Weigela bushes, known for their beautiful blooms, can thrive in a variety of lighting conditions. While they prefer full sun, they can also tolerate partial shade. In fact, some varieties with gold, chartreuse, or purple foliage actually hold their color better when grown in full sun. On the other hand, weigelas with variegated foliage can be prone to burning if exposed to too much afternoon sun, especially in hotter climates.
Personally, I have had experience growing weigela bushes in both sun and shade conditions. In my garden, I have a few weigela varieties that are located in different areas, allowing me to observe their growth patterns and preferences.
One variety, with vibrant gold foliage, is situated in an area that receives full sun throughout the day. The plant has flourished in this location, producing an abundance of blooms and maintaining its stunning gold color. The full sun exposure seems to have provided the ideal conditions for this particular weigela variety.
In contrast, I have another weigela variety with variegated foliage that is planted in a spot with partial shade. This area receives a few hours of direct sunlight in the morning, but is shaded by nearby trees in the afternoon. Despite not being in full sun, this weigela has still produced beautiful blooms, though the variegation on its leaves is not as pronounced as in the full sun variety. it has remained healthy and has not shown any signs of burning or stress from the partial shade conditions.
To summarize, weigela bushes generally prefer full sun but can tolerate partial shade. If you have a variety with gold, chartreuse, or purple foliage, providing it with full sun exposure will help maintain its vibrant color. However, if you have a weigela with variegated foliage, it’s important to be mindful of afternoon sun in hotter climates, as it can potentially cause burning. As with any plant, it’s always a good idea to monitor their growth and make adjustments based on their specific needs and conditions.
