Weigela florida 'Plangen' (syn. 'Piccolo') PINK POPPET

Ever since we saw the very first flowers of this weigela variety it was clear that the world is about to witness a sensation. And there is more to it: this success came from our country – the Czech Republic so a dose of national pride is attached.

PINK POPPET is the name of weigela which was bred as a cross between varieties Venusta and Eva Rathke in 1991. Vojtěch Benetka and Jaroslava Dvořáková are behind this invention which was applied for a US patent in 2001. PINK POPPET weigela makes a profusion of small, funnel-shaped, clear pink flowers in two flushes from mid May until late June – the first in bare branches, the second on fully leaved plant. There is no late summer blooming though. However, the quantity of flowers in late spring makes it up for the whole season. Leaves are deciduous, elliptic with a pointed tip, fresh green with some copper or red hues.

It grows slowly into a dense, freely branched, slightly arching shrub. Pruning is usually not needed, still, you can remove the last thirds of the branches immediately after flowering in order to achieve a neatly looking plant without seedpods.

Weigelas thrive in semi-fertile, slightly moist soil, preferably in full sun. They can take heavy and compacted soil, too, but will need more time to grow nice. It is hardy to min. -29°C (USDA zone 5) and suitable for outdoor pots where constant moisture needs to be controlled, especially in late winter to prevent the roots from drying out.

Last update: 21-01-2016