Tango Weigela
Tango Weigela
Tango Weigela (Weigela florida 'Tango') brings deep burgundy foliage and trumpet-shaped red flowers to a tough zone 4 shrub. Whether you are adding color to a Minneapolis border, anchoring a Plymouth foundation, or building a contemporary Edina pollinator garden — Tango gets the job done.
About Tango Weigela
| Botanical Name | Weigela florida 'Tango' |
| Mature Size | 2-3 ft tall × 2-3 ft wide |
| Bloom / Foliage | Trumpet-shaped red flowers in late spring against burgundy-purple foliage |
| 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 Tango 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 Tango 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 Compact Burgundy Weigela for Minnesota Borders
Compact burgundy-foliage weigela with red blooms — three-season visual interest. That's why Tango 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 Tango 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 Tango 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 Tango 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. Tango 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 Tango 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 Tango Weigela hardy in Minnesota?
Yes. Tango 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 burgundy-foliage weigela with red blooms — three-season visual interest.
How fast does Tango 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 Tango 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 Tango 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 Tango 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 Tango 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 Tango Weigela grown for our climate and delivered fresh from our Waconia, MN nursery.
How Many Tango Weigela Do I Need?
Tango is compact at 2–3 feet wide, so space plants about 3 feet apart for a low color band along a bed edge.
| Run Length | Plants Needed (3 ft spacing) |
| 10 ft | 4 |
| 20 ft | 7 |
| 30 ft | 11 |
| 40 ft | 14 |
For the best impact in a border, plant in a drift of 3–5 spaced about 3 feet apart.
Tango Weigela Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: Trumpet-shaped red flowers open against burgundy-purple foliage, drawing hummingbirds and butterflies.
- Summer: Deep burgundy foliage holds its color in full sun, with occasional rebloom.
- Fall: The dark foliage carries late-season color before leaf drop.
- Winter: Deciduous — a compact twiggy framework remains (it blooms on old wood, so prune only after spring flowering).
At a Glance
✔ Pollinator-Friendly ✔ Drought-Tolerant
Plant It With
- Spilled Wine Weigela — a low burgundy weigela with hot-pink bloom for a layered color band.
- Sonic Bloom Pink Weigela — a taller reblooming weigela for height behind Tango.
- My Monet Weigela — a dwarf variegated weigela for a bright front-edge contrast.
- Wine & Roses Weigela — dark foliage and rosy bloom to scale the planting up.
Is Tango Weigela Right for Your Yard?
Tango is a great fit for full sun and average to well-drained soil at the front of a border or foundation bed, where its red blooms and burgundy leaves feed pollinators and hold color all season in a tidy 2–3 ft mound. It's not the best fit for deep shade, which weakens bloom and foliage color, or for high-deer-pressure yards without protection, since deer browse it only moderately.