Ask the Expert:variegated weigela
Hi. I’m a new home owner and I have a ton of plants that I don’t know how to care for. My dad insisted that I have this perfect yard and got a friend of his, who owns a garden store and greenhouse, to plan my yard. now my dad and his friend do these drive bys to spy on my house while i’m at work to see how the plants are doing. I was given no instruction on how to care for any of these plants and I made a terrible mistake during the first week. I couldn’t figure out how to get my sprinklers to work and I didn’t water my plants for the first week. Now, I’ve figured out how to get the water to work and I’ve been watering almost every day to make up for lost time. My mom had roses, so I think my fairy roses are recovering and my trees are recovering nicely. but I have two plants that i’m not too sure about. The first is I believe it’s a kind of astilbe. they were blooming for a while and I thought they were going to be okay, but i’m not so sure now. In some places, they look like they’re getting some new additions to the plant, but the original part of the plant the flowering part looks dry. Should I trim that part? Will it grow another flower next season? or did I mess everything up? The other plant was one from the previous owner of the house. I looked it up and I think it’s a weigela. The leaf is dark green with a light green border and earlier this spring the bush had beautiful pink flowers all along it’s branches. The branches are long and tall and spread out. But as you go inside the bush, it’s all sticks. And the bush is starting to get too tall and it’s getting too close to the driveway. By now the flowers are all gone, is it safe to trim now? And if I trim it back and down will the sticks in the middle of the bush start blooming? Or will that basically kill the plant off? please help. I have no idea what I’m doing. Thank you! Sarina

Weigela

Blooming Astilbe

Astilbe

Plant Expert Reply:
Landscaping should be an enjoyable process, so take a deep breath and relax. On the average most plants are fairly easy to care for. However, watering is the biggest challenge for most people. Depending on the area you live in watering every day is not necessary. A good slow soaking of the ground twice a week during the hot season should be enough.

Plants in the picture seems to be in good health. It is hard to tell from the picture but the Astilbe you labeled bad may have a weed growing in it. However, the plant looks healthy may need a little less water. Astilbe blooms last for a short period and then the bloom will wither and fade a way. It won’t bloom again until next year. Trim spent bloom stems from the plant and any other brown foliage. Be sure to keep the asilbe evenly moist but not soggy. As long as the new leaves look healthy your plant is ok.

The weigela looks very healthy. You can trim it back severely to get it back under control. As a rule of thumb anything can be cut right after it blooms. However, I would not cut the plant back so severely that it doesn’t have any leaves. Once you cut the weigela back and open the center to sunlight, you should start to see some growth in the bare areas. I have been able to get mine to bloom again after I trim it.

The best way to care for your plants is to get a little help from an expert. As a someone who has a garden center, I can tell you that plant people love to share their knowledge. So invite your dad and his friend to the house for supper. After dinner stroll around your house with a notebook and ask your dad’s friend to tell you a little about each plant and how to care for it.

Above all remember successful gardening is all about trial and error. Have fun with your landscape. I’m here anytime you need help.