Weigela (Weigela florida 'Brigela' FRENCH LACE)
Discover Weigela florida 'Brigela' FRENCH LACE, a low-maintenance deciduous shrub featuring bright red blooms from spring to early summer.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Weigela florida ‘Brigela’ FRENCH LACE is a refined and highly valuable deciduous shrub perfect for adding reliable seasonal color to the garden. This specific Weigela cultivar is celebrated for its dense, rounded habit and prolific flowering, making it an excellent backdrop or specimen plant. It provides reliable early-season interest, with funnel-shaped, bright red flowers appearing profusely from late spring into early summer.
Originating as a mutation from ‘Bristol Ruby’, the Weigela florida ‘Brigela’ FRENCH LACE maintains a manageable size, typically reaching 4 to 8 feet tall and wide, suitable for many residential landscapes. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, this Weigela is known for its very low maintenance requirements, thriving in average soils and attracting hummingbirds to the garden space.
Gardeners appreciate the longevity of its attractive foliage complementing the vibrant blooms, ensuring continuous visual interest throughout the growing season. Choosing Weigela florida ‘Brigela’ FRENCH LACE brings dependable form and striking color to borders and screens.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Caprifoliaceae
- Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 4-8 ft
- Spread: 4-8 ft
- Bloom Time: April to June
- Bloom Description: Red
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
For optimal results, plant your Weigela florida ‘Brigela’ FRENCH LACE in the spring or fall when conditions are cool. This shrub needs full sun for the best flowering display and foliage color, though it can tolerate some light or dappled shade. It adapts well to average, medium moisture, well-drained soils, significantly benefiting from its natural tolerance of clay soils. Ensure the planting site allows for its mature spread of 4 to 8 feet.
Ongoing care for this Weigela variety is minimal. Provide medium water, especially during dry spells, to maintain consistent soil moisture. Fertilizing is usually unnecessary unless the soil is extremely poor; avoid over-fertilizing which can promote excessive leaf growth at the expense of flowers.
Pruning should be done judiciously. Prune Weigela florida ‘Brigela’ FRENCH LACE immediately after the main flush of flowering concludes if shaping is needed. Heavy pruning in late summer or fall will remove potential flower buds for the next season. New plants establish easily and the genus can be propagated via stem cuttings.
Landscape Uses
The dense, rounded structure of Weigela florida ‘Brigela’ FRENCH LACE makes it an outstanding choice for formal and informal hedging that requires little fuss. Planted along property margins, it creates a solid, mid-height screen that offers privacy and robust spring color. Its manageable height (4 to 8 feet) also suits foundation plantings where taller shrubs might overwhelm the structure.
As a specimen, the bright red blooms of this Weigela stand out against lighter green or variegated perennials. Consider pairing Weigela florida ‘Brigela’ FRENCH LACE with later-blooming shrubs or late-summer perennials to maintain garden interest once its spring show is over. It serves excellently in mixed borders along pathways or near seating areas to appreciate the close-up view of the flowers.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Weigela florida is native to northern China, Korea and Japan, presenting as a dense, rounded deciduous shrub usually reaching 6-10’ tall and potentially spreading to 12’ wide over time. The specific cultivar ‘Brigela’, known in the trade as FRENCH LACE, stands out due to its trumpet-shaped, bright red flowers that subtly deepen in color toward the throat. Its leaves are distinctly variegated, featuring yellow-green centers with lighter yellow-green margins and a reddish edge, contributing excellent seasonal texture. Flowers on this Weigela variety are noted for attracting hummingbirds.
Tolerances
- Clay Soil
Potential Problems
This Weigela cultivar generally avoids serious insect or disease issues, contributing to its low-maintenance profile for gardeners. Be aware that deer may occasionally browse the foliage or flowers if they are particularly hungry. Proper planting in full sun helps mitigate minor issues like powdery mildew, which can sometimes develop in overly shady or stagnant conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Weigela florida ‘Brigela’ FRENCH LACE suitable for?
Weigela florida ‘Brigela’ FRENCH LACE thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 8, offering excellent cold tolerance in the northern limits of its range.
How large does Weigela grow?
At maturity, Weigela florida ‘Brigela’ FRENCH LACE typically reaches a height between 4 and 8 feet, with a comparable spread ranging from 4 to 8 feet wide.
What sun exposure does Weigela need?
This Weigela requires full sun for the most vibrant flowering display, though it exhibits tolerance for light, dappled shade environments.
When does Weigela bloom?
The primary bloom time for Weigela florida ‘Brigela’ FRENCH LACE is from April to June, producing an abundance of distinctive red flowers.
Conclusion
The Weigela florida ‘Brigela’ FRENCH LACE is an exceptional shrub offering low maintenance paired with high impact due to its striking red spring blooms and attractive foliage. For reliable structure and vibrant color, this Weigela variation, often sold as FRENCH LACE, is a superb choice for most temperate gardens. Always confirm your local hardiness zone suitability before planning your planting schedule this coming season.
Companion Planting
To enhance the structure and seasonality of beds featuring Weigela florida ‘Brigela’ FRENCH LACE, consider companion planting with species that offer contrasting foliage textures or follow-up blooms. Spring ephemerals or bulb flowers like Hostas or early-blooming Hydrangeas work well beneath the canopy, as they appreciate the dappled shade the Weigela develops later in the summer. Alternatively, pairing it with evergreens that provide winter structure, such as dwarf junipers or boxwood, balances the deciduous nature of the Weigela.
Wildlife Benefits
The brightly colored, trumpet-shaped blossoms of Weigela are highly appealing to avian visitors, specifically hummingbirds, which rely on these nectar-rich flowers during their migration and feeding periods. While this specific cultivar might not offer significant berry production, the dense branching structure of the Weigela provides excellent cover and nesting opportunities for smaller songbirds throughout the active season. Planting this shrub contributes positively to local biodiversity efforts.
