Weigela is an ornamental shrub that produces gorgeous pink flowers. If you have one of these beautiful plants in your yard, you likely need to know how to prune it and what type of care it needs through the seasons. So, do you cut back weigela in the fall? Below you will find all the information you need to prepare this plant for the colder months.
Why Do Plants Need To Be Pruned?
Pruning plants helps encourage them to send energy to healthy branches, leaves, and flowers. It allows them to create new, more substantial growth. There are several ways to prune plants, including removing old blooms or dead branches and twigs.
Should Weigela Be Pruned?
Weigela must be pruned to maintain its neat appearance and thick foliage. Deciding when to prune comes down mainly to your end goals for the plant. Generally, most people will cut back their weigela in spring after the leaves have appeared so that it has time to recover for the summer season. You can also address dead branches in the winter months.
You might choose to prune this plant in the fall in order to encourage stronger growth in the following season. While this won’t necessarily kill the plant, there is a chance it won’t thrive if you do this. If you want to cut it back in the fall, try to do so early.
How Else Is This Plant Prepared for Fall?
Besides pruning, there are a few things you can do to get this plant ready for the fall, although it is fairly self-sufficient in the winter months. Below is a short list of the things that you can do to keep your weigela comfortable as the weather cools:
- Continue to water as long as the ground is not freezing. Moist soil stays warmer than dry soil.
- Add an organic mulch to the ground to help keep the roots warm. This addition is also a significant boost of nutrition before winter.
- Start wrapping the stems as it sheds leaves to prevent sun scorching in winter.
- Consider putting up some chicken wire or fencing to keep rabbits out. Many small creatures appreciate this dense shrubbery throughout the winter.
Other Ways To Care For Weigela
There are many varieties of Weigela including the weigela golden jackpot. Pruning is not the only care this variety of plant needs. Here is a short list of things you can do to keep your shrub happy:
- This plant appreciates well-draining soil that will help prevent moisture from sitting on the roots.
- Full sunshine is necessary for this plant to reach its full potential during the blooming season.
- Weigela is hardy in zones four through eight.
- This plant prefers slightly acidic soil with a pH level between 5.5 and 7.5.
Do You Cut Back Weigela in The Fall?: Conclusion
You may choose not to cut back on this plant in the fall, but that doesn’t mean you should never prune it. The weigela needs to have dead materials removed regularly to help it maintain its attractive shape and luscious foliage.