Weigela (Weigela 'Dark Horse')

Overview

Weigela ‘Dark Horse’ offers a stunning contrast in the landscape, making it a highly desirable choice for gardeners seeking consistent color interest. This deciduous shrub is celebrated for breeding efforts that maximized its deep, dark purple foliage, setting it apart from standard green Weigela varieties. Its growth habit is dense and rounded, providing structure even when not in bloom.

This cultivar shines brightest in mid-to-late spring when covered in profuse, funnel-shaped pink flowers, which attract hummingbirds. While the main flush occurs in spring, sporadic repeat blooming can occur throughout the summer months, extending its visual appeal. As a low-maintenance shrub, Weigela ‘Dark Horse’ integrates easily into diverse garden settings.

The compact size rarely exceeding three feet makes Weigela an excellent screening or border plant where space is at a premium. Growing Weigela ‘Dark Horse’ successfully relies on providing adequate sunlight to maintain that prized dark foliage color and encourage abundant flowering.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Caprifoliaceae
• Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-8
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 2-3 ft
  • Spread: 2-3 ft
• Bloom Time: April to June
• Bloom Description: Pink
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Water Needs: Medium
• Maintenance Level: Low

How to Grow

For optimal performance, plant Weigela ‘Dark Horse’ in the spring or fall when cooler temperatures reduce transplant shock. Locate your shrub where it receives full sun; while it tolerates very light shade, full sun is crucial to achieving the darkest foliage color and best flowering display. This shrub adapts well to average, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Fortunately, it shows good tolerance for moderately poor soils, including clay.

Watering should be consistent, especially during the first year after planting to establish a robust root system. Afterward, its medium water needs mean regular supplemental watering is necessary during extended dry periods, although established plants are reasonably resilient. Fertilization is seldom required; focus instead on annual mulching to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.

Pruning is best handled immediately after the main spring flowering concludes. This timing ensures that you remove spent blooms without sacrificing next year’s flower buds, which form on old wood. For Weigela ‘Dark Horse’, basic pruning only involves shaping the shrub to maintain its dense, rounded form or selectively removing any aging, unproductive stems at the base.

Landscape Uses

Weigela ‘Dark Horse’ excels both as a specimen plant and utilized within mass plantings, such as shrub borders. Its neat, rounded habit and striking dark leaves provide year-round structure that complements brighter green or variegated foliage plants beautifully. Given its manageable 2 to 3-foot height and spread, it is exceptionally effective when massed as a low hedge, offering dark definition against fences or lighter colored homes.

For foundation plantings, the compact stature of Weigela allows it to be placed closer to structures than many larger deciduous shrubs, while its colorful spring display draws the eye. Consider pairing the dark purple leaves of Weigela ‘Dark Horse’ with plants that bloom in blue or white during the spring, such as certain varieties of early-blooming Allium or white creeping Phlox, to maximize visual contrast.

Its use as an informal hedge is highly recommended, providing a dense screen that requires minimal trimming compared to formal hedging plants. Because it is so attractive to hummingbirds, group several Weigela specimens near seating areas or windows to enjoy the passing visitors.

Flower Qualities

• Showy

Noteworthy Characteristics

Weigela is a genus of about 12 species of deciduous shrubs from East Asia, grown primarily for their showy spring flowers. The cultivar ‘Dark Horse’ is a compact, dark-leaved, pink-flowered selection bred specifically to feature the darkest possible foliage colors. This dense, rounded shrub produces profuse, funnel-shaped pink flowers, particularly along the branches from the previous year’s growth in mid- to late spring, with occasional repeat blossoms in summer. Its dark purple leaves hold their color well throughout the season, and hummingbirds are notably attracted to the blooms.

Tolerances

• Clay Soil

Potential Problems

Weigela ‘Dark Horse’ is generally considered free of serious insect or disease problems, marking it as a reliable choice for low-maintenance gardening. While generally robust, gardeners should monitor for common sap-sucking pests like aphids, particularly on new, succulent growth in the spring. If infestations occur, a strong spray of water or insecticidal soap applied early in the season is usually sufficient for control. Disease issues are rare, but ensuring good air circulation, especially when planting in dense groupings, helps prevent minor fungal concerns.

Wildlife Benefits

The vibrant pink, funnel-shaped flowers of Weigela ‘Dark Horse’ serve as an excellent nectar source during their primary blooming period in late spring. This plant is particularly noted for attracting hummingbirds, which are drawn to the shape and color of the blossoms. Planting this Weigela near areas where you observe pollinator activity can enhance the biodiversity of your garden space.

Propagation Tips

Propagation of this patented cultivar, Weigela ‘Dark Horse’, is typically achieved through semi-hardwood cuttings taken in mid-summer after the main flowering period has passed. Dip the bases of the cuttings in root-promoting hormone and place them in a well-draining, sterile medium under high humidity conditions (such as a mist bench or covered propagation container). While challenging, successful rooting allows gardeners to increase their supply of this visually distinct Weigela without purchasing new nursery stock.

Conclusion

Weigela ‘Dark Horse’ provides exceptional value through its dense, dark purple foliage contrast set against cheerful pink spring flowers, all wrapped up in a compact, low-maintenance package. This exceptional cultivar of Weigela is a versatile choice for borders, hedges, or specimen planting in USDA Zones 4 through 8. Check your local region’s last frost date and aim to plant your Weigela ‘Dark Horse’ in the spring for best establishment before the heat of summer arrives.