I also read somewhere ===>>> ya know.. this is right up there with 'un-named sources' ... lol PM is not an issue of rain .. as much as lack of air movement on warm nights.. when the foliage goes into the dark, dank night already wetted .. these are the conditions that increase PM ... not rain .. or wet soil ..per se ... i am impressed with your drive.. and your quest for knowledge.. and i encourage it.. but i fear you get to wrapped up in all the 'potential' problems.. that may never happen ... you said: I just don't want to plant something that I will regret later. ===>>> and i might suggest that you will end up with a selection of the most boring plants known to gardeners.. on the simple fact that you fear every 'possibility' of what might happen ... ID something you cannot live without.. and makes your toes curl.. and plant it ... and IF... key word 'IF" problems happen .. then deal with it then .. but dont end up with a bunch of boring plants.. that are bullet proof to every know 'possible' problem ... also.. in my world.. i go small.. so it costs substantailly less money for the plant.. so that if i ever have to cross the road of removal ... it doesnt hurt as bad ... in other words.. i will pay $20 and kill it in 5 years.. if it bugs me... rather than spend $250 for a large specimen.. and then never have the ability to kill it.. due to the excessive investment ... [and i could have 12 plants for the same $250 investment.. and if two become problems.. i am still 10 plants ahead ... i have spread the risk over more plants] ... and that is a long story to say that instant gratification might be why you fear failure ... good luck on your quest ... i am impressed with your research ... ken

I planted one last year and the rabbits enjoyed the lower half. This year I do have flowers, but it is not covered in blooms. Maybe it needs a few growing seasons to become more established. That seems to be the case with many shrubs and trees I have planted. The first year they sleep, second year they creep, the third year they leap - has been true with most of my shrubs and trees. What adorable and cute dogs. Is the larger one a sheltie?

I wouldn't use the pinching method either. Although they flower on new wood, I get better flowering by cutting them back 1/2 way after they flower. That way I have a full blooming shrub late spring then it will look tidy for the rest of the season. Otherwise Weigela get scraggly pretty quick. Just wait another year. You can prune out an outlying vigorous shoots now though.

It was said "like a well drained soil, actually like it dry." Only if they have a well-established root system. It was also said "They are expressing their disappointment over their wet feet. " Maybe, maybe not. The only way to know for certain if to stoop down and physically check the soil. Moist? Wet? Sopping? Dry? Even though they're in a wet area, the original rootball may be dry. Check it, please.