Content
In its natural environment, weigela is common in East Asia, three species are found in the Far East. On the basis of wild varieties, a large number of hybrids have been created (from dwarf to medium-sized shrubs). The varieties differ in the color of the leaves and flowers. Weigela Red Prince is the result of American selection. The culture is adapted to the climatic conditions of Russia, shrubs are grown to decorate gardens and personal plots.
Description of Weigela Red Prince
Weigela flowering Red Prince is a perennial, deciduous hybrid belonging to medium-sized shrubs. The height and volume of the crown in an adult plant is 1.5 m.The duration of the biological cycle is 30-35 years, the main increase in height and width occurs in the first 5 years of life, the culture adds 15-20 cm per year.
External characteristics of the shrub:
- The crown is spreading, dense, rounded. Erect shoots with drooping tops, perennial dark brown, this year - green with a gray tint.
- Shrub weigela Red Prince densely leafy. Leaves are opposite, without petioles, light green with a yellow central vein, yellow in autumn. The edges of the plate are serrated. The surface is smooth, matte. They do not fall until the first frost.
- The root system is powerful, overgrown, superficial, of a mixed type.
- Seed capsules are oval, dark gray, contain 2 seeds each with lionfish. They ripen after each flowering in July and September; summer material is taken for breeding.
Fallen seeds sprout independently in the spring only in the southern regions. In areas with cold winters, the planting material for the next year does not give young growth.
How Weigela Red Prince blooms
Variety Red Prince blooms 2 times during the growing season and refers to the average flowering period. Weigela forms buds in mid-May at the top of last year's stems, after 14 days flowers appear. The first flowering in weigela is abundant within 1-1.5 months. The second wave is shorter and less intense. The buds are formed on young shoots in August, the flowers are smaller in size, they fade in September.
The flowers are large, bright carmine in color, grow up to 6 cm in length, collected in 4-6 pieces in inflorescences. Thomas is bell-shaped, consists of 5 petals. White anthers, located on long light pink filaments, give decorative effect to the flower. Unlike other representatives of the species, the flowers of the weigela Red Prince do not change color and have a delicate aroma.
Application in landscape design
Perennial shrub Red Prince blooms profusely and for a long time, retains decorative habit for a long time. These qualities are prioritized when choosing a variety. A plant is grown for decorating a backyard landscape, summer cottages, gardens. They are used for landscaping urban recreation areas, microdistricts, areas adjacent to administrative buildings.
Variants of design techniques for using the Red Prince weigela for landscape decoration are presented in the photo below.
As a tapeworm in the center of the flower bed.
In composition with dwarf and coniferous shrubs in mixborders.
At the edge of the park.
As an accent color in rockeries.
To create a hedge.
For decorative lawn decoration.
Weigela Red Prince not only harmoniously combines with plants, but also gets along well with them. The shrub is not affected by diseases, therefore it is not a source of infection. It is not afraid of parasitic insects that can spread to it from other representatives of the flora.
Breeding methods
Propagated by Weigela Red Prince by seeds, layering, cuttings and dividing the bush. The generative method is longer, seedlings will bloom only for 3 years, gardeners rarely use it. A faster and less laborious method is vegetative:
- Cuttings... The material is harvested after flowering from last year's shoots. Take the central part of the stem 20 cm in size. The cuttings are planted in the soil, constantly watered. By the fall, the material will take root, it is insulated for the winter, and in the spring it is planted on the site.
- By dividing the bush... Weigela Red Prince settles well in a new place. For division, a bush is taken at least 5 years old. Work is carried out in the spring before sap flow.
- Layers... To obtain planting material, last year's lower shoot is bent to the ground, fixed, covered with earth. During the spring-summer period, they are watered, and the cuttings are covered for the winter. Young shoots will appear in the spring; in early June, plots are cut and planted on the site.
Landing rules for Weigela Red Prince
Weigela Red Prince is an unpretentious plant, rooted well, does not require increased attention from the gardener. To obtain a healthy plant with a dense crown and the ability to bloom twice a season, a number of rules must be followed.
Recommended timing
According to gardeners, in a temperate climate, weigelu Red Prince is planted on the site in spring, when the soil warmed up to +6 0C. Approximate dates are in late April or early May. Autumn planting is suitable only for the Southern regions, in the Middle Lane weigela will not have time to take root before the onset of frost, the seedling will die during the winter.
Site selection and soil preparation
For abundant flowering, weigela Red Prince needs a sufficient amount of light. A shrub is planted in an open area, a place with periodic shading is suitable (no more than two hours a day). The Red Prince hybrid will not bloom profusely if the planting site is in a draft. To exclude the effect of the north wind in an open area, the plant is placed near tall trees or ornamental shrubs that are taller and wider than weigels. The optimal place is the southern slopes or the southeast side behind the building wall.
Suitable soils for weigela Red Prince are sandy loam or loamy, light, fertile, enriched with oxygen. Lowlands and wetlands are not suitable. Weigela does not tolerate even a slight waterlogging of the soil. The composition of the soil should be neutral or slightly alkaline. For spring planting, the site is prepared in the fall, dug up, if necessary, neutralize acidity, add organic matter and urea.
How to plant correctly
Before planting, Red Prince weigels prepare fertile soil, mix in equal parts sand, compost, soil from the planting site. Ash and a product containing phosphorus are added. The root of the seedling is disinfected with a manganese solution, then dipped in "Kornevin" to stimulate growth.
Weigela planting sequence:
- Dig a planting recess with a diameter of 50x60 cm, the depth is equal to the length of the root system to the neck plus 20 cm for drainage and 15 cm for a layer of fertile mixture.
- Gravel or small stones are placed on the bottom of the pit, on top of a layer of prepared nutrient soil.
- The seedling is placed in the center, covered with the rest of the mixture and soil.
- Seal the trunk circle, water, mulch.
When creating a hedge, a distance between seedlings of 1.5 m is maintained.
Growing rules
Weigela Red Prince is grown on the site as an element of decor, so the shrub should bloom profusely and have a well-formed crown. To achieve the desired result, you must follow the care recommendations.
Watering
Weigela Red Prince is a plant with medium drought resistance, periodic watering is necessary for young seedlings during the entire growing season. Do not allow the root ball to dry out and waterlogging. If there is no precipitation, the plant is watered three times a week with a small amount of water. An adult shrub is abundantly moisturized during the budding period. The next procedure is carried out in mid-June - during abundant flowering, as well as in mid-August. If the precipitation is normal, the adult weigela is not watered.
Top dressing
Young shrub weigela Red Prince is not fed until 3 years old. The plant has enough micronutrients introduced during planting. In early spring, an adult weigel is applied a complex fertilizer, at the beginning of flowering, potassium-containing agents are given, after 2 weeks superphosphate. In autumn, the trunk circle is covered with wood ash.
Loosening, mulching
An adult plant does not respond to soil compaction; weeds do not grow under a dense, low crown. Loosening is necessary for young seedlings, for the growth of the root system, an unhindered access of oxygen is needed. Loosening is important after each watering or rainfall, weeds are removed if necessary.
Mulching a plant is a necessary and multifunctional procedure. The covering layer retains moisture, protects the root system from overheating, and is an element of decor.
A mixture of peat and sawdust, crushed pine cones, tree bark or chips are used as a mulching material, giving a neat aesthetic appearance to the site. By autumn, the layer is increased with needles or straw, and the mulch is renewed in spring.
Pruning, crown shaping
The natural form of the weigela Red Prince is compact, the branches do not protrude beyond the boundaries of the visual framework. Crown formation is not required for the plant. Pruning is carried out after flowering in July. From last year's shoots, on which there were flower stalks, the upper part is removed by 15-25 cm. In the spring, cosmetic pruning is done, dry fragments, curved, weak shoots are removed. The shrub is thinned out if necessary. Rejuvenating pruning of weigela Red Prince is done once every 2 years. All old branches are cut off near the root, work is carried out before sap flow.
Preparing for winter
Hybrid varieties of crops are less resistant to low temperatures, the frost resistance of the Red Prince weigel is no exception. A plant without serious loss of crown and root system can withstand -28 0 C, but in spring the difference between plus daytime and minus night temperatures causes the shoots to freeze. Therefore, young seedlings and adult shrubs in temperate climates need shelter for the winter.
Preparing for winter:
- An adult plant is given water-charging irrigation.
- Young bushes spud.
- For all age categories, Red Prince weigels increase the mulch layer.
- The stems are collected in a bunch, tied with a rope.
- They are bent to the ground, fixed.
- They are covered with a special material that does not allow moisture to pass through.
- Around the bush, a fence is made with a height of about 35-50 cm.
- Dry leaves are poured inside, covered with spruce branches on top, in winter the structure is covered with snow.
Pests and diseases
The Red Prince hybrid is highly immune to bacterial and viral infections. The plant does not get sick, if the plant is located in a swampy area, rotting of the root system is possible. Of the pests on the weigel, aphids parasitize. An effective remedy for insect control is the Keltan preparation. The reason for the appearance of aphids is ants, after processing the bush, anthills are removed from the site.For the prevention of the bear in the spring, weigela is poured with a solution of "Aktara" at the root.
Conclusion
Weigela Red Prince is an ornamental flowering shrub of American selection. Cultivate culture in order to decorate the landscape of the city, garden, garden or suburban area. Weigela is unpretentious in care, retains decorative effect for a long time, does not get sick and is rarely affected by pests.
