Content
In the natural environment, weigela is widespread in East Asia, three species are found in the Far East. Based on wild varieties, a large number of hybrids have been created (from dwarf to medium-sized shrubs). The varieties differ in the color of their leaves and flowers. Weigela Red Prince is the result of American selection. The culture is adapted to the climatic conditions of Russia; shrubs are grown to decorate gardens and personal plots.
Description of Weigela Red Prince
Weigela flowering Red Prince is a perennial, deciduous hybrid belonging to medium-sized shrubs. The height and volume of the crown of an adult plant is 1.5 m. The duration of the biological cycle is 30-35 years, the main increase in height and width occurs in the first 5 years of life, the crop adds 15-20 cm per year.
External characteristics of the bush:
- The crown is spreading, dense, round in shape.Shoots are upright with drooping tops, perennial dark brown in color, this year's shoots are green with a gray tint.
- Weigela shrub Red Prince is densely leafy. The leaves are opposite, without petioles, light green with a yellow central vein, yellow in autumn. The edges of the leaf blade are serrated. The surface is smooth, matte. They do not fall until the first frost.
- The root system is powerful, overgrown, superficial, of mixed type.
- The seed pods are oval, dark gray, containing 2 seeds with lionfish. They ripen after each flowering in July and September; summer material is taken for propagation.
Fallen seeds germinate on their own in the spring only in the southern regions. In areas with cold winters, planting material for the next year does not produce young shoots.
How weigela Red Prince blooms
The Red Prince variety blooms 2 times during the growing season and belongs to the average flowering period. Weigela forms buds in mid-May at the top of last year's stems; flowers appear after 14 days. The first flowering of weigela is abundant for 1-1.5 months. The second wave is shorter and less intense. Buds form on young shoots in August, flowers are smaller in size and fade in September.
The flowers are large, bright carmine in color, grow up to 6 cm in length, collected 4-6 pieces in inflorescences. Foma bell-shaped, consist of 5 petals. The decorative appearance of the flower is given by white anthers located on long light pink staminate filaments. Unlike other representatives of the species, Red Prince weigela flowers do not change color and have a delicate aroma.
Application in landscape design
The perennial shrub Red Prince blooms profusely and for a long time, and retains its decorative habit for a long time. These qualities are a priority when choosing a variety. The plant is grown to decorate homestead landscapes, summer cottages, and gardens. Used for landscaping urban recreation areas, neighborhoods, and areas adjacent to administrative buildings.
Options for design techniques for using Red Prince weigela for landscape design are presented in the photo below.
As a tapeworm in the center of a flower bed.
In a composition with dwarf and coniferous shrubs in mixborders.
At the edge of the park.
As a color accent in a rock garden.
To create a hedge.
For decorative lawn design.
Weigela Red Prince not only harmoniously combines with plants, but also gets along well with them. The shrub is not affected by diseases, and therefore is not a source of infection. It is not afraid of parasitic insects that can spread to it from other representatives of the flora.
Reproduction methods
Weigela Red Prince is propagated by seeds, layering, cuttings and dividing the bush. The generative method takes longer; seedlings will bloom only in the 3rd year; gardeners rarely use it. A faster and less labor-intensive method is vegetative:
- Cuttings. The material is harvested after flowering from last year's shoots. Take the central part of the stem measuring 20 cm. The cuttings are planted in the soil and watered constantly. By autumn the material will take root, it is insulated for the winter, and planted on the site in the spring.
- Dividing the bush. Weigela Red Prince is settling in well in his new location. For division, take a bush that is at least 5 years old. Work is carried out in the spring before sap flow.
- By layering. To obtain planting material, last year's lower shoot is bent to the ground, fixed, and covered with earth. During the spring-summer period, they are watered, and the cuttings are covered for the winter. In the spring, young shoots will appear; in early June, plots are cut and planted on the site.
Rules for planting weigela Red Prince
Weigela Red Prince is an unpretentious plant, takes root well, and does not require special attention from the gardener. To obtain a healthy plant with a dense crown and the ability to bloom twice per season, you must follow a number of rules.
Recommended timing
According to gardeners, in temperate climates Red Prince weigela is planted on the site in the spring, when the soil has warmed up to +6 0C. The approximate dates are at the end of April or at the beginning of May. Autumn planting is suitable only for the southern regions; in the central zone, weigela will not have time to take root before the onset of frost, and the seedling will die over the winter.
Site selection and soil preparation
For abundant flowering, weigele Red Prince requires a sufficient amount of light. The shrub is planted in an open area; a place with periodic shading (no more than two hours a day) is suitable. The Red Prince hybrid will not produce abundant flowering if the planting site is in a draft. To exclude the influence of the north wind in an open area, the plant is placed near tall trees or ornamental shrubs that are taller and wider than the weigela. The optimal place is the southern slopes or the south-eastern side behind the wall of the building.
Suitable soils for Red Prince weigela are sandy loam or loamy, light, fertile, enriched with oxygen.Low lying areas and wetlands are not suitable. Weigela does not tolerate even slight waterlogging of the soil. The composition of the soil should be neutral or slightly alkaline. For spring planting, the site is prepared in the fall, dug up, acidity is neutralized if necessary, and organic matter and urea are added.
How to plant correctly
Before planting, Red Prince weigels prepare fertile soil, mix sand, compost, and soil from the planting site in equal parts. Add ash and a product containing phosphorus. The root of the seedling is disinfected with a manganese solution, then dipped into Kornevin to stimulate growth.
Sequence of planting weigela:
- Dig a planting hole with a diameter of 50x60 cm, the depth is equal to the length of the root system to the neck plus 20 cm for drainage and 15 cm for the layer of fertile mixture.
- Gravel or small stones are placed at the bottom of the hole, and a layer of prepared nutrient soil is placed on top.
- The seedling is placed in the center, covered with the rest of the mixture and soil.
- The tree trunk circle is compacted, watered, and mulched.
When creating a hedge, maintain a distance of 1.5 m between seedlings.
Growing rules
Weigela Red Prince is grown on the site as a decorative element, so the shrub should bloom profusely and have a well-formed crown. To achieve the desired result, you must follow the care recommendations.
Watering
Weigela Red Prince is a plant with average drought resistance; periodic watering is necessary for young seedlings throughout the growing season. Do not allow the root ball to dry out or become waterlogged. If there is no rainfall, the plant is watered three times a week with a small volume of water.Mature shrubs are moistened abundantly during budding. The next procedure is carried out in mid-June - during abundant flowering, and also in mid-August. If precipitation is normal, adult weigela is not watered.
Top dressing
Young Red Prince weigela shrubs are not fed until they are 3 years old. The plant needs enough micronutrients added during planting. Adult weigele is given complex fertilizer in early spring, potassium-containing agents are given at the beginning of flowering, and superphosphate is given after 2 weeks. In autumn, the tree trunk circle is covered with wood ash.
Loosening, mulching
An adult plant does not respond to soil compaction; weeds do not grow under the dense, low-lying crown. Loosening is necessary for young seedlings; for the growth of the root system, unhindered access to oxygen is needed. Loosening is important after each watering or precipitation; weeds are removed if necessary.
Mulching a plant is a necessary and multifunctional procedure. The covering layer retains moisture, protects the root system from overheating, and is a decorative element.
A mixture of peat and sawdust, crushed pine cones, tree bark or wood chips are used as mulching material, giving a neat, aesthetic appearance to the area. By autumn, the layer is increased with pine needles or straw, and in the spring the mulch is renewed.
Pruning, crown formation
The natural form of Red Prince weigela is compact, the branches do not protrude beyond the visual boundaries. The plant does not require crown formation. Pruning is carried out after flowering in July. Last year's shoots that had flower stalks are removed from the top 15-25 cm. In the spring, cosmetic pruning is done, dry fragments, twisted, weak shoots are removed.The bush is thinned out if necessary. Rejuvenating pruning of Red Prince weigele is done once every 2 years. All old branches are cut off near the root, work is carried out until the sap flows.
Preparing for winter
Hybrid varieties of the crop are less resistant to low temperatures; the frost resistance of Red Prince weigela is no exception. The plant can withstand -28 0 C without serious losses of the crown and root system, but in the spring the difference between the positive daytime and subzero night temperatures causes freezing of the shoots. Therefore, young seedlings and adult shrubs in temperate climates need shelter for the winter.
Preparing for winter:
- An adult plant is given moisture-recharging irrigation.
- Young bushes spud.
- Red Prince weigelas of all age groups increase the layer of mulch.
- The stems are collected into a bunch and tied with a rope.
- Bend it to the ground and fix it.
- Cover with special material that does not allow moisture to pass through.
- A fence about 35-50 cm high is made around the bush.
- Dry leaves are poured inside, covered with spruce branches on top, and in winter the structure is covered with snow.
Pests and diseases
Hybrid Red Prince has high immunity to bacterial and viral infection. The plant does not get sick; if the plant is located in a wetland, the root system may rot. Among the pests, aphids parasitize weigel. An effective remedy for controlling insects is the drug “Keltan”. The cause of aphids is ants; after treating the bush, anthills are removed from the area. To prevent mole crickets in the spring, water the weigela under the root with Aktara solution.
Conclusion
Weigela Red Prince is an ornamental flowering shrub of American selection. The crop is grown to decorate the landscape of a city, garden, garden or summer cottage. Weigela is unpretentious in care, remains decorative for a long time, does not get sick and is rarely affected by pests.
