Weigela (Weigela 'Courtalor' CARNAVAL)
Weigela 'Courtalor' CARNAVAL is a low-maintenance deciduous shrub boasting white, pink, and red blooms from May to June in zones 5-9.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Weigela ‘Courtalor’ CARNAVAL is a highly valued deciduous shrub known for its robust display of funnel-shaped flowers that paint the late spring garden in shades of white, pink, and red. This cultivar, often recognized by the trade name CARNAVAL, offers gardeners reliable structure and season-long interest due to its dense, rounded habit. It is a fantastic choice for landscapes requiring low maintenance without sacrificing significant ornamental impact.
As a classic Weigela species, this shrub thrives in full sun, which ensures the best flowering performance and vibrant foliage color throughout the warmer months. Reaching a manageable height and spread of 3 to 5 feet, Weigela ‘Courtalor’ CARNAVAL integrates seamlessly into various garden designs, functioning perfectly as a specimen, border element, or an informal hedge. Its ease of care further cements its reputation as a staple plant for both novice and experienced growers seeking dependable seasonal beauty.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Caprifoliaceae
- Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 3-5 ft
- Spread: 3-5 ft
- Bloom Time: May to June
- Bloom Description: White, pink and red
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Weigela ‘Courtalor’ CARNAVAL performs best when planted in the spring or fall, allowing it time to establish roots before high summer heat. Ensure you plant it in a location that receives full sun for optimal blooming; while it tolerates very light shade, too much shade will significantly diminish the flower count. This shrub thrives in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils, though it shows tolerance for clay soils.
Once established, watering requirements are best classified as medium; supplement irrigation during long dry spells, but avoid consistently soggy conditions. Fertilization is rarely necessary if the soil is adequate. The most crucial cultural task for Weigela is pruning. Prune to shape immediately after the main flush of flowering in late spring or early summer concludes. Avoid heavy pruning late in the season, as this can remove next year’s potential blooms.
This deciduous shrub requires little winter preparation in its appropriate hardiness range of USDA Zones 5 through 9. In early spring, remove any dead or crossing wood before new growth begins. Adhering to the correct pruning time ensures you enjoy the prolific display that makes Weigela ‘Courtalor’ CARNAVAL so popular.
Landscape Uses
The versatility of Weigela ‘Courtalor’ CARNAVAL makes it an excellent element in numerous landscape designs. It is frequently employed in shrub borders where its combination of flowering ability and neat structure adds year-round dimension. Due to its dense, rounded shape, it is highly effective when massed together to create an informal hedge that requires minimal shaping once mature.
This Weigela also serves well as a specimen planting where its colorful spring flowers can be appreciated up close, or integrated into foundation plantings, softening hard architectural lines. For companion planting, consider pairing the deep green foliage and bright flowers with late-season bloomers or plants that offer contrasting leaf texture, such as ornamental grasses or dark-leafed Nandina varieties.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Weigela is a genus of about 12 species of deciduous shrubs from East Asia, primarily grown for their showy spring flowers. The genus name honors Christian Ehrenfried Weigel. ‘Courtalor’, commonly sold as CARNAVAL, is a dense, rounded deciduous weigela typically growing 3-5’ tall and wide. Its funnel-shaped flowers (up to 1.5” long) feature white, pink, and red hues blooming from late spring into early summer, often followed by a sparse repeat bloom. The leaves are medium green, elliptic to oblong, and maintain good color throughout the season.
Tolerances
- Clay Soil
Potential Problems
One significant advantage of growing Weigela ‘Courtalor’ CARNAVAL is its robust pest and disease resistance. Gardeners typically report no serious insect or disease problems, minimizing the need for chemical intervention. Good air circulation, achieved by proper spacing and necessary pruning, prevents most minor fungal issues that can occasionally affect dense shrubs.
Even when pests like aphids, which occasionally target Weigela, appear, they are usually manageable through simple cultural practices or minor spot treatments. Maintaining the plant’s cultural needs—full sun and well-drained soil—is the best preventative measure against developing minor stress-related issues in this otherwise tough shrub.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Weigela ‘Courtalor’ CARNAVAL suitable for?
This adaptable shrub is rated for USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 9, offering reliable cold tolerance across much of the temperate US.
How large does Weigela grow?
Weigela ‘Courtalor’ CARNAVAL matures to a size that is generally consistent in height and spread, reaching between 3 and 5 feet tall and expanding to a similar width.
When does Weigela bloom?
The primary bloom time for this Weigela cultivar is from May into June, featuring a mixed display of white, pink, and red flowers, sometimes followed by scattered rebloom later in the summer.
What sun exposure does Weigela need?
For the most abundant flowering, Weigela requires full sun exposure, although it can tolerate situations with very light afternoon shade.
Conclusion
Weigela ‘Courtalor’ CARNAVAL delivers exceptional value through its vibrant, multi-hued floral display and effortless, low-maintenance growth habit, making it indispensable for structure in borders and hedges. Ensure you provide this fine Weigela cultivar with ample sunlight to maximize both its color and flowering potential. Before planting, always confirm that your garden location falls within USDA Zones 5 to 9 for guaranteed long-term success.
Seasonal Care Calendar
The core cultural requirement for Weigela involves timing your pruning correctly. Immediately after the main May-June bloom period ends, assess the shrub’s shape. This is the ideal window for selective pruning to remove spent flowering stems and maintain the desired compact form. Pruning now encourages a neater shape going into late summer and promotes stronger blooming wood for the following spring.
If mid-summer dry periods become severe, provide supplemental water to maintain medium soil moisture, especially for younger plantings of Weigela ‘Courtalor’ CARNAVAL. Do not hesitate to deadhead any sporadic summer blooms if they appear sparse, as this keeps the visual profile tidy, but extensive pruning should be avoided from mid-summer onward. Minimal fall cleanup is necessary, as this deciduous shrub generally drops its leaves cleanly.
Companion Planting Ideas
Because Weigela thrives in full sun and prefers medium moisture, excellent companion plants include those with similar cultural needs that offer textural or color contrast. Consider pairing the Weigela ‘Courtalor’ CARNAVAL with plants that bloom later in the season, extending the garden’s interest beyond early summer. Purple or deep-red foliage plants create a stunning backdrop against the lighter blooms of the Weigela.
For groundcover near the base, look toward low-growing perennials that do not aggressively compete for surface moisture. Hostas (in areas where they receive enough light) or low spreading sedums can provide nice textural contrast beneath the shrub canopy. Ensure any selected companions also tolerate the occasional heavy soil or clay conditions that Weigela tolerates well.
