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Weigela Nana Purpurea is an ornamental plant valued for its abundant flowering. The shrub is propagated by seeds or cuttings. A suitable location is required for its successful cultivation. During the growing season, the flower garden is provided with care.
Description of Weigela Nana Purpurea
The natural form of flowering weigela is found in the Primorsky region, northern China and Japan. It is a bush up to 3 m high with numerous bright pink flowers.
Flowering weigela, or Weigela Florida Nana Purpurea, is a low perennial shrub. An adult plant reaches 0.7 - 1.5 m. The shrub grows slowly. As a result, a compact rounded crown is formed. The width of an adult bush reaches 2 m.
The Nana Purpurea variety has oval, short-petioled leaves.Young foliage is red-brown in color and turns green as the season progresses. Due to this, the bush has a decorative appearance at any time of the year. Every year it gives an increase of 15 cm.
The Nana Purpurea variety has average frost resistance. Plants freeze slightly without shelter in the middle zone. However, the bushes quickly grow a crown, which becomes more compact. In this case, the flowering period is postponed to mid-summer.
How Weigela Nana Purpurea blooms
Judging by the photo and description, weigela Nana Purpurea produces dark pink, tubular-shaped flowers. The inner central part of them is yellow. The length of each flower is up to 5 cm and the diameter is 2 - 5 cm. They are formed into inflorescences of 3 - 5 pieces.
The buds bloom at the end of May or early June. Flowering continues until the end of next month. In early autumn, inflorescences may reappear. Weigela is a good honey plant that attracts bees and other pollinators.
Weigela purpurea in the photo:
The use of weigela Nana Purpurea in landscape design
Weigela looks good in single and group compositions. The bright shrub stands out against the background of a green lawn, as well as on the edges or under separately located trees. Its decorative properties are used to design paths and create hedges.
In group plantings, shrubs are combined with shade-tolerant perennials. This includes fern, hosta, and astilbe, which decorate the garden throughout the season. The shrub looks advantageous against the backdrop of evergreens: juniper, thuja, cypress.
When choosing plants for planting next to weigela, the timing of flowering, the color of leaves and petals, the shape and size of the bushes are taken into account.The most harmonious combinations are with barberry, spirea, Japanese quince, and viburnum.
How does weigela Nana Purple reproduce?
Weigela is propagated by seeds or cuttings. In the first case, fresh material collected last season is taken. The seeds remain viable throughout the year. They are planted in containers filled with fertile soil. Seed material germinates well without prior preparation. When the seedlings grow up, they are planted in separate containers. Plants are transferred to open ground at the age of 3 years. Flowering of the bush begins in the 4th year.
When weigela Nana Purpurea is propagated by seeds, the resulting seedlings may lose varietal characteristics. Therefore, cuttings are most often used. On the bush, young shoots that are half lignified are selected. Then the leaves are torn off and placed in water for 2 hours. Treatment with a growth stimulator helps improve the survival rate of cuttings. At the end of June, the shoots are placed in a container with peat and sand. Almost all cuttings root successfully.
In the photo there is a young weigela shrub Nana Purpurea:
Planting and caring for weigela Nana Purpurea
To successfully grow flowering weigela Nana Purpurea, follow the rules of planting and care. For planting, the best place and a certain period are chosen. Then they begin to prepare the soil and seedlings. The development of the bush provides constant care.
Recommended timing
Weigelu Nana Purpurea is planted in the spring, when the soil warms up well. Depending on the region, this is April – May. Three-year-old plants are chosen for planting. If seedlings are purchased in the fall, they are buried in the soil in an inclined position. Sawdust, peat or humus are poured on top.
Site selection and soil preparation
The Nana Purpurea variety prefers sunny areas.Planting in partial shade under large trees with a sparse crown or shrubs is allowed. With a lack of sunlight, the leaves lose their unusual color and fewer inflorescences are formed.
The shoots and flowers of the plant may break when exposed to wind. Therefore, it is planted in protected places: next to fences, trees, buildings.
Weigela Nana Purpurea is demanding on the soil. The substrate is obtained from humus, sand and turf soil. They are taken in a ratio of 2:2:1. The shrub develops best in fresh soils that allow moisture and air to pass through well. Weigela does not tolerate stagnant moisture, so coarse sand is added to heavy soil and a drainage layer is made.
How to plant correctly
The procedure for planting weigela variety Nana Purpurea:
- A hole measuring 50x50 cm is dug at the site to a depth of 60 cm.
- Drainage made of gravel and sand 15 cm thick is poured onto the bottom.
- A substrate consisting of leaf soil, sand and compost is placed in the pit.
- The seedling is removed from the container, its roots are straightened and placed in the hole. The root collar is not buried.
- Weigela roots are covered with earth.
- The plant is watered abundantly.
Growing rules
When growing the Nana Purpurea variety, special attention is paid to care. The shrub requires watering, fertilizing and crown formation. Preparatory measures will help the plant better survive the winter.
Watering
The Nana Purpurea variety shrub is watered in early spring if the weather is dry or in winter when there is little snow. An adult bush requires 8 - 10 liters of water. During the season, moisture is added as the soil dries.
Top dressing
According to reviews from Weigel, Nana Purpurea reacts positively to feeding.In spring, a mineral mixture is poured onto the snow: 25 g of urea, 10 g of viburnum salt and superphosphate. Fertilizer will help plants recover from winter cold. The next feeding is carried out in June, when the buds are formed. For 1 sq. m requires 30 g of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer.
Loosening, mulching
After watering the Nana Purpurea variety, the tree trunk circle is loosened. The soil is cleared of weeds. The optimal loosening depth is up to 8 cm. For mulching, sawdust is used in a layer of up to 10 cm: this keeps moisture in the soil longer and slows down the growth of weeds.
Pruning, crown formation
Flowering weigela Nana Purpurea is pruned every 2 to 3 years. Weigela grows slowly, so the procedure is not carried out as often as for other shrubs. Select the period when flowering ends. To rejuvenate the bush, branches older than 3 years are pruned, the rest are shortened by 1/3 of the length. Dry and frozen shoots are removed annually.
Preparing for winter
In autumn, the Nana Purpurea variety is prepared for wintering. While the soil is not frozen, the bush is watered abundantly. Then the shoots are tied and laid on the ground. Peat or humus is poured into the tree trunk circle. A frame is installed on top and Lutrosil or other non-woven material is attached. In the spring, after the snow melts, the shelter is removed.
Pests and diseases
The greatest danger to weigela is aphids. To combat the pest, prepare a solution of Iskra or Karbofos. Folk remedies help well: infusion of garlic or ground pepper.
With high humidity, the Nana Purpurea variety suffers from gray rot, rust and spotting. The diseases are caused by fungal spores that spread throughout the plant.If signs of the disease are detected, the bush is sprayed with Bordeaux mixture or a solution of copper oxychloride. The treatment is repeated after 1 - 2 weeks.
Conclusion
Weigela Nana Purpurea is an unpretentious shrub with decorative properties. It is planted in autumn or spring. A planting hole and nutrient substrate are first prepared for planting. The plant requires minimal care: watering, fertilizing, pruning, preparation for wintering.
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