Weigela (Weigela 'Olympiade' BRIANT RUBIDOR)

Overview

The Weigela ‘Olympiade’ BRIANT RUBIDOR is a standout deciduous shrub prized for its exceptionally long bloom period and vibrant coloration, making it a reliable performer in temperate gardens. This cultivar provides masses of deep red, funnel-shaped flowers starting in June and often continuing intermittently through September. Gardeners appreciate this Weigela for its low maintenance needs combined with high visual impact.

This densely rounded shrub typically reaches heights between 5 to 8 feet with a slightly wider spread, offering great structural presence. Beyond its impressive flowers, Weigela ‘Olympiade’ BRIANT RUBIDOR features attractive elliptic chartreuse foliage that complements the red blooms beautifully throughout the season. Its resilience, even tolerating clay soils, ensures success for a broad range of gardeners seeking dependable summer color.

Valued both for specimen planting and functional use, this Weigela cultivar brings reliable color to shrub borders and hedges. Expect frequent bloom coverage along the branches of the previous year’s growth during peak season. The Weigela genus, including this noteworthy variety, offers dependable beauty with minimal input required once established.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Caprifoliaceae
• Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-8
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 5-8 ft
  • Spread: 7-9 ft
• Bloom Time: June to September
• Bloom Description: Red
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Water Needs: Medium
• Maintenance Level: Low

How to Grow

For optimal performance, plant Weigela ‘Olympiade’ BRIANT RUBIDOR during the spring or fall when soils are cool. Ensure it receives full sun, as this is crucial for achieving the best flowering density and most colorful foliage; while it tolerates very light shade, performance diminishes significantly without ample direct light. It thrives in average, well-drained soils with medium moisture levels.

Watering should remain consistent, especially during the establishment years, aiming for medium moisture. Fertilization is rarely required for healthy shrubs in average soil; excessive rich feeding can sometimes reduce flowering. The primary cultural intervention for this Weigela involves pruning.

Prune to shape Weigela ‘Olympiade’ BRIANT RUBIDOR immediately after the main June/July flush of flowers concludes. Delaying pruning until late summer or fall will remove wood that might produce the secondary repeat blooms. Since this shrub is easily grown and rarely faces serious pest issues, ongoing care focuses mainly on shaping and deadheading spent flowers if desired during the repeat blooming period.

Landscape Uses

Weigela ‘Olympiade’ BRIANT RUBIDOR excels as a colorful focal point or massed planting within shrub borders, providing structure and sustained summer interest. Its eventual size, reaching up to 8 feet tall and 9 feet wide, makes it highly effective when utilized as a dense, flowering hedge that still offers seasonal contrast. The unique chartreuse foliage brightens shady borders, contrasting nicely with darker green evergreens.

This robust shrub also performs well as a specimen plant in open lawns or integrated into mixed foundation plantings where space allows for its spreading habit. If group planting, allow adequate space for air circulation to ensure the shrub matures into its full, rounded form. Consider pairing its red blooms with white or blue-flowering perennials that share similar sun and water requirements for a harmonious cottage garden look.

Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Showy

Noteworthy Characteristics

Weigela is a genus of about 12 species of deciduous shrubs from East Asia, primarily cultivated globally for their showy spring flowers. The genus name Weigela honors Christian Ehrenfried Weigel (1748-1831), German professor at the University of Geifswald. A densely rounded, deciduous shrub growing 5-8’ tall, this particular variety is chiefly grown for its elliptic to obovate, soft chartreuse foliage and profuse, funnel-shaped, deep red flowers that bloom profusely in early summer. Note that ‘Olympiade’ is synonymous with ‘Rubidor’.

Tolerances

• Clay Soil

Potential Problems

This Weigela variety is renowned for its inherent toughness, presenting no serious insect or disease problems under normal growing conditions. Gardeners should remain vigilant for common localized issues but rarely need intensive chemical intervention. Over-pruning at the wrong time is a more common self-inflicted issue than pest infestation.

Monitoring for aphids, though infrequent, can prevent minor infestations, usually treatable with a strong spray of water or insecticidal soap if necessary. Ensure adequate air circulation, especially when planting close to structures or other plants, to prevent fungal issues that can occur in persistently damp, still air.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Weigela ‘Olympiade’ BRIANT RUBIDOR suitable for?

Weigela ‘Olympiade’ BRIANT RUBIDOR is reliably cold-hardy in USDA Zones 4 through 8.

How large does Weigela grow?

At maturity, this deciduous shrub typically reaches a height between 5 and 8 feet, spreading out to an impressive 7 to 9 feet wide.

When does Weigela bloom?

This specific Weigela provides a long season of blooms, flowering from June, peaking in June to September, and displaying deep red flowers.

What sun exposure does Weigela need?

For the best flowering and foliage color on Weigela ‘Olympiade’ BRIANT RUBIDOR, plant it in Full sun exposure.

Conclusion

The Weigela ‘Olympiade’ BRIANT RUBIDOR is an outstanding choice for gardeners needing low-maintenance structure with impressive, long-lasting summer color. Its tolerance for clay soil and its low susceptibility to pests make it a gardener’s friend. Before planting, confirm your location falls within USDA Zones 4-8 and ensure you reserve ample space to accommodate its impressive 7 to 9-foot spread.

Companion Planting

Choosing companions that match the medium water and full-sun needs of Weigela will ensure a cohesive planting scheme. Consider pairing the chartreuse foliage and red flowers of Weigela ‘Olympiade’ BRIANT RUBIDOR with plants that offer contrasting deep purple or blue blooms. Good structural partners include many upright ornamental grasses chosen for late-season texture, or late-flowering perennials like Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) or Catmint (Nepeta).

When using this shrub in a hedge row, interplanting low-growing groundcovers that tolerate shade when cast by the mature shrub can help suppress weeds and retain soil moisture around the base of the Weigela. Ensure companions do not compete aggressively for water or nutrients, as the Weigela prefers undisturbed root systems once established.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Spring is the ideal time to assess the prior year’s growth on your Weigela. Remove any obviously dead or damaged wood before new growth begins. Remember that the major bloom occurs on old wood, so be conservative with pruning until flowering concludes.

Summer care centers on maximizing flower potential. Water deeply but infrequently, allowing the top inch or two of soil to slightly dry between waterings, reflecting its medium water needs. Immediately after the first heavy flush of bloom in June/July, perform any necessary cosmetic shaping or hard pruning required to maintain the desired size for your Weigela ‘Olympiade’ BRIANT RUBIDOR.

Winter preparation is minimal as this shrub is reliably hardy in zones 4-8. Avoid heavy fertilization late in the season, which can encourage tender new growth susceptible to early frosts. Enjoy the structure the deciduous branch pattern provides until spring returns.