Coco Chill Weigela
Coco Chill Weigela
Coco Chill Weigela (Weigela florida 'Coco Chill') brings a distinctive cocoa-brown foliage tone with soft pink blooms. Whether you are adding texture to a Minneapolis border, anchoring a Plymouth foundation, or softening an Edina entry — Coco Chill gets the job done.
About Coco Chill Weigela
| Botanical Name | Weigela florida 'Coco Chill' |
| Mature Size | 2-3 ft tall × 2-3 ft wide |
| Bloom / Foliage | Soft 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 Coco Chill 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 Coco Chill 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 Cocoa-Foliage Weigela for Minnesota Borders
Compact weigela with cocoa-tinted foliage and soft pink blooms. That's why Coco Chill 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 Coco Chill 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 2-3 ft tall × 2-3 ft wide in mind — give Coco Chill 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 Coco Chill 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. Coco Chill 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 Coco Chill 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 Coco Chill Weigela hardy in Minnesota?
Yes. Coco Chill 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. Compact weigela with cocoa-tinted foliage and soft pink blooms.
How fast does Coco Chill Weigela grow?
Moderate — 12-18 inches per year. Expect mature size (2-3 ft tall × 2-3 ft wide) within 5-8 years depending on site conditions and care.
Will deer eat Coco Chill 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 Coco Chill 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 Coco Chill 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 Coco Chill 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 Coco Chill Weigela grown for our climate and delivered fresh from our Waconia, MN nursery.
How Many Coco Chill Weigela Do I Need?
For a low border or mass planting, space Coco Chill about 2.5 feet apart (mature width 2–3 ft — the mounds knit together without crowding):
| Run Length | Plants Needed (2.5 ft spacing) |
|---|---|
| 5 feet | 2 |
| 10 feet | 4 |
| 20 feet | 8 |
| 30 feet | 12 |
For a bed accent, a group of 3 in a triangle at 2.5-foot spacing makes one broad cocoa-toned drift. A single plant suits an entry pocket or container-flanked step.
Coco Chill Weigela Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: Cocoa-brown leaves emerge in May, followed in late spring by soft pink trumpet blooms that hum with early pollinators and hummingbirds.
- Summer: The unusual cocoa foliage holds its smoky tone through the heat — the shrub earns its place on leaf color even after bloom.
- Fall: Foliage stays clean and dusky into October before dropping.
- Winter: Deciduous — a compact twiggy mound under snow, fully hardy to -25°F with no protection needed.
At a Glance
✔ Pollinator-Friendly
Plant It With
- Midnight Wine Shine Weigela — a glossy burgundy mini that layers in front of Coco Chill's cocoa tones.
- Crimson Kisses Weigela — reblooming crimson trumpets to extend the weigela show all summer.
- Spilled Wine Weigela — a wider-spreading burgundy companion for a layered dark-foliage border.
- Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass — upright golden plumes that pop against the dusky foliage.
Is Coco Chill Weigela Right for Your Yard?
Coco Chill thrives in a full-sun bed (6+ hours) with decent drainage, where its cocoa foliage and pink trumpets give two layers of color in a tidy 2–3 foot frame — ideal for foundations, borders, and entries. Not a fit for real shade: with less than 6 hours of sun the foliage greens out and bloom drops off, and in heavy deer country plan on repellent while young since deer occasionally browse weigela.