Content
Planting and caring for weigela in Siberia and the Urals have their own characteristics. If in a warm climate the cultivation of this ornamental shrub does not require much effort, then in regions with severe winters weigel should be given more attention.
Is it possible to grow weigela in the Urals and Siberia
Subject to the cultivation techniques and the correct choice of the variety, the shrub will delight gardeners with lush flowering even in these cold areas.
Weigela varieties for Siberia
In Siberia, the most unpretentious varieties of weigela should be planted, since frost poses the greatest danger to plants. With the right shelter for the winter, weigels of these varieties can withstand a short drop in temperature to -40 ° C.
Weigela early
As the name suggests, this variety is characterized by early flowering. From mid-May, abundant pink or light purple-red flowers about 5 cm long bloom on this sprawling shrub.The bush is compact, does not exceed 2 m in height.The leaf plate is about 7 cm long, pubescent, elongated with a sharp tip, jagged along the edges. The variety is frost-resistant, withstands spring frosts well.
Weigela blooming
This variety blooms twice a year: in June, there is abundant flowering lasting up to 20 days; under favorable weather conditions, it can bloom a second time at the very beginning of autumn. Weigela blooming combines several subspecies:
- Purpurea with dark pink flowers and red-brown leaves.
- Alba, white flowers take on a pinkish tint when blooming.
- Nana Variegata with corollas of bright pink color and light edging of small leaves. This variety tolerates frosts down to -24 ° C.
Weigela is nice
The shrub of this variety reaches a height of 150 cm. The crown is formed by pubescent shoots covered with elongated oblong leaves up to 6 cm long. Pleasant Weigela begins to bloom in late May, can bloom again in the third decade of August. Differs in rather large funnel-shaped flowers. Outside, the corolla is colored pink with a purple or lilac tint. Inside the flower is light pink.
Weigela varieties for the Urals
The climate of the Urals is not homogeneous, and weather conditions differ significantly in different territories. Whether weigela can grow in the Urals depends on the variety and the ability of the gardener to provide her with proper care. As well as when growing in Siberia, for the cultivation of this shrub in the gardens of the Urals, it is worth giving preference to hardy frost-resistant varieties.
Weigel Middendorf
This variety of weigela is one of the most hardy, however, in terms of decorative qualities, it is in no way inferior to more capricious varieties. Due to its unpretentiousness, it will feel good not only in the Urals, but also in Siberia. The bush reaches a height of 250 cm, has oblong pointed leaves and large (up to 4 cm) flowers in the form of an elongated bell. Corollas are yellow with orange dots. Flowers can be either single or collected in small inflorescences.The flowering period occurs in early May and lasts up to 1 month. Repeated flowering is often observed in early August.
Weigel Maksimovich
The shrub of this variety has a beautiful spreading crown and grows to a height of 150 cm. Green leaves up to 8 cm long have an oblong shape with a pointed tip. In the second half of May, weigela Maksimovich blooms with pale yellow flowers of medium size in the shape of a bell-bell. The flowering of this variety is not very abundant. Although this weigela does not have increased frost resistance and without shelter can withstand cold temperatures down to -10 ° C, with proper shelter, it winters well in the territories of the Urals with a milder climate.
Planting and caring for weigela in the Urals and Siberia
The cultivation of shrubs in Siberia and the Urals does not differ significantly from the weigela agricultural technology in other territories. Numerous photos indicate that the correct choice of place, adherence to planting and care technologies allow you to get beautiful, healthy, abundantly flowering weigels, even when grown in Siberia and the Urals.
Recommended timing
In Siberia and the Urals, weigela is planted in open ground in early spring, when the danger of frost return has passed, especially since young plants up to 4 years of age, which are especially sensitive to frost, are best suited for planting. Only with the spring planting of a shrub in these regions will a young plant have time to take root and endure the winter well.
Site selection and soil preparation
When planting weigela in the Urals or Siberia, the correct choice of place plays an important role. A relatively short summer, the presence of sultry summer days, cold winds - these features of the climate of the Urals and Siberia can significantly damage the shrubs. So that weigela feels good and does not lose its decorative effect, she should be given a place protected from drafts and well warmed up by the sun. In this case, you need to consider shading the plantings from the midday sun rays. You can plant a shrub in the partial shade of tall trees with a loose crown. According to the reviews of many flower growers who grow weigela in Siberia and the Urals, the territories on the southern side of the buildings are best suited for it, since direct sunlight does not fall on them.
Weigela prefers loamy or sandy loamy soils with a neutral or slightly alkaline reaction, to which humus, sand and sod soil should be added before planting. The shrub does not tolerate stagnant moisture in the soil, therefore, areas prone to waterlogging must be drained. Avoid areas with near-surface groundwater.
Landing algorithm
The technology of planting weigela in open ground in Siberia and the Urals is quite simple:
- dig a hole about 40x40 cm in size for planting;
- pour broken brick, crushed stone or other drainage material on the bottom;
- add compost mixed with nitrophos;
- treat the root system of the seedling with a root growth stimulant;
- place the stalk in the center of the hole and cover with earth;
- tamp the soil and water abundantly;
- to mulch the near-trunk circle.
Features of growing weigela in Siberia and the Urals
According to gardeners' reviews, growing weigela in the Urals and Siberia is not very difficult. Shrub agricultural technology involves watering, feeding, mulching or loosening, pruning and preparing for winter.
Watering
When watering a shrub, the main thing is to maintain a balance: weigela does not tolerate waterlogged soil, but dry soil is not good for it either. The frequency and amount of watering depends on the characteristics of the soil and the established weather. During the period of active growth and flowering, the plant needs moisture more than at other times. In addition, in the spring, immediately after removing the winter shelter, the weigel needs to be watered abundantly.
Mulched shrubs need watering less often.
Top dressing
The first feeding is done in the spring, even before the snow melts. Potassium fertilizer, superphosphate, urea are scattered around the plant. During the formation of buds, potassium sulfate and superphosphate are added.
Pruning
When pruning a weigela, it is important to remember that flower buds form on last year's shoots, so an autumn haircut should not be done.
In early spring, immediately after the plant is released from the winter shelter, sanitary pruning is carried out, and in the summer, after the end of flowering, old and faded shoots are removed, that is, a shaping haircut is performed.
Preparing for winter
Proper preparation for winter of weigela grown in the Urals and Siberia is of paramount importance. Even the most frost-resistant varieties need reliable shelter. In order for weigela to endure the winter well, the following procedures must be performed:
- pre-winter watering;
- the formation of a slide from the soil around the trunk;
- mulching the trunk circle with organic materials;
- shading from sunburn;
- covering the crown of a plant with agrotextile, burlap or other insulating material.
Pests and diseases
With good care, weigela rarely gets sick, but it can be affected by insects.
Most often, plantings are annoyed by aphids, spider mites, thrips, which in advanced cases can even destroy the plant. Insecticides and folk remedies cope well with them, for example, an aqueous infusion of onion or garlic husks, tobacco dust, laundry soap, hot pepper. If the plantings have been infested by these insects, you should be prepared for the fact that the treatment of the affected plants will have to be carried out several times.
With prolonged stagnation of moisture in the soil, gray rot may appear. In this case, fungicides and proper care of the shrub will help the plant: the optimal watering regime, mulching or loosening, weeding out weeds.
Fusarium can affect weigela due to non-observance of the rules for pruning a shrub - the causative agent of this disease enters the plant through untreated sections and wounds. If most of the bush is not affected, Fundazol is used and the diseased parts of the plant are cut off.
Powdery mildew usually appears on the lower branches. For prevention purposes, shoots that are close to the ground should be cut off, and already diseased plants should be sprayed with fungicides.
Conclusion
Planting and caring for weigela in Siberia and the Urals does not fundamentally differ from the cultivation of this shrub in other territories, but the peculiarities of the climatic zones should be taken into account. So, short summers and cold winters, typical for the climate of Siberia and the Urals, make special demands on the frost resistance of the weigela. However, even sometimes harsh growing conditions, subject to agricultural technology, will not interfere with the cultivation of this oriental beauty.
