The Right Place
As a group weigelas are sensitive to the climate. They do not like really warm climates, yet in the colder regions they often suffer frostbite on branch tips. Most types of weigela have best success from mid-Florida north to New York City or so (zones 9 to 5). Some hardier types can handle New England winters.
Weigelas like plenty of sun, but manage in very light shade. They are not fussy about soil type, but they do best in moist, fertile, well-drained soil.
Planting Nursery Stock
Purchase container grown stock between 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 feet tall. Weigelas are usually readily available at nurseries. Plant weigela either in the spring or the fall. Keep the shrub moist until planting time. Then remove it from its container and loosen any matted or coiled roots, spreading them gently. Dig a saucer shaped hole wide enough to accommodate the spread roots and as deep as the container. Set the shrub in the hole, taking care that the top of its soil ball is level or slightly higher than the surrounding soil level. Fill the hole with soil, firming it periodically around and over the shrub's roots. Water generously and often until the shrub is established. Do not fertilize it at this time.
Amendments In Planting or Transplanting
There are a number of products at the garden center that will help your newly planted or transplanted plants deal better with the stress inherent in the planting process. All healthy plants have beneficial fungi, called mycorrhizal fungi, living on their roots. You can buy these valuable additions to your plant’s ecosystem. See the file describing Using Micorrhizae When Planting.
In addition, there are a number of products such as seaweed, compost tea, and beneficial soil microbes that when added to the planting process will help your newly established plants get going faster. See the file New Technology In Plant Growth Activators
For more information see the file on Planting Shrubs. For planting tools see Hand Tools For Digging and Planting in Yardener’s Tool Shed.
