Well, I didn't think there was any Fall or Winter interest, but I still like the dark leafed weigelas. I guess I would prefer to have Spring and Summer interest and no Fall interest instead of fall interest with very little Spring or Summer interest like what you get with a dwarf burning bush.

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?

Flowers are wonderfull for both plants but my personal choice is wine and roses. But I must admit its been a learning experience for me . I bought 3 weigela last year 2 red prince and 1 wine and roses. The red prince has and is still flowering their heads off but I stray. The WR flowered some last year but did not releaf nor did it grow and I gave up on it as being dead. Meanwhile this season I found two more larger wine and roses 3gal size. They were not flowering when I bought them but I was sure they would they had not flowered up thru early july. So I go over to a nearby plant farm and talk to head man in the shrubs he said they would not flower this year if they had not by now. So I went for broke I started watering these guys heavy compared to what I had been watering and can you believe it they started lightly flowering even in this heat and drought of this year. So the answer I had been severely under watering these guys in fear of over watering and causing root rot. I had read about this over and over. I should not have been scared as I made sure these guys had great well draining soil. So I had also killed the first plant from last year for the same reason. It is said the first two years they need plenty of water till established and then after that they should be ok. So at least now I have a feel for how much water they need at least in this drought.

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.