Looking for long-flowering, low-maintenance container shrubs? Weigela are spectacular pot plants to grow this year

Growing shrubs in pots is an ideal way to add structure, texture and color to outside spaces. Whether you have a small yard, patio or balcony, or would simply like to create an impactful container display, many spectacular shrubs can be grown in pots to great effect.

I have grown many different shrubs in containers when working as a professional gardener in the UK and Italy. From hydrangeas to lilacs, dogwoods to roses, there are so many low-maintenance, long-flowering shrubs to choose from. However, one shrub that I always return to is weigela. If you are looking for a container shrub with bright and brilliant trumpet-like blooms, weigela is the plant to pick.

While you might know how to grow weigela in a border, growing weigela in pots requires a slightly different approach to care and maintenance. Here, experts reveal how to care for this flowering shrub, with tips on how best to position, water and feed weigela plants grown in containers.

Growing weigela in pots

Considered one of the best low-maintenance shrubs, weigela plants are native to eastern Asia. These deciduous shrubs produce a bounty of brilliant blooms from spring until fall, ranging from purple to white, red to yellow, and every color in between. Popular with birds, bees and butterflies, weigela are superb plants for pollinators, ideal if you want to encourage wildlife in your yard this year.

How to care for weigela in pots

'Weigela shrubs are best suited to mild and temperate regions, and can be grown in US hardiness zones 4 to 8,' says Natalie Carmolli, garden expert and Public Relations Specialist at Spring Meadow Nursery. 'Whether grown in borders, beds or pots, weigela shrubs can tolerate a range of conditions and weathers.'

The placement of your containers will be determined by your location. Natalie recommends 'positioning your weigela pot in a full-sun position if you live in a cooler zone, such as US hardiness zone 5, whereas in warmer areas, such as US hardiness zone 8, placing your pot in a partially-shaded spot might be better.

'Plant up your pots with a well-draining potting mix,' Natalie continues. 'Weigela shrubs do not like having soggy roots, and they tend to prefer slightly acidic soil. I would use an acidic potting soil for the best results.' Acidic potting soil mixes are available from Amazon, ideal for rhododendrons, azaleas and weigela shrubs.

Through the spring and summer, when the temperatures rise, it is a good idea to monitor your pots. Remember that your container-grown plants can dry out very quickly on sunny days, so it is important to water consistently, which can mean once a day during hot spells.

It is also a good idea to feed your pots during the growing season. 'The best time to fertilize weigela is in the spring when your shrubs begin to awaken and little green buds are about to burst open,' says plant expert, Katie Sunderlage.

Fertilizing weigela shrubs in pots can help to improve soil health and replenish nutrients in the container. Katie recommends 'using a slow-release fertilizer that will continue to feed throughout the year.' Slow-release fertilizer for acid-loving plants is available to buy from Amazon.

Natalie Carmolli

Natalie is a garden and plant expert, working as a public relations specialist for Spring Meadow Nursery. She is an avid gardener and has a Certificate of Mastery in tree and shrub ID from Longwood Gardens.

Katie Sunderlage

Operations Manager at Holland Group, managing the customer service department and purchasing. Katie has been in the green industry since 2005 in the Greater Milwaukee area, earning her degree in Horticulture in 2008. She has been able to share her love for plants working in multiple garden centers, in sales positions and most recently in an online retail platform at Holland Group.

Weigela varieties to grow in pots

'Weigela shrubs are well suited to growing in pots, and there are plenty of dwarf cultivars that are ideal for smaller spaces,' says Natalie Carmolli.

If you are looking for container plants for a sunny patio, dwarf varieties are a good option, as Natalie suggests. 'Try the 'Snippet' series, such as the 'Dark Pink' variety,' Natalie adds, 'which will stay under 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide.

'Another good option is Weigela florida 'My Monet', which also has a neat, compact form and produces beautiful pink blooms,' Natalie recommends.

Dwarf weigela shrubs are available to order online from Walmart.

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FAQs

Should I repot weigela every year?

It is a good idea to repot plants every 2-3 years, to replenish nutrients in the soil and encourage plant growth. While you can repot your plants every year, it is not always necessary. I recommend removing the top inch or two of soil annually during the fall, before mixing in some good quality potting soil or mulch, which will help to keep your plants thriving and reduce the need to repot every year.

Do I need to protect weigela plants in the winter?

No, weigela plants are considered hardy down to 5°F, so in most regions, they should be able to tolerate winter weather. If you reside in an area where the temperature may drop below these levels, I suggest moving your pot to a sheltered position - such as near your home - and covering it with fleece during snowy periods.

Weigela shrubs grown in containers will add a blaze of color to your outside space this year. For more plant inspiration, see our guide on oakleaf hydrangeas, for another striking shrub to grow in your yard.