Weigela florida Caricature

Weigela florida 'Caricature' is a compact variety that does not go unnoticed: its soft green leaves are very crinkled, almost curled, and have a very aesthetic cream-white margin. In mid-spring, it produces flowers that open white and then turn pale pink. Very adaptable and not bulky, it will find its place and attract attention in all gardens, even the smallest ones, in full sun or partial shade.

Weigela belongs to the Caprifoliaceae family, which also includes the famous honeysuckles or the Kolkwitzia, another beautiful shrub with pink flowers. Weigelas, very popular a few decades ago, have fallen out of fashion in recent years. However, they are easy, generous, and adaptable plants that require little attention. The Weigela florida species, contrary to what its name might suggest (which actually means "well-flowered"), naturally grows in open forests in China, Korea, and Japan, and not in Florida! It is a shrub that grows 2 to 3 m (7 to 10 ft) in all directions, with branches bending under the weight of numerous spring pink flowers.

The 'Caricature' variety is derived from this species: it is distinguished by its very crinkled, almost curled and sometimes crisped foliage. The leaves have a variegated cream-white margin, which often takes on pink tones over the course of the season. While some may certainly describe it as strange or unusual, others will likely find it charming and intriguing! What is certain is that it will not go unnoticed in your garden and will stimulate discussion. Between late April and late May/early June, it produces trumpet-shaped flowers, pure white when budding, then increasingly pink as they open. Since they do not all open at the same time, a frequently attractive two-tone effect is obtained. Depending on the weather, 'Caricature' sometimes reblooms in September. It is compact and will not exceed 1.5 m (5 ft) in height and 1 m (3 ft) in width.

Like all Weigelas, the 'Caricature' cultivar is very adaptable: it likes limestone but will be content with any good, well-drained garden soil that is not too dry, in non-blazing sun or partial shade. It is very hardy and not afraid of the cold and can withstand temperatures down to -25 °C (-13 °F). If necessary, prune the faded branches at their base, just after flowering - this will not compromise the next year's flowers, but will maintain a compact and dense habit and actually increase its flowering. It should be noted that even older Weigelas are easy to transplant due to their relatively shallow root system.

This shrub will be excellent in a small country hedge, with other modest-sized shrubs such as Cotinus 'Young Lady', Chinese Lilac Superba, Deutzia 'Pearl Rose', or Berberis 'Orange Rocket'. At its base, install ground cover such as Phuopsis stylosa and 'Kupferteppich' Acaena in full sun, or sweet woodruff and Epimedium pubigerum in partial shade. Its relatively compact size also allows it to be grown in a large pot so it can be admired on a terrace, for example. However, remember to water it regularly to prevent the substrate from drying out.