Weigela Wine and Roses ('Alexandra')
Words: Graham Rice
Many new weigelas have been developed in recent years so the time was just right for the RHS to run a trial. The focus on ornamental foliage reflected the fact that many newcomers have variegated and bronze leaves. What was surprising is that that only one recently introduced weigela gained an Award of Garden Merit.
Wine and Roses (‘Alexandra’) developed into a plant about 2.5m (8ft) high and wide, growing upright at first and later becoming more arching. The foliage is olive-green with a brown flush (that darkens as the season progresses), and slender bright green leaf veins. Dark red buds open in May producing bright pink flowers.
Another dark-leaved weigela that caught the attention of the panel of expert assessors was Naomi Campbell ('Bokrashine'). It is neat and bushy with dark purple-brown foliage and deep purple-red flowers. Chris Sanders, Chariman of the assessment panel, says: 'There wasn’t much to choose between Wine and Roses and Naomi Campbell (‘Bokrashine’), but the assessment panel decided that Wine and Roses had the edge in being a little more vigorous and having larger, more open blooms. The flower and leaf colour was similar between the two however flowering time of Wine and Roses was earlier (May). The other newer purple-leaved cultivars were all much less impressive than either.'
Wine and Roses was developed by Herman Geers in the Netherlands and is hybrid between ‘Victoria’ (also raised by Herman Geers), and an unnamed selection. It was also noted in the trial that the foliage of Wine and Roses was darker in colour than ‘Victoria’ and the flowers were brighter.
This is an outstanding shrub that combines richly coloured foliage with bright flowers. Regular pruning after flowering makes a fine shrub for both small and larger gardens.
Weigela Wine and Roses (‘Alexandra’) is available from garden centres and from these RHS Plantfinder nurseries.