Weigela japonica
a perennial woody deciduous member of the Weigela genus in the family Caprifoliaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Caprifoliaceae
- Genus
- Weigela
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- deciduous
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 5 m
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The leaves are slightly toxic[2].
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Salve. Used as a wash for virulent sores[2].
- Product or use
- Salve
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Plants can be grown as a hedge[2].
Ecology and functions
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - C. and S. Japan.
- Habitat
- A rare plant, grwing on sunny hills and in mountains at elevations of 100 - 1800 metres[5].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 6+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe if this is possible, otherwise in late winter or early spring. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer. Softwood basal cuttings, 10 - 12cm long, in a sandy soil in a cold frame in early summer[4]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 8 - 10 cm with a heel, July/August in a frame[4]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current seasons growth. 20 cm long, November in a sheltered outdoor nursery bed[4].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
An easily grown plant, succeeding in most fertile soils[1][4]. Prefers a moist well-drained soil in sun or partial shade[4]. Tolerates atmospheric pollution[4]. Plants are very floriferous and can exhaust themselves, literally flowering themselves to death. The flowers are borne in the leaf nodes of the previous years growth and any pruning is therefore best done as soon as the plant has finished flowering[3]. There are some named forms selected for their ornamental value[4]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[4].
References
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre
Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Flora of Japan www.foj.info