Weigela plants are shrubs with beautiful red and pink flowers, and can grow to over 1.8m in height. Pruning the Weigela helps maintain its appearance, allows it to grow healthily and increases its flowering. If you follow the right instructions on when to prune this plant, you can help it grow strong and healthy!
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Cut the Branches
Step 1. Cut off 2 or 3 secondary stems near the base of mature plants
Cutting off the secondary stems will allow you to have a bushier Weigela plant. Locate 2 or 3 branches that grow further out than the main stem and use a manual pruning saw to cut the chosen stems, maintaining an upward inclination of 45 degrees. Cut as close to the base as possible.
This will allow the plant to invest its energy in the growth of the main stem and new flowers, which will be more resistant
Step 2. Cut off the top of the pods from the branches
The pods are left after the flowers bloom and fall to the ground. They resemble buds on the top of Weigela branches. Use a pair of shears to cut off the top, right above a bud hanging on the lower branch.
- Do not cut more than half of the total length of the branches.
- Make a straight cut, right above a branch with a bud.
- Cutting away the old buds will help to grow new and more resistant ones, which will give more robust flowers the following year.
Step 3. Remove dead or diseased branches
Check for greyish or brown branches that feel fragile or hollow to the touch. Diseased branches may also have spots or mold. Cut these branches away from the base of the main stem, again at a 45-degree angle, to make room for the branches to grow and prevent potential disease for nearby branches.
If the branch in the middle is brown or gray, it means it is dead
Step 4. Cut off any branches that are too thin
If a branch looks weakened and thinned to you, it is very likely that it will never have a chance to make its own buds bloom. Remove these branches from the main stem to allow the plant to grow better elsewhere.
Instead, leave more robust branches that have only a few small branches and are able to make their own buds bloom
Step 5. Cut the branches that rub against the main stem
You should cut those branches that rub against the main stem or that go to the other side, because they could damage the plant. Use a pair of hand shears and cut the branches at the base of the main stem.
Step 6. Prune ⅓ of the plant in several seasons to allow it to revive
Do rejuvenation pruning if you want to keep your Weigela plant beautiful. Prune all the branches up to ⅓ of the plant each season until the shrub is 10-25 cm high and there are only new branches that need to grow. This is a great way to liven up your plant without having to buy a new one.
The ideal would be to carry out rejuvenation pruning at the end of winter
Method 2 of 2: Follow the Instructions for Pruning the Weigela
Step 1. Prune your Weigela plant in early spring
Prune the plant once the winter frosts are over, in early spring. You can decide to do the pruning before the Weigela blooms, to ensure that it produces even more flowers in the same year, or you can prune it after flowering to ensure a better one the following year.
Weigela should not be pruned after mid-July
Step 2. Never prune more than ⅓ of a plant at a time
Excessive pruning of your plant can weaken it or even kill it. Never remove more than ⅓ of the plant in a single season.
If you need to cut a lot of regrowth, do it gradually over the course of several seasons
Step 3. Prune the Weigela once a year
Weigela is prone to grow thin and weak branches with many sub-branches, which, however, can distract attention from the beauty of this plant's flowers. To prevent these branches from taking over your plant, you should prune it once a year.
Step 4. Use pruning shears, sharp and sterilized
The shears will help not to damage the plant. Clean them with a little disinfectant alcohol after each cut, to prevent the transmission of diseases to other plants.
If your shears damage the branches by breaking or bending them instead of cutting them, purchase a new pair
Step 5. Prune branches over a bud to control the direction of growth
An upward facing bud will continue to grow outward and upward, while a downward facing bud will grow in that direction. Cutting the branch immediately above a bud will allow you to control which direction it will grow. If you are pruning to maintain the appearance of your Weigela plant, keep this in mind.
Advice
- Make sure you clean and disinfect your cutting tools using isopropyl alcohol before and after each use.
- Invest in a good pair of gardening gloves to wear when pruning. This will protect your hands and improve your grip.
