Introduction of the representatives of the genus <i>Weigela </i>Thunb. and prospects for their use in urban gardening
This paper deals with the results of long-term (11 years) observations over the Weigela collection from the Botanical Garden-Institute of the Ufa Scientific Centre, RAS. The representatives of the genus Weigela Thunb. of the family Caprifoliaceae Juss. are beautifully flowering ornamental shrubs almost ignored in amenity planting because of their poorly known biological features. In the Ufa Botanical Garden the Weigela collection includes 5 species and 5 cultivars. These are Weigela coraeensis Thunb., Weigela florida (Bunge) A.DC), Weigela ґ florida (Bunge) A.DC 'Candida', Weigela ґ florida (Bunge) A.DC ‘Nana Variegata', Weigela ґ florida (Bunge) A.DC ‘Rumba', Weigela ґ hybrida Jacg. ‘Bristol Ruby', Weigela ґ hybrida Jacg. ‘Styriaca', Weigela japonica Thunb., Weigela middendorffiana (Trautv. et Mey.) C. Koch) and Weigela praecox (Lemoine) Bailey. All of them have highly ornamental properties: peculiar flowering, bright colouring of flowers and leaves, ornamental crown and relatively high winter hardiness. The paper presents the results of our long-term observations over Weigela species and cultivars: data on morphological indicators, phenological observations, winter hardiness and resistance to pests and diseases. In addition, it offers some strategies for using the Weigela taxa under study in urban gardening throughout the region and adjacent areas.