The ‘Little Prince’ Weigela (Weigela florida ‘Little Prince’) is a compact deciduous shrub. Valued for its abundant flowering and manageable size, it fits well into various landscape settings. Its straightforward care makes it a popular choice for gardeners.
Understanding the Little Prince Weigela
The ‘Little Prince’ Weigela is a compact shrub, smaller than many traditional Weigela varieties, making it suitable for limited spaces. Its main attraction is vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers that appear profusely from late spring through early summer, often reblooming into late summer or fall. These pink or red blossoms create a striking contrast against the shrub’s green foliage.
The plant exhibits a dense, mounding, or upright growth habit, providing consistent form. Its green foliage lasts throughout the growing season, though some cultivars have burgundy or variegated leaves. The compact size and colorful blooms make ‘Little Prince’ Weigela excellent for borders, mass plantings, or container gardening.
Planting and Establishing Your Little Prince
For optimal blooms, plant ‘Little Prince’ Weigela in full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. This encourages vibrant flowering and foliage color. While it tolerates partial shade, too little light results in fewer flowers.
The plant prefers moist, well-drained soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper. Gently loosen circling roots, then place the plant so the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil. Backfill with soil, firming gently to remove air pockets, and water deeply immediately after planting to establish roots.
Ongoing Care for Thriving Growth
Water newly planted ‘Little Prince’ Weigelas consistently until established, especially during dry periods. Once established, these shrubs are drought-tolerant and require less frequent watering, often relying on natural rainfall. During extended hot, dry spells, supplemental deep watering maintains plant vigor.
Established Weigelas are not heavy feeders, so fertilization is light. An annual application of a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer in early spring, as new growth begins, supports healthy development and abundant blooms. Alternatively, a spring top-dressing of compost provides sufficient nutrients and improves soil structure. A layer of organic mulch around the plant conserves soil moisture, regulates soil temperature, and suppresses weed growth.
Pruning for Shape and Blooms
Pruning ‘Little Prince’ Weigela maintains its compact form and encourages prolific flowering. Since Weigela blooms on old wood (the previous year’s growth), prune for shaping and rebloom immediately after the first spring flowers fade. This allows the plant to develop new wood for the following season’s blooms.
Remove dead, damaged, or diseased branches any time of year. For mature shrubs, perform rejuvenation pruning in late winter or early spring by removing up to one-third of the oldest, thickest stems at the base over a few years. This stimulates new, vigorous growth and promotes better flowering. ‘Little Prince’ requires minimal pruning for size, primarily benefiting from shaping and removal of spent wood.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
‘Little Prince’ Weigelas are resilient, but problems can arise. Lack of blooms links to insufficient sunlight, as the plant needs at least six hours of direct sun for optimal flowering. Incorrect pruning, especially too late in the season or removing new growth before bud set, also reduces flowering. Over-fertilization with nitrogen promotes leafy growth at the expense of flowers.
Pests like aphids, spider mites, or scale insects can affect Weigela. Dislodge them with a strong water spray or treat severe infestations with horticultural oil. Fungal diseases like powdery mildew or leaf spot appear, particularly in humid conditions. Ensure good air circulation and avoid overhead watering to prevent these issues.
Yellowing leaves or stunted growth indicate watering issues (too much or too little) or a nutrient deficiency. Correct these by adjusting watering practices and ensuring balanced fertilization.