Pruning Weigela

Weigela flowers on wood produced the previous year, so timing is critical. Prune in March or April, immediately after the main flush of late-spring and early-summer blooms has finished. Pruning too late in summer or during autumn removes the following year's flowering wood and significantly reduces the display. Use clean, sharp secateurs for stems up to pencil thickness and loppers or a pruning saw for older, thicker branches. Start by removing any dead, damaged, or crossing stems to open up the centre of the shrub and improve air circulation. Then cut back around one-third of the oldest stems right down to ground level or to a strong low side shoot. This encourages vigorous new growth from the base and prevents the shrub becoming congested and bare at the bottom. Shorten the remaining flowered stems by about one-third, cutting just above an outward-facing bud or healthy side shoot. Avoid shearing the whole plant into a formal shape, as this removes the natural arching habit and much of the flowering wood. If your weigela has become overgrown or neglected, you can renovate it by cutting all stems back hard to 30–50 cm above ground level in March. The shrub will usually recover within two seasons, though you'll sacrifice one year's flowers. After pruning, clear away all clippings and apply a balanced fertiliser and fresh mulch to support the new growth.