Spilled Wine Weigela

Spilled Wine Weigela (Weigela florida 'Bokraspiwi')

Spilled Wine Weigela delivers rich, dark foliage and bright bloom color in a compact shrub that fits easily into everyday landscapes. The deep purple leaves create strong contrast from spring through fall, so nearby greens and lighter flowers look sharper and more intentional. Hot pink blooms add a lively seasonal punch and help bring pollinators closer to patios and walkways. If you want bold color without a large, sprawling shrub, this plant is built for that job.

Distinctive Features

This deciduous weigela is prized for its dramatic, wine-dark foliage that holds color well through the growing season. In late spring, bright pink, trumpet-shaped flowers open along the stems and often continue in repeat waves through summer under good conditions. The plant naturally grows wider than tall, forming a dense, mounded shape that looks full at the front of a border. Flowers are attractive to hummingbirds and other pollinators when in bloom.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun is best for the darkest foliage and strongest flowering, with light shade tolerated.
• Soil: Average, well-drained soil is ideal, and it performs best where water does not sit around the roots.
• Water: Water regularly during establishment, then provide moderate moisture with deep watering during extended dry periods.
• USDA Zones: Grows well in zones 4 to 8.
• Mature Size: Typically reaches about 2 to 3 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide.
• Habit: Low, mounded, and spreading, often wider than tall.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Use the dark foliage and hot pink bloom as a focal point near an entry, patio, or front bed where contrast matters most.
• Border Front: Plant along the front of mixed borders to create a clean band of dark color without blocking sightlines.
• Foundation Planting: Place it under windows or along a facade to add color and structure in a compact footprint.
• Mass Planting: Group several plants to create a unified sweep of dark foliage with a bold pink bloom season.
• Containers: Grow in a large container to bring high-contrast color to decks, steps, and small outdoor spaces.

Low Maintenance Care

• Pruning: Prune right after the main bloom to shape the plant and avoid removing next season's flower buds.
• Watering: Keep soil evenly moist the first growing season, then water when the top few inches of soil feels dry.
• Mulching: Mulch the root zone to conserve moisture and reduce weeds, keeping mulch a few inches away from stems.
• Feeding: Apply compost or a balanced fertilizer in early spring to support healthy growth and flowering.
• Renewal: Every few years, remove a few older stems near the base after flowering to maintain vigor and density.

Why Choose Spilled Wine Weigela?

• Dark Foliage Impact: Deep purple leaves add season-long contrast that makes the whole planting look more designed.
• Bright Bloom Color: Hot pink flowers create a crisp, high-contrast display against the foliage.
• Compact Form: A lower, wider habit fits smaller beds and tight border lines without constant control.
• Pollinator Appeal: Tubular blooms help attract hummingbirds and other pollinators during flowering.
• Deer Resistance: Often shows good resistance to deer, though browsing can still occur where pressure is high.

Spilled Wine Weigela is an easy way to add strong contrast and long-lasting garden interest with minimal fuss. Give it sun, reliable drainage, and a quick post-bloom trim, and it will stay dense and attractive year after year. Pair it with evergreens, ornamental grasses, or lighter foliage plants to make the dark leaves and pink blooms stand out even more.