Midnight Wine Shine Weigela
Midnight Wine Shine Weigela
Midnight Wine Shine Weigela (Weigela florida 'Midnight Wine Shine') is a true mini — under 2 feet tall, glossy burgundy leaves, pink blooms. Whether you are tucking into an Edina foundation gap, edging a Minneapolis walkway, or container-planting on a St. Paul patio — Midnight Wine Shine gets the job done.
About Midnight Wine Shine Weigela
| Botanical Name | Weigela florida 'Midnight Wine Shine' |
| Mature Size | 1-2 ft tall × 2 ft wide |
| Bloom / Foliage | Pink flowers in late spring |
| Sun Requirements | Full sun (6+ hrs) for best bloom and foliage color. Tolerates light afternoon shade. |
| Water Needs | Moderate. Drought-tolerant once established. |
| Soil | Tolerates Minnesota clay-loam. Prefers well-drained soils. |
| Hardiness Zones | 4-8 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a). Reliable to -25°F. |
| Deer Resistance | Moderately deer-resistant — deer occasionally browse |
| Foliage | Deciduous — green, burgundy, gold, or variegated leaves depending on cultivar |
| Growth Rate | Moderate — 12-18 inches per year |
Why You'll Love Midnight Wine Shine Weigela
Spring + summer color
Weigela delivers an exceptional spring flower show with trumpet-shaped pink, red, or white blooms — and many varieties rebloom through summer. Pairs beautifully with native perennials in a Twin Cities Twin Cities garden.
Foliage interest
Many cultivars feature dark burgundy, gold, or variegated leaves that hold color all summer. A burgundy weigela like Midnight Wine Shine Weigela pairs gorgeously against silver Russian sage or chartreuse hostas.
Pollinator gardens
Hummingbirds and butterflies adore weigela blooms. Critical mid-summer nectar source for Minnesota pollinator habitat.
A Mini Glossy-Leaf Weigela for Tight Minnesota Spaces
Smallest burgundy weigela with glossy leaves — fits tight residential spaces. That's why Midnight Wine Shine Weigela has earned a spot in our Minnesota launch catalog — it's a weigela we're confident will thrive in your Twin Cities landscape.
Planting Midnight Wine Shine Weigela in the Twin Cities
Best planting window: Spring (mid-April through early June) or early fall (late August through late September). Avoid planting during peak summer heat — Twin Cities heat waves can stress newly installed root balls.
Site selection: Full sun (6+ hrs) for best bloom and foliage color. Tolerates light afternoon shade. Choose a location with the mature size of 1-2 ft tall × 2 ft wide in mind — give Midnight Wine Shine Weigela room to fill out without crowding fences, sidewalks, or neighboring plants.
Soil prep: Tolerates Minnesota clay-loam. Prefers well-drained soils. If your Twin Cities yard has heavy clay (common in Plymouth, Eden Prairie, and Wayzata), amend the planting hole with 25-30% compost to improve drainage. For sandy soils in parts of Anoka and Washington counties, mix in compost to improve water retention.
How to plant:
- Dig a hole 2× the width of the root ball and the same depth.
- Loosen the sides of the hole — slick clay walls block root expansion.
- Set Midnight Wine Shine Weigela so the top of the root ball is 1-2" above grade.
- Backfill with native soil mixed 25% with compost. Tamp gently.
- Water deeply (5+ gallons) immediately after planting.
- Mulch 2-3" deep, keeping mulch 2" away from the stem.
Watering & Care
First year (establishment): Water deeply 1-2× per week from April through October. Midnight Wine Shine Weigela needs consistent moisture to develop a strong root system for its first Minnesota winter. Check soil moisture 4-6" deep — water when the top 2-3" feels dry.
Established (year 2+): Moderate. Drought-tolerant once established. During typical Twin Cities summers, supplemental water during 2+ week dry spells is enough.
Winter prep: Water deeply in late October before ground freeze — this protects Midnight Wine Shine Weigela through dry winter winds. Apply a fresh 2-3" layer of mulch in November to insulate the root zone through deep freezes.
Pruning: Prune lightly after spring bloom — weigela blooms on old wood. Hard pruning every few years rejuvenates the plant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Midnight Wine Shine Weigela hardy in Minnesota?
Yes. Midnight Wine Shine Weigela is rated for zones 4-8 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a) — the Twin Cities metro is zone 4b–5a, well within its hardiness range. Smallest burgundy weigela with glossy leaves — fits tight residential spaces.
How fast does Midnight Wine Shine Weigela grow?
Moderate — 12-18 inches per year. Expect mature size (1-2 ft tall × 2 ft wide) within 5-8 years depending on site conditions and care.
Will deer eat Midnight Wine Shine Weigela?
Moderately deer-resistant — deer occasionally browse. In high-deer-pressure suburbs (Wayzata, Stillwater, Hudson), supplemental fencing or repellents may help young plants establish.
Can I plant Midnight Wine Shine Weigela in part shade?
Full sun (6+ hrs) for best bloom and foliage color. Tolerates light afternoon shade.
What size gallon should I buy?
We typically offer Midnight Wine Shine Weigela in #2, #5, #10, and sometimes larger gallon sizes. Smaller sizes establish faster and cost less; larger sizes give instant impact. For most Twin Cities residential landscapes, #5 or #10 gallon is the sweet spot.
Where We Deliver
Three Timbers Minnesota delivers and installs Midnight Wine Shine Weigela across the Twin Cities metro — Minneapolis, St. Paul, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Edina, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Wayzata, Bloomington, Apple Valley, Burnsville, Lakeville, Eagan, Roseville, Shoreview, Stillwater, Woodbury, Hudson, Hopkins, St. Louis Park, Chanhassen, Excelsior, Victoria, Chaska, and surrounding communities. Live Midnight Wine Shine Weigela grown for our climate and delivered fresh from our Waconia, MN nursery.
How Many Midnight Wine Shine Weigela Do I Need?
For walkway edging or a front-of-bed ribbon, space plants about 18 inches apart (mature width is about 2 feet):
| Run Length | Plants Needed |
|---|---|
| 5 ft | 4 plants |
| 10 ft | 7 plants |
| 20 ft | 14 plants |
| 30 ft | 21 plants |
As a true mini, it also works as a single in a patio container or a 2-foot foundation gap, or in drifts of 3–5 for a glossy burgundy band.
Midnight Wine Shine Weigela Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: Glossy burgundy leaves emerge first, then pink trumpet flowers open in late spring on last year's wood — so save any shaping until right after bloom.
- Summer: The polished, dark foliage holds its color through heat, doing the work of a flowering plant even between blooms while hummingbirds and butterflies visit.
- Fall: Burgundy foliage carries to frost. Give it a deep late-October watering before the ground freezes.
- Winter: A tidy, low twiggy mound under the snow — reliable to -25°F with a 2–3 inch mulch blanket over the roots.
At a Glance
✔ Pollinator-Friendly ✔ Drought-Tolerant
Plant It With
- Midnight Sun Weigela — a fellow dwarf whose gold-and-fire variegation glows against this one's dark gloss.
- Spilled Wine Weigela — the wider-spreading burgundy cousin for the layer just behind.
- Very Fine Wine Weigela — finer-textured burgundy foliage to extend the wine-dark theme down a border.
- Green Velvet Boxwood — a crisp evergreen counterpoint that keeps the bed structured in winter.
Is Midnight Wine Shine Weigela Right for Your Yard?
If you need real color in a tight spot — a foundation gap, walkway edge, or container — this under-2-foot weigela delivers glossy burgundy leaves all season, pink late-spring trumpets for hummingbirds, and drought tolerance once established. It's not a fit for shady beds, where bloom and leaf color fade, and in high-deer suburbs young plants may need repellent while they establish.