The ‘Spilled Wine’ Weigela (Weigela florida ‘Bokraspiwi’) is a popular ornamental shrub recognized for its distinctive dark foliage and vibrant pink flowers. This cultivar offers a compact, mounded form, making it a versatile choice for various landscape designs, including borders, mass plantings, or container gardens. Its deep burgundy-purple leaves provide striking contrast, while its trumpet-shaped, hot pink to magenta blooms appear profusely from late spring through early summer, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies.
Winter Appearance and Dormancy
As a deciduous shrub, the ‘Spilled Wine’ Weigela loses its leaves in fall, remaining bare through winter. This dormancy is a natural survival mechanism, conserving energy and protecting the plant from freezing temperatures. During this period, the shrub’s growth pauses and metabolic activities slow.
In its dormant state, the ‘Spilled Wine’ Weigela reveals a tidy structure of reddish-brown branches, which can still contribute architectural interest to the winter landscape. The bare branches offer a different aesthetic, especially when paired with evergreen plants. This Weigela cultivar is hardy, thriving in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 4 through 8.
Winter Care
Watering needs are significantly reduced during winter dormancy. While established plants in the ground typically do not require supplemental watering due to natural precipitation, newly planted shrubs or those in containers may need occasional watering during prolonged dry spells. Check soil moisture, watering only when the top few inches feel dry to prevent waterlogging.
Applying a layer of organic mulch, approximately 2-3 inches deep, around the base of the plant in late fall is beneficial. This mulch insulates roots, retains soil moisture, and regulates soil temperature. Ensure the mulch is kept a few inches away from the plant’s stems to allow for proper air circulation and prevent potential rot.
Mature ‘Spilled Wine’ Weigelas are generally cold-hardy within their specified zones and do not require extensive winter protection. However, in regions experiencing unusually harsh winters or for very young plants, wrapping the shrub with burlap can offer protection from extreme cold and drying winds. Potted Weigelas might also benefit from being moved to a more sheltered location or insulated, as their roots are more exposed to freezing temperatures.
Avoid significant pruning during winter, as it can stimulate tender new growth vulnerable to frost damage. Major pruning for shape and size is best done in late winter or early spring after hard freezes, or immediately after flowering. However, any dead, damaged, or crossing branches can be removed during winter to maintain plant health.