Weigela florida ‘Wings of Fire’ – A Foliage Masterpiece with Fiery Seasonal Colour
Weigela florida ‘Wings of Fire’ is a stunning deciduous shrub grown primarily for its spectacular foliage, which changes throughout the seasons. Starting the year with rich green leaves, the plant transforms in summer to deep burgundy and red hues, finishing the season with a fiery blaze of crimson and scarlet tones in autumn. Unlike many Weigelas that are prized for flowers, ‘Wings of Fire’ is all about dramatic leaf colour. It’s a perfect choice for gardeners seeking long-season interest, easy care, and a bold focal point in borders, low hedges, or containers.
Why Grow Weigela florida ‘Wings of Fire’?
Ever-Changing Foliage – The real star feature is its multi-season leaf colour. The foliage starts green, turns bronze to red-purple in summer, and ends with a vivid scarlet-red autumn display.
Compact and Bushy Habit – With its neat, upright shape, this variety fits well into smaller borders, urban gardens, or as part of a colour-themed planting scheme.
Low Maintenance – Hardy, resilient, and easy to grow, it requires little attention beyond light pruning and occasional feeding.
Pollinator Friendly – Although not primarily grown for flowers, small pink blooms may still appear in late spring to early summer, offering extra seasonal interest and food for bees.
Great Contrast Plant – Its fiery tones stand out dramatically against greens, silvers, or pale-flowering plants, bringing energy to any garden design.
Height of Plant
Weigela florida ‘Wings of Fire’ typically grows to a height of 1–1.2 meters and spreads to about 1–1.5 meters, forming a dense, rounded shrub ideal for mid-border placement or stand-alone feature planting.
Where to Site Your Weigela florida ‘Wings of Fire’
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Mixed shrub borders, where it can contribute rich seasonal colour.
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Small gardens or urban courtyards, offering high impact in limited space.
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Containers, for patios or balconies where its foliage can be appreciated up close.
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Autumn colour displays, where its changing leaves offer a fiery finish to the growing season.
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Low hedging, to bring colour and structure without heavy maintenance.
How to Grow and Care for Your Weigela florida ‘Wings of Fire’
Soil – Prefers well-drained, moderately fertile soil but tolerates a wide range of conditions including clay and loam.
Light – Grows best in full sun to partial shade. Full sun brings out the deepest foliage colours and best overall form.
Watering – Water regularly during the first season. Once established, it is fairly drought-tolerant, though flowering and leaf colour are better with consistent moisture.
Maintenance:
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Pruning – Lightly prune after flowering to shape the plant and remove old wood. If grown for foliage, minimal pruning is needed.
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Feeding – Apply a balanced fertiliser in early spring to support growth and leaf development.
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Mulching – Mulch annually to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
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Pest & Disease Resistance – Generally pest-free and disease-resistant, making it an easy-care choice.
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Cold Hardy – Fully hardy in temperate climates and handles winter frosts well.
Perfect Plant Combinations
Weigela ‘Wings of Fire’ pairs beautifully with plants that contrast its leaf tones, such as silver-leaved perennials (e.g. Artemisia, Stachys) or grasses like Pennisetum and Carex. In autumn displays, it works well with Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’, Japanese anemones, or Heuchera for a layered, vibrant look.
In containers, combine with evergreens or compact conifers to create a year-round focal point with autumn flare.
With its striking seasonal foliage, compact size, and easy-care nature, Weigela florida ‘Wings of Fire’ is a standout choice for gardeners seeking visual drama without the fuss. Perfect for containers, small gardens, or bold mixed borders, it delivers colour from spring through autumn.
Does the height include the pot?
No, we measure from the top of the pot to the tip of the plant except for some of the instant planted screens, in this case it will be stated in the description
How long does delivery take?
Most orders are delivered in just a few days, Smaller items are often sent with Parcelforce on a next day service, Larger items should allow up to 10 days due to the size of the items they often have to be sent on our own transport.
Where will you leave my plants?
We will leave your order at the front of your property, Parcelforce may
leave your items in a safe place if you let us know, Pallet couriers
will require a flat hard surface to deliver to, no gravel or soil, a
driveway or parking spot would be best. Most importantly Deliveries by
pallet courier will require access for a large truck (bin lorry sized)
to get near the delivery point. Deliveries sent on our own transport may come in a small van or larger truck.
