PlantFiles: Middendorf Weigela
Weigela middendorffiana

This is possibly my most favourite Weigela by far. The shrub itself seems to be more compact or vigorous than my other Weigelas and when it blooms, wow! The flowers are very plump and large compared to other Weigela sp. Mine are a yellowy colour with a nice bright orange spotted throat. I think the bright orange throat is what drives the hummers and butterfly's Krazy! It's very noticeable in bloom and everyone will ask you what it is. It's highly attractive to hummers and other birds as well as beneficial insects and I suppose some insects that are not so beneficial although I have had no problems. Now, I just planted this shrub a few years ago and it's doing great here in Montana. Actually, I didn't think it would succeed at all but surprise! It seems to like it here very well. Mine also blooms intermittently throughout the year instead of only in the late spring or early summer in this high mountain, arid climate. But, I also baby it a lot. Don't ever want to lose this beauty. So, I give it a big thumbs up and think it much more attractive than the other species of Weigela. If you can find one for sale, get it. They are not easy to find in the states for some odd reason. Mine grows fine in our clayey, lean and limey soil although I have added acid fert as that's what they are supposed to like according to what I have read. I think I'll leave it alone from now on. It's doing fine and seems very happy.

Without blooms, it looks like all the rest of the Weigela, but in bloom, it is quite different. The flowers are more plump than the standard Weigela and are sulfur yellow with reddish-orange markings in the throat. They actually perform best in light shade, away from cold winds. Locally, I've seen them offered infrequently.