Wine & Spirits Weigela
Wine & Spirits Weigela
Deep Burgundy Foliage and Soft Pink Flowers
Wine & Spirits Weigela (Weigela florida 'Wine & Spirits') offers season-long color with rich, deep burgundy-purple foliage that holds well through summer, set off in late spring by soft pink trumpet flowers. The dark leaves make a dramatic foil for greens and golds, while the nectar-rich blooms draw hummingbirds and butterflies. Compact, deer-resistant, and easy, it's a striking pick for sunny Eden Prairie, Plymouth, and Eagan borders.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Weigela florida 'Wine & Spirits' |
| Mature Size | 2.5–3.5 ft tall and wide |
| Hardiness Zone | Zone 4–8 (hardy across most of Minnesota) |
| Light | Full sun (best foliage color); tolerates part shade |
| Bloom Time | Late spring |
| Flower Color | Soft pink over burgundy foliage |
| Soil | Average, well-drained |
Landscape Uses
Use Wine & Spirits as a dark-foliage accent in foundation plantings, mixed and pollinator borders, and mass plantings. The burgundy leaves contrast beautifully with chartreuse and green companions, and the flowers draw hummingbirds.
Best Time to Plant
Plant in spring or early fall, when cooler weather and steady moisture help roots establish.
How to Plant
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Set the crown level with the soil, backfill, water in well, and mulch 2–3 inches deep, keeping mulch off the stems. Full sun keeps the foliage darkest.
Watering
First Year: Water deeply 1–2 times per week to establish the roots.
After Year One: Water during dry spells; it's moderately drought tolerant once established.
Drip Irrigation: A drip line provides efficient, even moisture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the foliage stay dark all season?
Yes, the deep burgundy holds well through summer, especially in full sun.
Does it attract hummingbirds?
Yes, the tubular pink flowers are a hummingbird favorite.
Is it hardy in Minnesota?
Yes, hardy to Zone 4 and reliable across most of the state.
Is it deer resistant?
Yes, weigela is generally avoided by deer.
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Pair Wine & Spirits with green and gold shrubs and our other weigelas for a high-contrast, hummingbird-friendly border.
How Many Wine & Spirits Weigela Do I Need?
This compact weigela matures around 2.5–3.5 ft wide. For a low burgundy band or mass planting, space plants about 3 ft on center:
| Border Run | Plants Needed (3 ft spacing) |
|---|---|
| 10 ft | 4 |
| 20 ft | 7 |
| 30 ft | 11 |
| 40 ft | 14 |
For the strongest dark-foliage statement, plant in drifts of 3–5 about 3 ft apart so the burgundy reads as one bold mass.
Wine & Spirits Weigela Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: Burgundy-purple foliage emerges, then soft pink trumpet flowers open in late spring — a hummingbird and butterfly magnet.
- Summer: The deep burgundy leaves hold their color through the heat in full sun, making a dramatic foil for greens and golds.
- Fall: Foliage deepens further before dropping; you may get a light scattering of rebloom.
- Winter: Deciduous — a low twiggy framework that disappears under snow and leafs back out dark in spring.
At a Glance
✔ Pollinator-Friendly ✔ Deer-Resistant ✔ Drought-Tolerant
Plant It With
- Wine & Roses Weigela — a taller burgundy-leaved weigela to layer the same dark color behind this compact one.
- Spilled Wine Weigela — a low, spreading burgundy weigela that echoes the foliage at ground level.
- My Monet Weigela — a dwarf variegated weigela for bright contrast against the burgundy.
- Sonic Bloom Pink Weigela — a reblooming pink weigela that keeps hummingbird flowers coming all summer.
Is Wine & Spirits Weigela Right for Your Yard?
Wine & Spirits is ideal for a sunny foundation bed, border front, or mass planting where you want season-long dark foliage and hummingbird flowers on an easy, deer-resistant, drought-tolerant shrub. It's not the best fit for shady beds — the burgundy fades toward green and bloom thins without full sun — or for soggy ground, since it prefers average, well-drained soil.