Height: 1.25 m (4 feet)
Spread: 1.25 m (4 feet)
Bloom: deep rosy red, funnel shaped
Exposure: full sun
Foliage: bright green with yellow edges

Pluses: long bloom, foliage colour, attracts hummingbirds

Weigela are an old-fashioned plant but newer varieties are showing up every year. French Lace is a tall cultivar with variegated foliage and deep rosy red flowers. French Lace provides a bright accent in any garden. It tolerates a variety of soils and is drought tolerant once established. I have experienced some dieback of canes in windy locations in my Zone 5 Southern Ontario garden however new growth is prolific and it quickly grows to its previous height by mid-summer. Weigela are also very attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies.

Weigela French Lace is in full bloom in my Zone 5 Southern Ontario garden in early June. Weigela blooms on both old growth and new growth from “old stems” so it will sporatically rebloom throughout the summer. New stems that grow from the base will not bloom until next year.

I chose French Lace for its combination of bright foliage and deep rose red flowers. There is a culivar called ‘Sunny Princess’ which has similar foliage but lighter pink flowers which I find a bit pale against the brighter foliage.

Garden Location: Kitchen Patio Garden, East Garden and Woodland Garden