Crimson Kisses Weigela
Crimson Kisses Weigela
Crimson Kisses Weigela (Weigela florida 'Crimson Kisses') reblooms — crimson trumpet flowers in late spring and AGAIN through summer. Whether you are anchoring a Minneapolis border, brightening a Wayzata foundation, or adding bold red to a Plymouth landscape — Crimson Kisses gets the job done.
About Crimson Kisses Weigela
| Botanical Name | Weigela florida 'Crimson Kisses' |
| Mature Size | 3-4 ft tall × 3-4 ft wide |
| Bloom / Foliage | Crimson-red trumpet flowers in late spring, with re-blooming through summer |
| 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 Crimson Kisses 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 Crimson Kisses 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 Reblooming Red Weigela for Minnesota Yards
Reblooming red-flower weigela — flowers in spring AND again in summer. That's why Crimson Kisses 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 Crimson Kisses 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 3-4 ft tall × 3-4 ft wide in mind — give Crimson Kisses 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 Crimson Kisses 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. Crimson Kisses 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 Crimson Kisses 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 Crimson Kisses Weigela hardy in Minnesota?
Yes. Crimson Kisses 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. Reblooming red-flower weigela — flowers in spring AND again in summer.
How fast does Crimson Kisses Weigela grow?
Moderate — 12-18 inches per year. Expect mature size (3-4 ft tall × 3-4 ft wide) within 5-8 years depending on site conditions and care.
Will deer eat Crimson Kisses 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 Crimson Kisses 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 Crimson Kisses 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 Crimson Kisses 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 Crimson Kisses Weigela grown for our climate and delivered fresh from our Waconia, MN nursery.
How Many Crimson Kisses Weigela Do I Need?
For a low flowering border or foundation run, space plants 3 feet apart so the 3–4-foot mounds knit together:
| Run Length | Plants Needed (3 ft spacing) |
| 10 feet | 4 plants |
| 20 feet | 7 plants |
| 30 feet | 10 plants |
| 40 feet | 13–14 plants |
As an accent, plant a group of 3 spaced 3 feet apart — odd-numbered groups read as one bold crimson drift in a mixed border.
Crimson Kisses Weigela Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: Fresh foliage leafs out, then the main flush — crimson-red trumpet flowers smother the mound in late spring, drawing the first hummingbirds.
- Summer: The reblooming payoff: repeated waves of red trumpets keep coming through summer while many one-and-done shrubs sit green.
- Fall: Bloom winds down; foliage stays tidy until leaf drop. Skip pruning now — it blooms on old wood, so save shaping for right after spring bloom.
- Winter: A compact, twiggy 3–4-foot frame under the snow. Fully hardy to -25°F — just a late-October deep watering and fresh mulch see it through.
At a Glance
✔ Pollinator-Friendly
Plant It With
- Wine And Roses Weigela — burgundy foliage and rose-pink trumpets that deepen the red theme behind Crimson Kisses.
- Spilled Wine Weigela — a lower, wider dark-leaf spiller for the front edge of the same bed.
- Midnight Wine Shine Weigela — a glossy near-black dwarf that makes crimson blooms pop by contrast.
- Coco Chill Weigela — chocolate foliage at the same compact scale for a coordinated low border.
Is Crimson Kisses Weigela Right for Your Yard?
Crimson Kisses earns its spot in a full-sun bed (6+ hours) with decent drainage and room for a tidy 3–4-foot mound — ideal for foundations, borders, and pollinator gardens where you want red color twice a season instead of once. It's not a fit for shady beds (bloom drops off sharply below 6 hours of sun) or for yards with relentless deer pressure, since deer occasionally browse weigela — use repellent on young plants in Wayzata- or Stillwater-level deer country.