Wine and Roses Weigela (Weigela florida 'Alexandra' Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners
Article by Dean Ravenscroft, Ph.D. - Updated 1st Feb 2024
- Plant Characteristics: Features striking dark purple leaves and rosy-pink flowers. This cultivar of Weigela florida is known for its dramatic foliage and vibrant blooms, creating a stunning contrast in the garden.
- Growing & Care: Prefers full sun for best foliage color and well-drained soil. Blooms profusely in late spring with sporadic reblooming. Tolerates a range of soil conditions.
- Tips for New Gardeners: Ideal for adding bold color to borders and landscapes. Easy to care for, making it suitable for beginners. Prune as needed after flowering to maintain shape and size.
Weigela florida Alexandra is a large deciduous shrub that goes by the common name of Wine and Roses® Weigela. It is a member of the Caprifoliaceae family.
These are gorgeous flowering plants originally found in North China, Korea and Japan.
Weigela florida Alexandra shrub variety, photograph by F. D. Richards; CC.
The foliage is dark brown and green colored, with hues of purple to burgundy red. The flowers are bright fuchsia purple colored, in a large funnel shape.
These shrubs are bright and eye catching. The large and colorful flowers attract hummingbirds and many varieties of bees.
Generally, these shrubs are grown in large gardens, along fences or in front of trees.
These plants grow to be very large, between 120 and 150 cm (4 to 5 feet) tall with a 120 to 180 cm (4 to 6) foot spread.
They make excellent additions to cutting gardens because of their bright colored foliage and flowers.
Weigela florida 'Alexandra" (Wine and Roses) flowers, image by F. D. Richards; CC.
How to Grow Weigela florida 'Alexandra' in your Garden
Growing Weigela florida Alexandra is fairly simple because they are an undemanding shrub.
They can readily be grown in zones 4-8, the UK Hardiness is rated as H6 (fine to -20°C / -4°F). They prefer locations that receive wet springs and warm summers.
These clump forming plants thrive in chalky, clay type, well-drained soils. They require full sun.
In the spring, Wine and Roses® Weigela will be in full bloom, and they will re-bloom throughout the summer.
Weigela florida 'Alexandra' WINE AND ROSES photograph by F. D. Richards.
The watering needs of these plants are relatively low. Once the plant has established, it seldom needs watering.
In extreme heat or times of drought, supplemental watering may be needed but for most regions, natural rainfall will be sufficient.
This makes the plant very summer hardy as it can withstand hot or dry summers.
Weigela plants grow best when they have plenty of space and sunlight to thrive.
Weigela florida Alexandra plant photograph by F. D. Richards; CC.
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Weigela florida Alexandra Growing and Care Guide
- Scientific Name: Weigela florida Alexandra.
- Common Name: Weigela florida 'Alexandra', Wine and Roses Weigela.
- Growing Zone: USA: 4 to 8; UK H6.
- Life Cycle / Plant Type: Shrub.
Plant Details
- Plant Height (Inches): 48 to 60.
- Plant Spread (Inches): 48 to 60.
- Time of Bloom: Late spring through early summer.
- Flower Details: Pink.
- Leaf Foliage: Purple.
- Fruit:
- Growth Form: Spreading or horizontal, Upright / erect.
Ideal Growing Conditions
- Best Light Conditions: Full sunlight.
- Rate of Growth: Medium paced.
- Suitable Soil Types: Adaptable, Clay, Loamy, Sandy, Well drained.
- Soil Moisture: Moist.
Caring Conditions
- Care:
- Level of Maintenance: Low.
- Propagation:
- How to Prune:
- Pests:
- Diseases:
Further Information
- Can Attract: Hummingbirds.
- Tolerant of: Clay Soil.
- Best Garden Use: Border, Foundation Plant, Areas requiring pest tolerance, En masse, Specimen.
- Family: Caprifoliaceae.
- Closely Related Species: Honeysuckle.
I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Weigela florida 'Alexandra'. You may also enjoy the following guides on growing the Variegata version of this species.
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