When should I prune my weigela?

Question:

When should I prune my weigela?

Answer:

Weigelas bloom on both old and new wood.  Plants bloom heavily in late May or June on the previous year’s growth.  They also bloom intermittently through the summer on the current season’s growth. 

Weigelas are prone to winter dieback.  Carefully examine plants in late winter/early spring and prune out any dead wood.  If the weigelas suffer little dieback, remove a few of the largest, oldest stems on large, well-established plants.  Removal of a few large branches in late winter/early spring allows the shrub to bloom in late spring and produce vigorous new flowering shoots for future years.  Weigelas can also be lightly pruned immediately after the late spring bloom.