Weigela (Weigela 'Nana Variegata')
Weigela 'Nana Variegata' is a compact deciduous shrub offering profuse rose-pink flowers and variegated foliage; ideal for low-maintenance borders.
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Complete Plant Information
Overview
Weigela ‘Nana Variegata’ is a highly valued deciduous shrub, frequently sought after for its manageable size and attractive bicolored display. This specific cultivar of Weigela stands out due to its densely-rounded habit, making it a perfect fit for smaller garden spaces where larger shrubs would overwhelm the landscape. Gardeners appreciate this Weigela for the contrast provided by its creamy white-edged, variegated foliage throughout the season.
The main aesthetic appeal centers on its prolific bloom period from late spring into early summer, when it is covered in delicate rose-pink, funnel-shaped flowers. These blooms reliably attract hummingbirds, adding dynamic wildlife interest to the yard. The Weigela genus generally thrives with moderate care, and the compact ‘Nana Variegata’ is no exception, offering low maintenance coupled with high impact.
As one of the smallest Weigelas available, Weigela ‘Nana Variegata’ serves multiple functional roles, from creating neat low hedges to providing year-round textural interest through its foliage. Its reliable performance in USDA Zones 4 through 8 makes it a dependable flowering shrub for many climates across North America.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Caprifoliaceae
- Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 2.5-3 ft
- Spread: 3-4 ft
- Bloom Time: April to June
- Bloom Description: Rose pink
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Planting the Weigela ‘Nana Variegata’ is best achieved in the spring or fall, allowing the root system time to establish before summer heat or winter cold sets in. Choose a location that receives full sun exposure; while this shrub tolerates very light shade, maximum flowering and the brightest foliage variegation require unobstructed sunlight. It succeeds readily in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils.
Ongoing care for this Weigela variety is straightforward. Maintain medium moisture levels, especially during the first growing season, by watering deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry. Fertilization is rarely necessary unless the soil is severely deficient. The most important cultural practice involves pruning: to maintain its neat, compact shape and encourage dense blooming, prune immediately following the primary flowering period in late spring.
Avoid heavy pruning in late summer or fall, as this can remove the wood that would bear next year’s blooms. A yearly light shaping is usually sufficient for Weigela ‘Nana Variegata’. Mulching helps conserve soil moisture and regulate root temperature, reducing watering frequency throughout the hotter months.
Landscape Uses
The compact nature and striking bicolored appearance position Weigela ‘Nana Variegata’ as an exceptional choice for detailed landscape work. It functions perfectly as a short shrub border lining sidewalks or defining garden beds where taller specimens would block sightlines. Furthermore, this cultivar is quite effective when used to create short, formal, or semi-formal hedges due to its dense, uniform growth habit.
For foundation plantings near homes, Weigela offers seasonal color and manageable structure without aggressively overgrowing windows or pathways. Consider planting groups of Weigela ‘Nana Variegata’ together for a mass planting effect that maximizes the visual impact of the variegated leaves and spring flowers. It pairs well architecturally with evergreen foundation plants or contrasting fine-textured grasses.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Weigela is a genus of about 12 species of deciduous shrubs from East Asia. They are grown for their showy spring flowers. ‘Nana Variegata’ is a compact, densely-rounded deciduous shrub which typically grows to only 3’ tall with a slightly larger spread. It is primarily grown for its compact size (smallest of the weigelas), profuse late spring flowers and variegated foliage. Elliptic to obovate, variegated green leaves (to 4” long) are edged with creamy white, and hummingbirds are attracted to the flowers.
Tolerances
- Clay Soil
Potential Problems
Gardeners will find Weigela ‘Nana Variegata’ relatively worry-free, as it typically presents no serious insect or disease problems when sited correctly. Ensure the plant receives adequate sunlight and has well-drained conditions to prevent opportunistic fungal issues. Observing the plant regularly during dry spells is the best preventative measure against stress-related pest susceptibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Weigela ‘Nana Variegata’ suitable for?
Weigela ‘Nana Variegata’ is hardy and thrives in USDA Zones 4 through 8.
How large does Weigela grow?
This compact shrub typically matures to a height between 2.5 to 3 feet tall, with a spread ranging from 3 to 4 feet wide.
When does Weigela bloom?
The primary bloom time for Weigela ‘Nana Variegata’ is from April to June, producing abundant rose-pink flowers, with some scattered repeat blooming possible.
What sun exposure does Weigela need?
For optimal flowering and the most vibrant variegated foliage, this Weigela requires full sun exposure, though it can tolerate small amounts of afternoon shade.
Conclusion
The Weigela ‘Nana Variegata’ offers exceptional value to the mid-sized garden, providing low maintenance, attractive variegated foliage, and a burst of spring color that reliably attracts hummingbirds. Because this is one of the smaller Weigela cultivars, incorporating Weigela ‘Nana Variegata’ into formal borders or foundation plantings is highly practical. Ensure you purchase this specimen during the planting season appropriate for your USDA Zone 4-8 location to guarantee successful establishment.
Wildlife Benefits
The striking, nectar-rich flowers of this Weigela are a significant draw for local wildlife, particularly hummingbirds, which are strongly attracted to the rose-pink, funnel-shaped blooms from April through June. Planting Weigela ‘Nana Variegata’ near a seating area maximizes your enjoyment of these frequent avian visitors during the late spring months. Establishing a border solely of these shrubs can create a reliable nectar corridor in your landscape.
Design Ideas for Small Spaces
Weigela ‘Nana Variegata’ excels in contemporary or cottage garden designs that require structure without overwhelming height. Its 3-foot maximum height makes it ideal for the intermediate layer in a mixed border, placed behind low groundcovers but in front of taller background shrubs or small trees. The variegated leaves provide necessary light contrast in shady corners, brightening up darker areas even when the shrub is not in bloom.
