Spilled Wine Weigela
Spilled Wine Weigela
Spilled Wine Weigela (Weigela florida 'Spilled Wine') has a wider spreading habit than most weigelas — burgundy foliage, hot pink blooms, perfect front-of-border accent. Whether you are softening an Edina foundation, brightening a St. Paul border, or framing a Plymouth walkway — Spilled Wine gets the job done.
About Spilled Wine Weigela
| Botanical Name | Weigela florida 'Spilled Wine' |
| Mature Size | 2-3 ft tall × 3 ft wide |
| Bloom / Foliage | Hot 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 Spilled Wine 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 Spilled Wine 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 Wide Burgundy Weigela for Minnesota Foundation Beds
Wide-spreading low burgundy weigela with hot pink blooms. That's why Spilled Wine 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 Spilled Wine 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 × 3 ft wide in mind — give Spilled Wine 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 Spilled Wine 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. Spilled Wine 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 Spilled Wine 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 Spilled Wine Weigela hardy in Minnesota?
Yes. Spilled Wine 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. Wide-spreading low burgundy weigela with hot pink blooms.
How fast does Spilled Wine Weigela grow?
Moderate — 12-18 inches per year. Expect mature size (2-3 ft tall × 3 ft wide) within 5-8 years depending on site conditions and care.
Will deer eat Spilled Wine 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 Spilled Wine 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 Spilled Wine 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 Spilled Wine 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 Spilled Wine Weigela grown for our climate and delivered fresh from our Waconia, MN nursery.
How Many Spilled Wine Weigela Do I Need?
Spilled Wine is a wide, low grower — about 2–3 ft tall and 3 ft across — so space plants 3 feet on center for a continuous low burgundy band along a foundation or walkway. For an accent, a drift of 3 set 3 feet apart reads as one bold sweep of color.
| Bed Run | Plants Needed (3 ft spacing) |
|---|---|
| 10 ft | 4 |
| 20 ft | 7 |
| 30 ft | 11 |
| 40 ft | 14 |
Spilled Wine Weigela Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: Hot-pink trumpet flowers cover the wine-dark new foliage, drawing hummingbirds and butterflies.
- Summer: Deep burgundy leaves hold their color all season; scattered reblooming flowers continue in flushes.
- Fall: Foliage stays richly colored late into the season before dropping.
- Winter: Deciduous and bare; a low, wide-spreading frame at the front of the bed.
At a Glance
✔ Pollinator-Friendly ✔ Drought-Tolerant
Plant It With
- Wine & Roses Weigela — a taller burgundy weigela that echoes the leaf color toward the back of the bed.
- Sonic Bloom Pink Weigela — a heavy rebloomer for a longer pink show alongside it.
- My Monet Weigela — a dwarf variegated weigela for a soft front-of-border contrast.
- Shining Sensation Weigela — glossy purple-bronze foliage that complements the burgundy theme.
Is Spilled Wine Weigela Right for Your Yard?
Spilled Wine is at its best in full sun, where the foliage stays darkest and bloom is heaviest, in average well-drained soil — and it tolerates Minnesota clay-loam once established. Its low, wide habit makes it ideal for the front of a foundation bed or along a walkway. Not a fit if you have deep shade (color and flowering fade) or a constantly wet, poorly drained spot.