Weigela Snowflake

Weigela 'Snowflake' is a variety of Weigela with very bright white tubular flowers. This medium-sized shrub reaches 1.5 m (5 ft) in all directions, with a bushy habit. Hardy and highly adaptable in terms of soil and exposure, it will grow in the sun or in partial shade. Its flowering period extends from May to early July, often with a second bloom in September.

Weigela belongs to the Caprifoliaceae family, which also includes honeysuckles (Lonicera) or the imposing Heptacodium, a large shrub with long-lasting flowering and particularly decorative bark in winter. Weigelas, once very trendy a few decades ago, have somewhat fallen out of favour in recent years. However, they are easy, generous, and adaptable plants that require little attention.

The Snowflake variety comes from a seedling of the famous 'Bristol Ruby' variety obtained at the Bristol nurseries (USA) in 1961. It is mainly distinguished by its bright white flowers. Its flowering period extends from May to early July, in the form of a profusion of small white trumpets lightly edged with pale pink. This shrub has bright green deciduous leaves with a slightly lighter underside and a very bushy habit. Its limited adult dimensions (1.8 x 1.5 m (6 x 5 ft)) and its average annual growth (20 to 40 cm (8 to 16 in)) make it a great choice for small gardens, either as a standalone plant or integrated into a flower bed.

Like all Weigelas, 'Snowflake' is highly adaptable: it appreciates limestone but will be satisfied with any good, well-drained garden soil that is not too dry, in the sun or in partial shade. It is hardy and can withstand temperatures down to -15 °C (5 °F). If necessary, prune the faded branches at their base, just after flowering - this will not compromise the next year's flowering. It is worth noting that even an older Weigela is easy to transplant thanks to its relatively shallow root system.

This shrub will be perfectly at home in a flower bed, especially when combined with pink or red blooms to create a colour contrast. Among other plants that are as easy to grow, we recommend the well-known 'Anthony Waterer' Spirea with vibrant pink flowers and a compact habit, which will make an excellent foreground choice. A beautiful hawthorn with dark pink flowers will support this Weigela in the background of a larger flower bed. Snowflake is also suitable for mixed hedges, in combination with other medium to large-sized shrubs such as Forsythia, Photinia, Escallonia...