3 years. To do this, all shoots are shortened by 1/3 of the length.

   

   Important! Autumn pruning of weigela in areas of the Moscow region is not recommended.
4. Transfer. Required only for heavily overgrown bushes or for a change of location. Transplant only in spring.

To prevent weigela disease, you need to spray the bushes for preventive purposes.

A very popular variety in cool regions should be distinguished from the species of blooming weigela Alexander. This is an unusually beautiful variety with crimson flowers and purple leaves. It should be noted that in the Moscow region, planting and caring for Alexander’s weigela does not differ from other varieties. It is important to remember that the bush requires shelter for the winter.

How to cover for the winter

Proper shelter will enable the shrub to more easily endure the winter months. Prior to this, it is imperative to comply with the requirements of agricultural technology so that the plant meets the cold with good immunity. Knowing how weigela winters in the middle lane will help to properly conduct a shelter. Frost-resistant varieties sometimes do not even require shelter, and heat-loving varieties do not tolerate low temperatures very well and can freeze.

Weigela shelter for the winter in the Moscow region

The climate in the region is characterized by a sharp change in weather and the predominance of westerly winds. Start covering activities in early November. Preparation of weigela for winter in the Moscow region begins with the harvesting of fallen leaves in order to prevent pests from overwintering. Then the gardeners of the Moscow region:

1. Treat the near-stem part with a fungicide.
2. They move on to loosening the soil around the trunk and hilling it. The mound should be about 20 cm.
3. The branches are bent to the ground, after tying them up and placing spruce branches under them. This is necessary so that the bark does not come into contact with the ground.
4. On top there is still a layer of spruce branches and a plastic film that needs to be fixed.

It is important to fill all the voids so that moisture does not get into them, then the weigela wintering in the Moscow region will pass without problems.

Ways to shelter weigela for the winter in the Moscow region can be used differently, for example, as in the video:

Weigela shelter for the winter in the middle lane

In these areas, the method of shelter depends on climatic features. If the region is characterized by warm snowy winters, then loosening and hilling the trunk will be enough. Additionally, weigela can be covered with foliage. If the climate is cooler and the winters are snowless, then you need to cover the shrub more carefully.

How to cover a weigela in the Leningrad region

Preparatory activities do not differ from other regions – leaf cleaning, loosening, fungicide treatment. But the Leningrad region is considered much colder. Therefore, you need to start in October, and a simple shelter is indispensable here.

1. The bush is first spudded.
2. Then a frame is installed above it, which is covered with spanbond or lutrasil.
3. Additionally covered with a film to protect against moisture.
4. All voids formed are filled with spruce branches.

Shelter work in the Leningrad Region must be done with high quality so that the weigela endures the harsh winter well. If the bush is frozen, then in the spring it needs abundant watering.

Pests and diseases

Deciduous plants are always visited by caterpillars, in the hot months – ticks, thrips. Depending on the number of parasites, you can use folk remedies (an infusion of pepper or garlic) or chemicals (“Keltan”).

In case of violations of agricultural technology and lack of attention, the bush can get sick with gray rot, rust, spotting. Treatment is carried out with Bordeaux liquid and other copper-containing compounds. The best way in the areas of the Moscow region is considered to be preventive spring treatment with Topsin-M.

Conclusion

Planting and caring for weigela in the Moscow region require a minimum of effort from the gardener. But proper implementation of activities will decorate the site for many years. Weigela perfectly decorates the lawn, goes well with conifers, harmonizes with bulbous and primroses. A variety of varieties makes it possible to choose the right one for the climate.