Weigela florida 'Vinho Verde' - Weigela cultivar

Sizes available: #1 (Trade gallon)

Basics: zones 5-8, 3-5' x 3-5', full sun for best flowering, but light shade is also fine, 'Vinho Verde' flowers lightly in the late spring. Its flower is a pretty pink, but this shrub was developed for its foliage - the leaves have a lime green center and very dark purple (almost black) edges, likes it well-drained and is adaptable to soil type.

Common names: Weigela, sometimes Bush Honeysuckle (other plants go by this common name as well)

Family: Caprifoliaceae

Origin/Distribution: This is a Proven Winners cultivar. It was discovered as a variegated sport on a seedling whose parents were 'Briant's Rubridor' and "Naomi Campbell'. This is how it happens sometimes, folks. Humans love novelty.

Species are native to Korea, Japan, and northern China.

Habitat: The habitats vary depending on the species and include scrublands, forest edges, and open woodland. 

More: Weigelas are tough, adaptable shrubs. I am adding this to the nursery as part of my cut flower (in this case, cut branch) ramp-up/multiflora rose displacement program. I am going to make mixed plantings of native and non-native shrubs to provide sheltered nesting sites, and to also cut branches from for floral arrangements, as well as to displace invasives such as non-native honeysuckle and multiflora rose. Deer resistant. Occasional reversion to an all purple leaf. 

Source: Spring Meadow

Image credits: Proven Winners