Red Prince Weigela
Red Prince Weigela
Red Prince Weigela (Weigela florida 'Red Prince') gives you bright red trumpet blooms against clean green foliage — a different look from the trendy burgundy-leaf weigelas. Whether you are anchoring a Wayzata border, framing a Minnetonka patio, or designing a Plymouth pollinator garden — Red Prince gets the job done.
About Red Prince Weigela
| Botanical Name | Weigela florida 'Red Prince' |
| Mature Size | 4-5 ft tall × 4-5 ft wide |
| Bloom / Foliage | Bright red flowers in late spring with sporadic reblooming |
| 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 Red Prince 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 Red Prince 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 Bright Red Weigela for Minnesota Mixed Borders
Bright red flowers on green foliage — different look from burgundy weigelas. That's why Red Prince 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 Red Prince 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 4-5 ft tall × 4-5 ft wide in mind — give Red Prince 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 Red Prince 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. Red Prince 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 Red Prince 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 Red Prince Weigela hardy in Minnesota?
Yes. Red Prince 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. Bright red flowers on green foliage — different look from burgundy weigelas.
How fast does Red Prince Weigela grow?
Moderate — 12-18 inches per year. Expect mature size (4-5 ft tall × 4-5 ft wide) within 5-8 years depending on site conditions and care.
Will deer eat Red Prince 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 Red Prince 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 Red Prince 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 Red Prince 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 Red Prince Weigela grown for our climate and delivered fresh from our Waconia, MN nursery.
How Many Red Prince Weigela Do I Need?
At a mature spread of 4–5 ft, space Red Prince about 4 ft on center for a loose flowering hedge, or feature it as a single specimen. In a mixed border, plant in groups of 3 for the strongest bloom impact.
| Run Length | Plants Needed (4 ft spacing) |
|---|---|
| 8 ft | 2 |
| 16 ft | 4 |
| 24 ft | 6 |
| 32 ft | 8 |
Red Prince Weigela Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: Bright red trumpet flowers cover the branches in late spring, drawing hummingbirds against fresh green foliage.
- Summer: Clean green leaves form a tidy mound, with sporadic reblooming that keeps flecks of red coming through the warm months.
- Fall: Foliage fades and drops as the shrub slows and hardens off for winter.
- Winter: Deciduous and bare — a quiet season with little winter structure.
At a Glance
✔ Pollinator-Friendly ✔ Drought-Tolerant
Plant It With
- Wine & Roses Weigela — burgundy foliage that sets off Red Prince's green leaves and red blooms.
- Sonic Bloom Pink Weigela — a strong rebloomer that extends weigela color deeper into summer.
- Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass — upright vertical structure beside the mounded shrub.
- Little Bluestem — a native grass adding airy texture and fall color.
Is Red Prince Weigela Right for Your Yard?
Red Prince thrives in full sun (6+ hrs) with well-drained soil and room to reach 4–5 ft — ideal for a sunny border, foundation bed, or pollinator garden across the Twin Cities. Not a fit if your site is heavily shaded (bloom drops off) or you need winter structure, since it loses its leaves and offers little cold-season interest; in high-deer suburbs, repellent on young plants is worthwhile.