Pruning weigelas isn’t rocket science, but it’s definitely one of those chores you shouldn’t skip if you want your garden to stay vibrant. Regular trimming keeps these shrubs happy and full of flowers. Today, I’m going to use the popular ‘Bristol Ruby’ variety to show you exactly how to prune your weigela and what to keep in mind while you’re at it.
Why do weigelas need a haircut?
If you let your weigela go too long without a trim, it’ll eventually stop blooming and start looking like a bunch of old, woody sticks. In the gardening world, we call this “senescence” or aging out. Even if you’re nailing the fertilizer routine and picked the perfect sunny spot, those things won’t stop the plant from getting leggy and unproductive over time—only your shears can do that!
How to prune a ‘Bristol Ruby’ weigela
Pruning a ‘Bristol Ruby’ is pretty similar to most other weigelas. The main difference? This beauty can reach up to 10 feet tall, so it takes a bit more elbow grease than the dwarf varieties. We generally break the job down into three types:
- Initial planting and structural cuts
- Maintenance pruning
- Shaping
Pruning a new ‘Bristol Ruby’
I know it’s hard to cut back a brand-new plant, but trust me on this: right after planting, you should trim the shoots back by about a third. This encourages the shrub to branch out and get nice and bushy. During the second and third years, keep up with structural pruning to ensure your shrub grows strong and sturdy.
Maintenance pruning for ‘Bristol Ruby’
Once your plant has been established for about four years, start doing a regular maintenance check in late winter. Snip off any dead wood and remove branches that are crossing or rubbing against each other. This keeps the plant “young” and allows light to reach the center.
Shaping your ‘Bristol Ruby’
While you don’t *have* to shape your weigela, doing so right after the main blooming season can actually encourage a second flush of flowers in the fall. Just tidy up the spent flower shoots to keep things looking neat. Keep in mind that if you’re doing this during the summer, you should stick to light trimming rather than a heavy hack-back to stay mindful of local nesting birds and garden wildlife. You can also do a final shaping after that second fall bloom to keep the growth looking sharp.
Can I save an old, overgrown ‘Bristol Ruby’?
Absolutely! If your weigela has become a woody mess, a radical “rejuvenation prune” can bring it back to life. By cutting it way back, you trigger the plant to send out fresh new shoots. Just a heads-up: you won’t see flowers again until the following spring (two seasons away). The best time for this “tough love” approach is between November and February. Simply cut the entire ‘Bristol Ruby’ back to about knee height, and watch it start over!
