The Weigela florida ‘Sonic Bloom Wine’ cultivar is a modern ornamental shrub valued for its long-lasting display of color. This selection of the classic weigela species was bred specifically to provide an extended bloom period, offering continuous color throughout the growing season.
Defining Features of the Cultivar
The ‘Sonic Bloom Wine’ weigela is a medium-sized, deciduous shrub known for its tidy, mounding habit and significant color contrast. It typically reaches a mature height of four to five feet with a slightly narrower spread of three to four feet, fitting well into mixed borders or as a foundation planting. The foliage provides a deep, rich burgundy color that remains fade-resistant throughout the summer, creating a striking backdrop for the blooms.
The most distinctive feature is its prolific re-blooming characteristic, which gives the plant its “Sonic Bloom” designation. After an initial flush of flowers in late spring, the shrub continues to produce blooms repeatedly until the first hard frost of autumn. The flowers are bell-shaped and appear in shades of magenta or bubblegum pink, sometimes featuring a hot-pink star-like marking on the petals. This extended bloom cycle attracts pollinators like hummingbirds and butterflies, enhancing the garden’s ecological activity.
Selecting the Ideal Planting Location
For ‘Sonic Bloom Wine’ weigela to perform optimally, careful selection of the planting site is necessary, starting with sunlight exposure. The shrub requires at least six hours of direct sun daily (full sun). While it can tolerate partial shade, insufficient sunlight will diminish the intensity of the burgundy foliage color and reduce the volume of repeat blooms.
The plant is generally cold-tolerant and successfully grows across USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 8. Soil quality is also a determining factor for long-term health, as the plant thrives in well-drained conditions. Heavy clay soil should be amended with organic material, such as compost, to improve permeability and prevent root rot.
This cultivar is adaptable to a wide pH range, performing well in soils that are slightly acidic to neutral, typically between 6.0 and 7.5. Ensuring the chosen site has adequate drainage is more important than achieving a specific pH level. Proper spacing is also a consideration; allow three to four feet of space between shrubs to accommodate their mature spread and ensure good air circulation.
Essential Seasonal Maintenance
Establishing a robust root system is a priority during the first year after planting, which requires consistent, deep watering. Newly planted weigelas should receive about one inch of water per week, either through rainfall or supplemental irrigation, especially during dry spells. Once the shrub is established, typically after the first full growing season, it becomes moderately drought-tolerant, but continued consistent moisture will support the continuous re-blooming cycle.
To fuel the prolonged flowering, a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer formulated for blooming shrubs should be applied in early spring as new growth begins. A second, lighter application in mid-summer can help sustain the energy needed for the second and third flushes of blooms. Over-fertilizing with high-nitrogen products should be avoided, as this can encourage excessive leafy growth at the expense of flower production.
Pruning techniques directly influence the re-blooming performance of the ‘Sonic Bloom Wine’ cultivar. The best time for shaping or reducing the size of the shrub is immediately after the initial, heavy spring bloom has finished. This timing encourages new growth, which is where the summer and fall flowers will develop, ensuring maximum re-bloom.
Since this weigela blooms on both old and new wood, major structural pruning should be done selectively to maintain health. Every two to three years, perform renewal pruning by removing one-third of the oldest, thickest canes down to the ground. This rejuvenates the shrub by stimulating fresh, vigorous growth that supports future flowers. Adequate air circulation helps prevent minor issues like powdery mildew or infestations from aphids or spider mites.