PlantFiles: Old Fashioned Weigela
Weigela florida 'Variegata'

I agree it's a beautiful shrub but lasted one season in my 5a zone -- definitely needs milder winter.

I had never heard of this plant untill about 2 years ago when my mother-in-law gave me one. It is beautiful!! It's a fast grower for me and stands out in my flower bed. With blooms it is even better but even without the blooms I think it's pretty because of the bright variegated leaves.

This plant was my mom's and has been growing in front of the house for at least 15 years. She never pruned it but it has continued to grow beautifully and blooms profusely every year. I'm going to attempt to root some cuttings to plant in other areas and share with my sisters.

I really liked the foliage on this plant, but it had a lot of winter dieback and very slow flowering.

A strong 'positive!' The more this bush is pruned at the tips, the more often it will bloom. My two have bloomed all summer.

Although the leaves of this plant are lovely, it does not bloom in my upstate NY garden. It dies back in winter even though it is in a sheltered location. This area is listed as 5A on Zone Map.

I have had success in rooting this plant by taking cuttings, dipping them in water, then a powdered rooting hormone and placing them in a pre-moistened potting (soil-less) mixture. I then placed the whole container in a gallon-sized ziploc bag and added water to the bottom, sealed it shut and waited about 6-8 weeks. I was rewarded with a lot of new growth (every single cutting took root.)

Although a very old cultivar, it is still readily available, no doubt due to its spectacular foliage. There flowers open light pink and deeped as they age. There are many newer variegated Weigela available with flowers in different colours. Many of the newer cultivars are smaller in stature but if you have space, 'Variegata' is still highly recommended. Synonym names include 'Argenteo-marginata' and 'Aureovariegata'.

I first saw a large, spectacular example of this lovely shrub at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. I have a five year old plant growing in a 16" pot in my yard. Although it has been neglected, rootbound, partially shaded and subjected to several sever winters without protection, it continues to flourish and blossom profusely (although I suspect not as long as if it were better treated) each year. It is probably the toughest plant in the garden and certainly deserves better treatment than it's been getting. Hmmm...I'll plant it in a place of honor worthy of it. I promise. I highly recommend it. Flowers lovely in spring, leaves and habit interesting year round.