Spilled Wine Weigela is a popular deciduous shrub, admired for its distinctive dark foliage and vibrant blooms. Choosing the right companion plants can enhance its beauty and create a harmonious garden design.
Understanding Spilled Wine Weigela
Spilled Wine Weigela (‘Weigela florida ‘Bokraspiwi’) is a compact, mounding deciduous shrub, typically reaching a height of 2 to 3 feet and spreading 2 to 4 feet wide. Its most striking feature is its deep burgundy to purple leaves, which maintain their color from spring through fall, often darkening to an almost black hue in strong sunlight.
Bright pink, trumpet-shaped flowers emerge profusely in late spring, continuing intermittently through summer and into fall. These blooms create a vibrant contrast against the dark leaves and attract pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds. For optimal foliage color and abundant flowering, Spilled Wine Weigela requires full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. It thrives in well-draining soil and, once established, has moderate water needs, showing good drought tolerance.
Principles of Companion Planting
Successful companion planting for Spilled Wine Weigela involves matching environmental needs. Selecting plants that prefer full sun and well-draining soil ensures all plants thrive together.
Color harmony and contrast are key to visual appeal. Plants with lime green, silver, or gold foliage offer striking contrast against the weigela’s deep burgundy. Complementary flower colors like white, pink, yellow, or blue enhance the display. Incorporating plants with varied leaf textures, such as fine, coarse, glossy, or matte, adds depth and complexity.
Consider the height and form of companion plants to create layered visual structure. Taller plants can form a backdrop, with the weigela in the mid-ground, and shorter plants or groundcovers in the foreground. Selecting plants with different bloom times ensures continuous seasonal interest.
Top Companion Plant Recommendations
Choose plants that offer strong foliage contrast with Spilled Wine Weigela. Plants with lime green or chartreuse leaves, such as ‘Gold Mound’ Spirea or certain sun-tolerant Heuchera varieties, provide a bright pop against the weigela’s dark purple. Sedum ‘Angelina’ also offers a vibrant yellow-green that stands out. For a softer, cooler contrast, consider silver or gray foliage plants like Lamb’s Ear or Artemisia, which introduce a muted tone. Golden or yellow-leaved varieties of Sedum or Coreopsis ‘Moonbeam’ can also brighten the composition.
When considering flower color, select blooms that either harmonize with or contrast against the weigela’s bright pink flowers. Shasta Daisies or white Phlox offer a crisp, clean contrast that highlights the weigela’s magenta blooms. Yellow-flowering plants like Daylilies or Coreopsis provide a sunny complement, while pink or purple options such as Coneflower (Echinacea) and Salvia can create a cohesive color scheme. For a cool-toned contrast, Catmint (Nepeta) or Russian Sage (Perovskia) introduce calming blue and lavender shades.
Ornamental grasses provide texture and movement, creating a naturalistic feel. Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) offers fine texture and interesting fall color, while Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides) adds graceful arching forms. For additional structure or evergreen presence, compact shrubs like dwarf conifers or Boxwood can be integrated, contributing year-round interest and diverse forms.
Designing with Spilled Wine Weigela
Arranging companion plants with Spilled Wine Weigela involves thoughtful placement. Creating layers within the garden bed adds depth and interest. Position taller plants at the back, Spilled Wine Weigela in the middle ground, and shorter plants or groundcovers in the foreground. This tiered approach ensures each plant is visible and contributes to the overall scene.
Consider planting in groups or masses for a more impactful display. Massing creates a stronger visual statement than single specimens and helps define areas within the garden. Repeating certain plants, colors, or textures throughout the bed can establish rhythm and flow, guiding the eye through the design.
Aim for year-round interest by selecting plants with varying peak seasons. Include spring, summer, and fall blooming plants, along with evergreens. Ensure the scale of companion plants is proportionate to the weigela and the garden space. Proper scale maintains balance and prevents any single plant from overwhelming the design.