Weigela floribunda ("Yabutsugi")

Japanese name: ヤブウツギ （薮空木）
Scientific name: Weigela floribunda

[Overview]
A deciduous shrub found in low mountains on the Pacific side.
Young branches have spreading hairs.
Leaves are simple, opposite and elliptic, with hairs on both surfaces, especially many spreading hairs on the veins of the underside.
The leaf margins are serrated.
The leaf stalk is short, 0.2–0.5 cm long, with spreading hairs.
Corymbs arise from the leaf axils and branch tips, each bearing 2–3 flowers.
The flowers are deep purplish red from the start of blooming.
The corolla is funnel-shaped, 2.5–4 cm long, with 5 lobes at the tip and spreading hairs on the outside.
There are 5 stamens.
The fruit is a slender cylindrical capsule 1.7–2.5 cm long with spreading hairs; when ripe it splits in two, leaving the tip and the central axis, and releases fine seeds.

[Cultivation]
Propagate by cuttings, which multiply it easily.
While the plant is young, division is also possible.
In a sunny place it grows well regardless of soil type, as long as the site is not excessively wet.
For potted plants, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries; for plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
Apply organic fertilizer in winter.
It grows fast and becomes bushy if left alone, so thin out overly long shoots and crowded branches during the leafless season.
Powdery mildew can occur.

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