How to Grow Weigela Alexandra

Weigela Alexandra

Weigela florida 'Alexandra'

shrub

Weigela Alexandra is a compact ornamental shrub prized for its deep purple-burgundy foliage and pink tubular flowers that bloom in late spring. This deciduous shrub offers year-round visual interest with dramatic dark leaves and makes an excellent specimen plant or foundation planting. It reaches 4-5 feet tall and wide, making it suitable for smaller landscapes.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun to partial shade; 6+ hours of direct sunlight daily for best foliage color and flowering

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Water: Moderate watering; keep soil evenly moist during establishment and growing season. Water deeply but infrequently. Drought-tolerant once established but performs better with regular moisture. Reduce watering in winter.

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Spacing: 48 inches

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Days to maturity: Reaches mature size in 3-4 years

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Planting depth: Plant at same depth as root ball; do not bury stem

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil

pH: 6.0-7.5

Amendments:

Compost Peat moss Mulch to retain moisture while maintaining drainage

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 4-8, with best performance in zones 5-7

4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b

Growth Stages

Establishment

First 12 months

Newly planted shrub focuses on root development. Growth is slower in first season.

Water regularly to keep soil moist. Apply 2-3 inches of mulch around base, keeping it away from stem. Avoid heavy pruning in first year.

Vegetative Growth

Spring through early summer (months 2-5)

Shrub develops multiple stems and burgundy foliage fills in. Compact, mounded form emerges.

Fertilize in early spring with balanced shrub fertilizer. Prune after flowering to maintain shape. Remove any weak or crossing branches.

Flowering

Late May through June (4-6 weeks)

Abundant pink tubular flowers appear along stems against deep purple foliage. Flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

Do not fertilize during blooming to avoid reducing flower production. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming. Provide consistent moisture.

Post-Bloom & Growth

July through August

Flowers fade; shrub returns to foliage display. Some varieties rebloom if deadheaded. Foliage deepens in color.

Prune immediately after flowering to shape for next season. Light pruning encourages bushier growth. Reduce fertilizer frequency.

Dormancy

September through March

Shrub enters dormancy; leaves drop in fall. Bare stems visible through winter. Burgundy foliage may develop reddish tones before dropping.

No pruning during dormancy. Reduce watering significantly. Protect from harsh winter winds in zone 4. Mulch base for insulation.

Companion Planting

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Plant with:

Forsythia Mock orange Spirea Hydrangea Daylilies Black-eyed Susan Russian sage Sedum

Avoid planting near:

Plants requiring constant moisture Shallow-rooted competitors

Common Pests

Hand-pick in early morning, apply neem oil or insecticidal soap, or use pheromone traps away from plant
Spray with water to dislodge, apply insecticidal soap, or use neem oil in early season
Increase humidity, spray with water, apply miticide or neem oil if severe
Improve air circulation, remove affected leaves, apply fungicide if persistent, avoid wetting foliage

Uses

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Landscape Specimen & Foundation Plant

Ornamental

Weigela Alexandra serves as an excellent focal point in gardens due to its striking purple-burgundy foliage and pink flowers. Its compact size makes it ideal for foundation plantings, mixed borders, and small yards. [source]

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Pollinator Attraction

Wildlife

The tubular pink flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators to gardens. It provides nectar in late spring when other food sources are limited. [source]

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Cut Flowers & Arrangements

Craft

Flowering stems can be cut during bloom time for fresh floral arrangements and spring bouquets. The colored foliage also provides visual interest in mixed arrangements. [source]

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Four-Season Interest

Ornamental

Provides year-round garden value: pink flowers in spring, lush purple foliage in summer, potential reddish tones in fall, and attractive stem structure in winter. [source]

Harvest Tips

Not typically harvested. Enjoy foliage and flowers in place. Cut flowering stems for fresh arrangements if desired. Best foliage color display occurs in full sun locations.

Fun Facts

🌱 Weigela Alexandra was named after Queen Alexandra of Denmark and is also sometimes called 'Alexandra' cultivar, representing a deliberate breeding choice to honor royalty.
🌱 Unlike the species Weigela florida which has green foliage, the 'Alexandra' cultivar was selected specifically for its deep burgundy to purple leaf color, which intensifies in full sun.
🌱 The tubular flowers are perfectly adapted for hummingbird pollination and can bloom again if heavily deadheaded, though the first flush in late spring is typically the most prolific.

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