Q&A for How to Prune Weigela

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  • Question
    Do weigela plants lose their leaves in winter?
    Maggie Moran
    Home & Garden Specialist
    Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.
    Home & Garden Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Yes. Because weigela is considered a deciduous plant, they will drop their leaves in the fall.
  • Question
    How do you trim a rhododendron bush?
    Maggie Moran
    Home & Garden Specialist
    Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.
    Home & Garden Specialist
    Expert Answer
    It is best to cut back the plant until you reveal most of the inner branches. Once that is finished, you find the leaves you want to keep and cut 1/4 inch above those leaves. In an extreme situation, the plant can be cut to 12-15 inches from the ground.
  • Question
    How often should I water my weigela?
    Maggie Moran
    Home & Garden Specialist
    Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.
    Home & Garden Specialist
    Expert Answer
    If you get about an inch of rainfall in 10 days, your plant will be fine. If the soil around the plant gets really dry, it is best to soak the plant.
  • Question
    Can you cut forsythia to the ground?
    Maggie Moran
    Home & Garden Specialist
    Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.
    Home & Garden Specialist
    Expert Answer
    For an extremely overgrown plant, you can cut it to about 4 inches from the ground. This will take about 2 years for a new shrub to grow.
  • Question
    When is the best time to prune weigela?
    Community Answer
    It is best to prune weigela shrubs in the late spring after they have finished blooming.
  • Question
    I planted a weigela bush in the spring. Should I cover it with a rose cone if I live in Northwest Illinois?
    Community Answer
    No, rose cones can create too much heat on a sunny day, causing the plant to try out when the ground is frozen.
  • Question
    How many of the branches should I reduce the weigela for the winter?
    Community Answer
    About 1/3 but this is best done well before frost. Try to cut at a 45 degree sloping angle (downward) above a leaf node.
  • Question
    Can I cut an old weigela back to rejuvenate it if it is very woody?
    Community Answer
    If it is very woody, then cut back gradually over 2 or 3 seasons. Try not to hack it right back in one go though, as doing this could kill it.
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