Weigela (Weigela 'Red Prince')
The striking Weigela 'Red Prince' is a low-maintenance, deciduous shrub known for its vibrant red spring blooms and bushy habit.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Weigela ‘Red Prince’ is an esteemed deciduous shrub, valued by gardeners for its dramatic display of funnel-shaped red flowers that reliably emerge from April into June atop dense green foliage. This cultivar offers significant visual impact, making it a fantastic focal point or structural element in the landscape. Gardeners appreciate the Weigela genus for its robust nature and ease of care, and ‘Red Prince’ upholds this reputation.
Maturing into an upright, oval-rounded form, Weigela ‘Red Prince’ provides excellent texture and long-season interest. Beyond its spring flowering performance, which attracts hummingbirds looking for nectar, this shrub is known for its low maintenance requirements. It thrives in average soils with medium moisture, provided it receives ample sunlight to encourage the best possible bloom set.
For gardeners seeking reliable structure and bold color, establishing Weigela ‘Red Prince’ is a wise choice. Its adaptability, especially concerning soil tolerance, makes it accessible even for those working with challenging clay conditions. Plan your placement carefully to ensure it receives full sun for maximum flowering potential throughout the growing season.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Caprifoliaceae
- Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 6-9 ft
- Spread: 6-9 ft
- Bloom Time: April to June
- Bloom Description: Red
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Planting Weigela ‘Red Prince’ is best accomplished in spring or fall, allowing the roots time to establish before facing extreme summer heat or winter cold. Choose a location that receives full sun, although this hardy shrub can tolerate a small amount of very light afternoon shade. It performs optimally in average, medium-moisture, well-drained soils.
Watering should remain consistent, aiming for medium moisture levels, especially during establishment or periods of extreme heat. Fertilizing is rarely necessary if the soil is reasonably fertile. The most crucial cultural task is pruning: shape your Weigela immediately after the main spring flowering concludes to encourage a tidy form and maximize next year’s flower buds.
This deciduous shrub generally requires little specialized winter preparation, though new plantings should receive a protective layer of mulch. Consistent sunlight exposure is vital; if planted in too much shade, the flowering of the Weigela ‘Red Prince’ will diminish significantly. Its ability to handle clay soils makes it a dependable performer across various landscape situations.
Landscape Uses
Weigela ‘Red Prince’ excels wherever a substantial, colorful specimen or structural screen is required. Its natural dense, upright shape lends itself perfectly to forming an informal yet substantial hedge that provides reliable spring color. Use it as a background element in mixed shrub borders, where its bright blooms can contrast nicely with darker foliage plants.
When utilized as a specimen, the Weigela provides excellent vertical interest in a foundation planting, softening hard architectural lines. For larger properties, planting several Weigela ‘Red Prince’ shrubs together creates a spectacular group display, guiding the eye along pathways or property edges. It pairs well with early-blooming bulbs or later-season perennials that can take over the color display once the shrub finishes flowering.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Weigela is a genus of about 12 species of deciduous shrubs from East Asia, primarily cultivated for their showy spring flowers. The ‘Red Prince’ cultivar is notable for being a dense, upright, oval-rounded shrub that matures to 6-9 feet tall and wide. It produces funnel-shaped red flowers that maintain their bright color as they age, offering a less muted hue compared to some older varieties, and these blooms are highly attractive to hummingbirds.
Tolerances
- Clay Soil
Potential Problems
One of the primary advantages of Weigela ‘Red Prince’ is its exceptional resistance to pests and diseases. Gardeners rarely encounter serious insect infestations or widespread fungal issues, contributing to its low-maintenance profile. Should any minor pest problem occur, standard horticultural oil or insecticidal soap treatments are usually sufficient to manage the situation without heavy chemical intervention.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Weigela ‘Red Prince’ suitable for?
Weigela ‘Red Prince’ is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 4 through 8, allowing for wide cultivation across many temperate regions.
How large does Weigela grow?
This deciduous shrub typically reaches a mature height and spread between 6 and 9 feet, forming a dense, rounded silhouette.
When does Weigela ‘Red Prince’ bloom?
The primary flush of bloom for Weigela ‘Red Prince’ occurs from April through June, featuring masses of vibrant red flowers.
What sun exposure does Weigela ‘Red Prince’ need?
For the absolute best flowering performance and foliage color, Weigela requires full sun exposure throughout the day.
Conclusion
The Weigela ‘Red Prince’ stands out as a high-impact, low-effort addition to nearly any temperate garden space, delivering reliable structure and stunning red spring blossoms. Its tolerance for average soils, including clay, combined with its low maintenance needs, secures its place as a staple shrub. Before planting, confirm your local hardiness zone falls within USDA 4-8, and schedule your pruning immediately post-bloom to ensure a spectacular showing next spring.
Companion Planting
Selecting companions that enjoy similar sun and water requirements will enhance the overall garden composition around your Weigela. Consider pairing the mid-spring bloom of Weigela ‘Red Prince’ with shrubs that bloom later, such as Hydrangeas or late-flowering Spirea varieties, to extend the season of interest. For lower border plantings, plants that thrive in medium moisture, like Hostas or certain ornamental grasses, can provide textural contrast without competing aggressively for resources beneath the shrub canopy.
Wildlife Benefits
The magnificent red, funnel-shaped flowers signature to Weigela ‘Red Prince’ are particularly attractive to specific native pollinators. Hummingbirds actively seek out the nectar produced by these blooms, making this shrub a fantastic choice for creating a wildlife-friendly border or garden segment. While the foliage provides general cover for small wildlife, the primary benefit remains focused on nectar feeding during the main flowering period in late spring and early summer.
