Weigela Shrubs

It was only last week in my Landscaping newsletter that I was exulting over the fact that my native New England hadn't received any snow yet. Now, I feel a bit foolish: as I write this, we're in the midst of a 3-day period of almost non-stop snow. Actually, since I had made my remarks about snow in the context of discussing snow shovels, maybe I should lay claim to a bit of prescience: I've been using my shovel a lot recently! And no, I wasn't tipped off by a long range forecast: as a New Englander (where the weather is very changeable), I've learnt to pay no heed to such forecasts. The only weather I believe in is that which I see in front of me.

While shoveling today, I had plenty of time to observe the plants -- or what's left of them, anyway -- along my driveway. One thing I noticed was that, while other "deciduous" shrubs had lived up to their names, my weigela shrubs were still clinging to a few leaves. To be sure, the weigela leaves are now brown and withered; but hey, for now, I'll take what I can get. Anything to divert my thoughts away from the barren snow.

How about you? Ready to think some spring thoughts with me? Then read my article on weigela and meditate on the spring blossoms it promises. Weigela is one of those old-time favorite shrubs. Currently, it doesn't have the name recognition of lilacs, azaleas and rhododendrons, let's say. But who's to say that couldn't change? New cultivars of weigela are fueling something of a comeback for it. Considering the skills of plant breeders and the public's changeable tastes, there's really no way to tell what future trends will hold sway. Why, right now, you trend setters out there might be growing a plant that will be all the rage in a few years -- and you don't even know it!

Read article: Weigela