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Growth Facts
- Hardiness Zone: 4-8
- Spacing: As Desired
- Exposure: Full Sun
- Deer Resistant: Yes
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This Tree is not available for Sale at this time through Bower & Branch. Bower & Branch provides this information for reference only. Please check back with us or contact us for more detail.
Our Tree Form Red Prince Weigela is a fun new take on a shrub your grandmother grew. We’ve raised this classic shrub onto a trunk, or “standard,” so you can see it eye-to-eye. Be careful, though—the way the hummingbirds dive-bomb this plant, you could lose an eye if you get too close! Even from a safe distance, you’ll delight in Red Prince’s display of intense, ruby-red spring blossoms, and as a bonus, you’ll often be treated to a curtain call of red flowers in late summer. Plant this gem within the mixed borders along your foundation, near your pool, along your property line, or anywhere you need a pop—or two! —of color.
Growth Facts
- Hardiness Zone: 4-8
- Spacing: As Desired
- Exposure: Full Sun
- Deer Resistant: Yes
- Show more ›
The Story
Weigela, a plant of China and Korea, was brought to Western gardens by Scottish plant explorer Robert Fortune in 1845. Fortune often masqueraded as a Chinese man to access verboten plants—like tea, which he smuggled into India to satisfy England’s legendary fascination with the stuff. Weigela was named after a German professor of botany and pharmacology, Christian Weigel. ‘Red Prince’ was bred in 1984 by Iowa State professor Jack Weigle. We can only imagine that Weigle felt a special calling to this plant because of his last name!
The Details
Weigela is typically grown as a shrub, but why let that stop us? This particular variety is grown as a small tree form so why not bring some uniqueness to your landscape? The red trumpet-like flowers cover the canopy of this cute little tree in late spring. The bright flowers attract butterflies, bees and hummingbirds. Feel free to plant this around the patio, along driveways, sidewalks or even near the mailbox!
How to Grow
Weigela is not a true Tree but the Bower & Branch growers have taken this Flowering Shrub and trained it to become more of a specialty Tree. Weigela is fast growing that requires at least two prunes each year to maintain the desired shape.
Red Prince flowers in May most years. Bower & Branch likes to prune each summer when the new growth is well underway and we simply lightly shear the entire plant to shape. Each Fall before we put this to bed for the winter is when we will do a more detailed pruning as should you. To maintain a fresh looking plant remove and thin some older branches and cut the remaining branches back by up to 50%. Do not be afraid to prune this plant, it will reward you with great foliage and great blooms.
Weigela will benefit from more regular watering during the growing season. Generally fast growing plants will require higher water amounts through the season so do not be shy with water on Red Prince.
No serious pests to be concerned with but in some seasons leaf eating insects or simple aphids will enjoy the new growth as well as you. For the most part no action is required throughout the year for the success of this specialty shaped plant.
Red Prince Weigela will want to be fertilized each Spring and Fall with the Bower & Branch Ongoing Care Element Fertilizer. Simply follow the instructions on the label, there are never worries about using our Ongoing Care Fertilizer Elements and Red Prince will reward you for years to come.
More Info
Size Guide
Scale
Size A
This graphic shows the approximate size and form of the Tree you are viewing.
Size A Trees:
3-4' tall. Grafted onto a single trunk, a tree form shrub becomes much more appealing. Canopy 30" wide. Grown in our #7 or #8 tree container in this size.
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