Weigela decora

Weigela decora, or Japanese weigela, is a deciduous shrub. It belongs to the honeysuckle family, Caprifoliaceae. Its native range covers central and southern Japan. Records include Honshu, Kyushu, and Shikoku. There, it grows in sunny sites across a broad height range. These sites lie about 328–7,546 feet [100–2,300 metres] above sea level. It is a plant of temperate climates.

The shrub has a round outline and sheds its leaves seasonally. Plants For A Future reports heights reaching 16.4 feet [5 metres]. The supplied sources give no mature width for the species. Its flowers grow in clusters along the branches. Each flower has a trumpet shape and opens pale yellow. As the blooms age, their colour shifts to pink and red. Different stages can share one cluster, giving the shrub mixed colours. The main bloom season runs from May to June. The spring display can last a month or longer.

Grow this shrub in sun or partial shade. It prefers fertile soil that stays moist but drains well. It can grow in sandy soil, loam, or clay. It also accepts mildly acid, neutral, and mildly alkaline ground. Moderate watering suits its needs in cultivation. Plants For A Future describes it as easy to grow. The same source reports that it tolerates air pollution. Chicago Botanic Garden lists it for USDA zones 5–9.

The round form suits use as a single garden specimen. It also fits sunny woodland edges and sites with dappled shade. Chicago Botanic Garden records interest from birds and butterflies. It also lists the shrub as resistant to deer. Flowers form at leaf nodes on growth from the year before. Prune just after flowering to preserve the next year's display. Later cuts can remove wood that would carry those flowers. Plants For A Future warns that heavy flowering can exhaust plants. In severe cases, it reports that plants may die.

Young leaves have a recorded food use after cooking. They may be boiled with rice or millet. Plants For A Future gives this use a low food rating. It lists no known medicinal uses or other practical uses. The source reports no known hazards, but provides no detailed safety assessment.