Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Rose Weigela, Deciduous Shrub, Woody Plant of The Day

Weigela florida 'Brigela (French Lace™)'
    Old Fashioned Weigela,  Rose Weigela


Type    Shrub, woody plant
Hardy range    4B to 8A
Height    24" to 4' / 60cm to 1.20m
Spread    24" to 4' / 60cm to 1.20m
Growth rate    Slow
Form    Rounded, upright or erect and vase shaped
Exposure    Full sun
Persistence    Deciduous

Bloom Color    Red
Bloom Time    Spring

The flowers are very showy.

Environment
This plant tolerates some drought.
This plant will grow in dry soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to alkaline (less than 6.8 to more than 7.7) soil.

Leaf Color    Green, variegated and yellow
Fall Color    No change in fall color
This plant has attractive foliage.

Culture Notes
Weigela grows best in a sunny location and moist soil.  Shaded plants are straggly.  Weigela also dislikes crowding.  The growth rate is moderate and the shrub transplants well, reaching a mature height and spread of only 2 to 4 feet.  Some annual dieback and winter injury make annual pruning necessary. It is best to perform any needed pruning immediately after they have flowered. Canadian cultivars (the so called Dance cultivars) are the most cold hardy. Plants suffer in the deep south eastern part of the US. This plant is considered mostly allergy free and causes little or no allergy problems in most people.

Planting and establishing shrubs

The most common cause of young plant failure is planting too deep.  Plant the root ball no deeper than it was in the nursery.  In most instances, the root flare zone (point where the top-most root in the root ball originates from the trunk) should be located just above the landscape soil surface. Sometimes plants come from the nursery with soil over the root flare. If there is soil over this area, scrape it off.  The planting hole should be at least twice the width of the root ball, preferably wider.  In all but exceptional circumstances where the soil is very poor, there is no need to incorporate anything into the backfill soil except the loosened soil that came out of the planting hole.  Never place ANY soil over the root ball. If a row or grouping of plants is to be installed, excavating or loosening the soil in the entire bed and incorporating organic matter enhances root growth and establishment rate.

Weed suppression during establishment is essential.  Apply a 3-inch thick layer of mulch around the plant to help control weed growth.  Keep it at least 10 inches from the trunk.  If you apply it over the root ball, apply only a one or two inch layer.   This allows rainwater and air to easily enter the root ball and keeps the trunk dry.  Placing mulch against the trunk or applying too thick a layer above the root ball can kill the plant by oxygen starvation, death of bark, stem and root diseases, prevention of hardening off for winter, vole and other rodent damage to the trunk, keeping soil too wet, or repelling water.  Regular irrigation through the first growing season after planting encourages rapid root growth, which is essential for quick plant establishment.

Common Periwinkle, Perennial Of The Day



Vinca mino
Common Periwinkle, English Holly, Creeping Vinca


 
Type Perennial
Hardy range 4A to 9A
Height 6" to 12" / 15cm to 30cm
Growth rate Fast
Form Prostrate, spreading or horizontal and variable spread
Exposure Full shade to full sun
Persistence Evergreen
Bloom Color Blue, lavender, purple and white
Bloom Time Spring and Summer

Environment This plant tolerates some drought and occasional wetness. This plant will grow in moist soil. Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay. The pH preference is an acidic to slightly alkaline (less than 6.8 to 7.7) soil.

Leaf Color Green
Fall Color No change in fall color

This plant has attractive foliage.
The flowers are showy.


Culture Notes Cut back hard in the spring to rid plants of discolored foliage and to enjoy the new growth. This plant thrives in the shade, but foliage discolors in the north in full sun. This does not kill the plant; it simply makes the plant somewhat less than attractive in winter. Plants fill in fastest when located in partial to full shade in loose, moist soil with plenty of organic matter and adequate water. Can be used on banks or in other rough locations, provided soil is suitable. A variegated form is available. This plant is considered mostly allergy free and causes little or no allergy problems in most people.