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Planting and caring for weigela in the Moscow region is of interest to many gardeners. Due to its decorativeness and unpretentiousness, as well as the variety of varieties, the shrub is very popular. Belongs to the Honeysuckle family. Weigela received its name after the German professor Christian Ehrenfried von Weigel, a chemist and botanist. There are more than 15 species of beautiful shrubs, some of which can be easily grown in the Moscow region.
Features of growing weigela in different regions
Weigela grows best under the climatic conditions of Central Asia. All 15 species are found there. The shrub blooms twice a season, so it is included in continuous flowering compositions.Another feature is the difference in the color of the buds when the stage of opening changes. At first they are light, and as they open they become much brighter.
Varietal species are quite resistant to low temperatures thanks to the work of the breeder. Therefore, you can choose weigela varieties suitable for the climate of the Moscow region. Of the 15 species, only 7 are cultivated. They differ in height, temperature and soil requirements.
How to choose the right variety
When choosing a plant for the Moscow region, the main attention should be paid to its winter hardiness. It is not advisable to cultivate heat-loving varieties of weigela in the Moscow region. Therefore, the variety must be maximally adapted to the climatic conditions of the region in which weigela is planned to be grown. When purchasing, be sure to pay attention to these parameters. For problem regions, it is important to plant frost-resistant species.
The best varieties of weigela for the Moscow region
According to reviews from gardeners in the Moscow region, weigela varieties grow best, which are unpretentious to soil conditions and tolerate winter cold well. Suitable weigela varieties for the Moscow region, their photos and names, are presented below:
- Middendorf. A low-growing variety, adult weigela reaches 1.5 m. It differs in the duration of flowering. The period lasts a month. Loves moist, peaty soil. The flowers are cream or yellow, the leaves retain their color until mid-autumn. Requires shelter, otherwise the bush may suffer from frost.
- Early weigela. Recognized by gardeners in the Moscow region as the most beautiful species. The height of the varieties is slightly higher, from 1.5 m to 2.5 m. The bush is spreading, covered with buds at the end of May. It blooms very luxuriantly for 2 weeks.The bush is initially covered with purple buds, then their color changes to bright pink or purple. The foliage is bright green, but turns brownish in autumn. It is an unpretentious species, therefore it is widespread in the vast expanses of the Moscow region. Prefers open areas and tolerates soil diversity well. Weigela early does not require special skills when planting and caring.
- Garden weigela. The shrub is small in size - up to 1 m. A special feature of the species is the unusual color of the flower - pink-carmine. The bush is completely covered with such beautiful flowers and takes the form of a blooming cap.
If you plant a suitable variety for the Moscow region, the shrub will retain its shape and flowering for many years.
For the Leningrad region
Gardeners in this region should pay attention to hybrid varieties, for example, Candida shrub with white flowers, Gustave Mallet with carmine red, Sieboldii Argenteo-marginata with soft pink and Eva Rathke with light carmine, Lucifer with bright red.
Weigela varieties for the middle zone
In the middle zone, gardeners give preference to hybrid species. Weigela Middendorf and garden weigela also grow successfully in the region. They tolerate lower temperatures less well, but with proper shelter they winter well. In summer they delight their owners with abundant flowering.
Growing weigela in the Moscow region, Leningrad region and the middle zone
Weigela's adaptability to growing conditions is quite high. Therefore, the plant is successfully cultivated almost throughout the entire territory of Russia. But for gardeners in the middle zone, the Leningrad region and the Moscow region, it is necessary to take into account some nuances. Without observing them, it will not be possible to grow spectacular weigela in a harsh climate.
Recommended timing
Planting in cool climate areas is recommended in the spring. This will save the seedlings from unpredictable weather and give them the opportunity to strengthen before the onset of frost.
The optimal time for the middle zone is mid or late March. Gardeners in the Moscow region and Leningrad region should move the deadlines to April. If you managed to purchase weigela seedlings in the fall, then they should be buried and covered.
Site selection and soil preparation
The place in the Moscow region for weigela is chosen carefully, taking into account all the subtleties. The plant loves light. The more abundantly it is illuminated, the better the result. The second nuance is the absence of northern winds. When blown, flowers and leaves are quickly damaged. The shrub loses its decorative effect and may become sick. Therefore, planting and caring for weigela in the Leningrad region requires gardeners to have a certain amount of knowledge. In this region, the plant is exposed to cold winds. It is good to find a place near the wall of the building on the south side.
The most suitable soil for weigela is loose and fertile. It is important to not let it get compacted or too wet. A soil mixture is prepared from turf soil, sand and humus (1:2:2). In terms of acidity, varieties prefer neutral soil.
Landing algorithm
According to reviews, planting weigela and caring for it in the Moscow region are almost no different from the regions of the middle zone. The process consists of several stages:
- Soil preparation. A particularly important stage for areas of the Moscow region where the soil does not meet the requirements of the plant. It is necessary to carry out liming on acidic soils.
- Preparing the seat. The hole is needed in the form of a cube with sides of 50 cm.A drainage layer of gravel or broken brick 15 cm thick is laid at the bottom.
- Selection of seedlings. The main attention is paid to the condition of the bark, branches and root system. It is best to purchase seedlings at the age of 3 years with a good lump of soil. The photo shows a weigela seedling before planting and subsequent care in the Moscow region.
- Preparation of nutrient mixture. The soil is mixed with superphosphate (60 g) and potassium salt (40 g).
- Treatment of roots with a growth stimulator. The procedure is performed according to the instructions for the drug.
- Planting a weigela seedling. The plant is placed on a mound, the roots are straightened, covered with soil and compacted a little.
- Water the plant well and mulch the tree trunk circle. For mulch, gardeners in the Moscow region use sawdust or crushed bark. The radius of the mulch layer is at least 50 cm, thickness 10 cm.
When planting in groups in the Moscow region, the distance between low-growing varieties is maintained at about 1 m; for tall varieties, 2 m will be needed.
Rules of care
When caring for weigela, gardeners need to carry out traditional measures for plants - watering, fertilizing, pruning. For regions with a cool climate, preparation for winter is of particular importance so that the plant does not die. But before winter sets in, the plant needs:
- Watering. Weigela is simply a godsend for gardeners in the Moscow region in this matter. The shrub does not need regular watering. The main time spent on watering is spent in the first 2 years of cultivation. You will have to monitor the soil moisture and water the seedlings as the soil dries out. Then mandatory watering is needed in the spring after a winter with little snow to ensure abundant flowering. The rest of the year - depending on weather conditions.
- Feeding. The plant only needs additional nutrition 2-3 times per season.Weigela responds well to both organic and mineral compositions. For the first time, gardeners in the Moscow region feed the bushes in early spring after the snow has melted and the cover has been removed. To do this, use a complex of urea (20 g), potassium salt (10 g), superphosphate (10 g). You can replace the mixture with nitrophoska, organics or Kemira-lux. At the time of bud formation (beginning of June), it is necessary to add double superphosphate (30 g) + potassium sulfate (30 g). Additionally, you can add 200 g of wood ash or Kemiru-lux during autumn digging under the weigela bush. For a good wintering, potassium components are added.
- In addition to proper planting and care of weigela in the Moscow region, it is necessary to properly prune the bush. This important event begins in early spring. At this time, remove frozen, damaged or dry branches. Mature bushes still need formation after flowering. Diseased or poorly developed shoots or those growing inward are removed, old branches are pruned to well-developed buds. Crown formation is required once every 2-3 years. To do this, all shoots are shortened by 1/3 of the length.
Important! Autumn pruning of weigela in areas of the Moscow region is not recommended. - Transfer. Required only for heavily overgrown bushes or to change location. Transplantation is performed only in spring.
To prevent weigela disease, you need to spray the bushes for preventive purposes.
Weigela Alexandra should be distinguished from the flowering species as a very popular variety in cool regions. This is an unusually beautiful variety with crimson flowers and purple leaves. It should be noted that in the Moscow region, planting and caring for Alexandra weigela is no different from other varieties. It is important to remember that the bush requires shelter for the winter.
How to cover for the winter
Proper shelter will enable the shrub to more easily endure the winter months. Before this, it is necessary to comply with the requirements of agricultural technology so that the plant meets the cold with good immunity. Knowledge of how weigela overwinters in the middle zone will help you to properly place the shelter. Frost-resistant varieties sometimes do not even require shelter, while heat-loving varieties do not tolerate low temperatures very well and can freeze.
Weigela shelter for the winter in the Moscow region
The climate in the region is characterized by sudden changes in weather and the predominance of westerly winds. They begin covering activities in early November. Preparing weigela for winter in the Moscow region begins with removing fallen leaves to prevent pests from overwintering. Then the gardeners of the Moscow region:
- Treat the trunk part with a fungicide.
- They proceed to loosening the soil around the trunk and hilling it. The mound should be about 20 cm.
- The branches are bent to the ground, having previously tied them and placed spruce branches under them. This is necessary so that the bark does not come into contact with the ground.
- On top there is also a layer of spruce branches and plastic film that needs to be fixed.
It is important to fill all the voids so that moisture does not get into them, then wintering weigela in the Moscow region will pass without problems.
You can use different methods of covering weigela for the winter in the Moscow region, for example, as in the video:
Weigela shelter for the winter in the middle zone
In these areas, the method of shelter depends on climatic conditions. If the region has warm, snowy winters, then loosening and hilling the trunk will be sufficient. Additionally, weigela can be covered with foliage. If the climate is cooler and the winters are snowless, then you need to cover the bush more carefully.
How to cover weigela in the Leningrad region
Preparatory activities do not differ from other regions - leaf removal, loosening, fungicide treatment. But the Leningrad region is considered much colder. Therefore, you need to start in October, and simple shelter is not enough here.
- The bush is first spudded.
- Then a frame is installed over it, which is covered with spunbond or lutrasil.
- Additionally covered with film to protect against moisture.
- All resulting voids are filled with spruce branches.
Sheltering work in the Leningrad region must be done efficiently so that the weigela survives the harsh winter well. If the bush is frozen, then in the spring it needs abundant watering.
Pests and diseases
Deciduous plants are always visited by caterpillars, and in hot months - by mites and thrips. Depending on the number of parasites, you can use folk remedies (infusion of pepper or garlic) or chemicals (“Keltan”).
If agricultural practices are violated and there is a lack of attention, the bush can develop gray rot, rust, and spotting. Treatment is carried out with Bordeaux mixture and other copper-containing compounds. The best method in areas of the Moscow region is considered to be preventive spring treatment with the drug “Topsin-M”.
Conclusion
Planting and caring for weigela in the Moscow region requires a minimum of effort from the gardener. But competent implementation of measures will allow you to decorate the site for many years. Weigela perfectly decorates the lawn, goes well with conifers, and harmonizes with bulbous and primrose flowers. The variety of varieties makes it possible to choose the one suitable for the climate.
