Growing guide · Shrubs

Weigela florida 'Dark Horse'

How to grow Weigela 'Dark Horse'.

Small, dark, and showy in spring.

Light
Full sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
4–8
Size
2–3 ft tall and wide
Spacing
2–3 ft apart.
Pets
Not on the ASPCA pet-safe list; keep it out of reach
Compact shrub with dark purple leaves and clusters of pink trumpet flowers

Light

Full sun for the darkest leaves and the most flowers.

Water

Water weekly the first summer. Established plants handle dry spells.

Planting and soil

Plant in spring or fall, crown at soil level.

Feeding

A balanced slow-release feed in spring.

Pruning

Shape lightly right after bloom. Remove dead twigs in spring.

Through the year

Dark leaves in spring. Flowers in May and June. Foliage holds color through fall.

If something's off

Leaves green up in shade. Tip dieback after a hard winter; trim to live wood in spring.

Plays well with

Plant it with friends.

Japanese Spirea Double Play® Gold
Spiraea japonicaJapanese Spirea Double Play® Gold from $62.99
Catmint 'Purrsian Blue'
Nepeta × faasseniiCatmint 'Purrsian Blue' from $30.99
Fountain Grass 'Hameln'
Pennisetum alopecuroidesFountain Grass 'Hameln' from $31.99

Why we stock it: Dark leaves all season and a big spring show from a shrub that fits small spaces.

That's everything we know about growing it. Thanks for reading.

Know someone with the right spot? Send them this.

The Sunday Tip · every Sunday

One good plant idea,
every Sunday.

What to plant this week in your zone, every Sunday. New ways to plant and odd tricks that actually work.