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Dark Horse Weigela

Weigela florida 'Dark Horse'
$3499
  • Out of stock
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Plant Size

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Delivery and Shipping

Shipping

To obtain a more accurate shipment time-frame, simply enter your zip code in the “Find Your Growing Zone” box to the right. Our plants are grown all over the country and lead time on items may be different because of this. Once your order is placed, you will also receive the specific shipment time-frame information as part of your order confirmation. Once an item ships, you will receive shipment notification and tracking numbers, so you can follow along while your plant travels to your doorstep. We use FedEx, UPS, or USPS at our discretion.

 

Due to winter weather we have put a hold on shipping to the areas shown below in grey. You can still order now and we will ship the plant to you during an appropriate time for your zone.

*If you have found your zone already, it will be highlighted in the table below.

Standard Shipping Rates

At Nature Hills we handle, package and ship the products you order with the utmost care to ensure healthy delivery. Shipping and handling charges are calculated based on the tables below. Please note that some items include an additional handling surcharge, these will be noted on the item's product page.

From To S&H
$0 $19.99 $24.99
$20 $49.99 $29.99
$50 $69.99 $34.99
$70 $99.99 $39.99
$100 $129.99 $44.99
$130 $149.99 $48.99
$150 $150+ Approx 28%

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Plant Highlights

Dark Horse Weigela highlights at a glance!

Plant Highlights

  • Brand
    Nature Hills' Choice
  • Botanical Name
    Weigela florida 'Dark Horse'
  • Growing Zones
    4-8
  • Mature Height
    2 - 3 feet
  • Mature Spread
    2 - 3 feet
  • Sun Exposure
    Full Sun
  • Moisture
    Moderate
  • Soil
    Widely Adaptable
  • Growth Rate
    Medium
  • Pollinator Friendly
    Yes
  • Pollinator Required
    No
  • Fragrant
    Yes
  • Pruning Time
    After Flowering
  • Bloom Period
    Late Spring, Summer

Dark Horse Weigela (Weigela florida 'Dark Horse') is a new cultivar that is characterized by a superior compact habit, dark purple leaves, and pink flowers that contrast with dark foliage! In combination, these traits set Dark Horse apart from all other existing varieties of Weigela!

This is an ideal choice for late spring color in combination with conifers and broadleaf evergreens. Will attract hummingbirds! This old-fashioned, flowering deciduous shrub has very dark foliage and deep pink flowers that contrast well with the foliage.

Dark Horse Weigela has a dense, rounded form and is hardier than some other space-saving smaller cultivars. Featuring improved cold tolerance throughout USDA growing zones 4 to 8, this gorgeous colorway is easy to grow and very low-maintenance.

Planting and Application:

Growing just 2-3 feet in height and width, Dark Horse is a unique smaller flowering plant that lights up planters and container gardens! Brighten porches and patios, sunny balconies, and fancy urns throughout the Cottage and Pollinator garden for height and color with ease! Accent your front door or along your pool deck with these darling bloomers!

Dark Horse Weigela is ideal for use as facer plants or low edging along an evergreen hedge or your foundation plantings that may have gotten a bit 'leggy' in their maturity. Plus you'll gain a major burst of color! Plant these gorgeous little flowering shrubs for curb appeal, cut flowers, and nectar for bees and butterflies! Weigela's smaller size is a darling accent that works for your small garden beds and courtyards!

  • Deep Pink Trumpet-Shaped Flowers
  • Dark Purple Leaves
  • Attract Hummingbirds & Pollinators
  • Unique Cut Flowers & Garden Texture
  • Great in Containers, Back Border, Vertical Interest & Specimens

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Weigela is easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun for the best flowering and foliage color, but will tolerate very light or sun-dappled shade. Plant Weigela in well-drained rich soil with moderate, regular moisture. Top dress with a thick layer of wood chip mulch, but please take care to ensure the mulch doesn't touch the stems directly.

It's amenable to pruning, so you can shape it as needed but because of its compact, dwarf size and naturally tidy form, you'll appreciate its low-maintenance nature! Rejuvenate your mature Weigela by pruning out the oldest, fattest stems down to the ground every three years or so. Leave the thin, young stems to provide the most amazing blooms for you!

  • Full Sun & Partial Shade
  • Moderate Moisture Needs
  • Well-Drained Enriched Soil & Mulched Beds
  • Prune After Flowering & Renewal Prune Every 3- 5 Years
  • Deer Seldom Bother These Cold Hardy Shrubs
  • Carefree & Easy to Grow & Pest Free

Dark Horse Weigela makes a great landscape plant, and it retains its color interest throughout the season! Order enough of these for your next project today from Nature Hills Nursery!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the best place to plant Weigela?

The Dark Horse Weigela is a flowering shrub that appreciates well-drained soil with moderate moisture access in full sun or part shade.

How big can Dark Horse Weigela grow?

The Dark Horse can reach just 2-3 feet in height and in width in optimal growing conditions.

What month does Weigela bloom?

The Dark Horse will bloom in the spring with a rebloom in the late summer or fall.

Are Weigela shrubs good for pollinators and hummingbirds?

The Weigela is a pollinator-friendly shrub and feeds hummingbirds with nectar-rich trumpet-shaped blooms!

What Shipping Options Do You Offer?

NatureHills.com works closely with our growers and nursery professionals to ensure we ship when it is most appropriate for your area. Our goal is to deliver the hardiest plants by avoiding extreme high and low temperatures. Check out our shipping schedule ;for more information and to learn our wills and won'ts when it comes to shipping plants. Find your Weigela Shrubs for sale here at NatureHills.com!

Customer Reviews

Based on 5 reviews
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N
Nikki
Plants seem to be doing

Plants seem to be doing well. Yay!

Hi Nikki,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful update! We’re thrilled to hear your plants are doing well—your “Yay!” says it all! If you ever need tips on watering, pruning, or just want to share more about your garden’s progress, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re always here to support your green space and help it flourish.

Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

D
DFG
Leaf color

Dark Horse weigela has gorgeous dark purple leaves.

Dear DFG,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with the Dark Horse Weigela! We’re delighted to hear you are enjoying its gorgeous dark purple leaves—they truly add such striking and unique color to any garden. If you’re interested in enhancing its vibrancy even more, ensuring it gets full sun and well-drained soil can really bring out those deep hues. Additionally, if you’d like tips on pruning or seasonal care to keep your Dark Horse looking its best, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

We appreciate you taking the time to leave this lovely feedback and hope your garden continues to flourish beautifully!

Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

D
Dfg
Leaf color

Dark Horse weigela has gorgeous dark purple leaves.

Hello Dfg,

Thank you so much for sharing your lovely thoughts on the Dark Horse Weigela! We’re thrilled to hear that you’re enjoying its gorgeous dark purple leaves – such a beautiful, standout feature indeed. If you’d like to keep those vibrant colors looking their best, be sure to plant it in full sun to part shade, as this will bring out the richest foliage tones.

If you haven’t already, our website has some great care tips for Weigelas that could help you maximize vigor and color throughout the seasons. Please feel free to reach out anytime with questions or updates; we love hearing success stories from devoted gardeners like you!

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

J
Judi
Great little bush!

Weigelas are my favorite flowering bushes. This little gem is a wonderful addition to my gardens. I needed a small bush, but one that would command attention and add color throughout the summer months. This little bush fits the bill! It blooms a bit earlier then my variegated and French Lace weigelas, which makes for a nice spring blossom sequence. The medium pink blossoms stand out against the dark bronzy purple foliage. I like that the foliage remains dark throughout the summer without washing out in the hot summer sun. It brings a nice color contrast to the perennial/annual garden beds. Because of it's demure height it works very well mixed in amongst them and can be planted towards the front of a garden bed, where most bushes would be far too tall. While my other weigelas, after their initial spring time flush of blossoms, have produced sporadic blossoms throughout the summer I have not experienced this with Dark Horse. But, it is a fairly new bush in my gardens, so maybe with maturity it will preform the same feat. In the fall the foliage's bronzy undertone becomes a bit more prominent, which is quite beautiful. This is a great little bush that should not be over looked. I do recommend it.

Hello Judi,

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughtful and detailed review of the Dark Horse Weigela! We’re delighted to hear this “little gem” has found a perfect spot in your garden and fulfills your desire for a small bush that brings both color and presence. It’s wonderful that its early blooming complements your other weigelas so well, providing that beautiful, timed sequence of pink blossoms.

Your observation about the Dark Horse’s consistent dark foliage in the hot sun and its charming fall bronze undertones really highlights what makes this variety special. As for the sporadic summer blooms, you’re absolutely right—many younger plants can take a little more time to establish themselves. With continued care and maturity, it might indeed develop that longer flowering pattern you enjoy with your other weigelas.

If you’re interested, we can also suggest occasional light pruning after the spring bloom to encourage new growth, or fertilizing in early spring, which might help stimulate additional flowering throughout the summer. Feel free to reach out anytime for care tips or shrub recommendations to enhance your garden’s beauty even further!

Thanks again for your wonderful recommendation and for choosing Nature Hills to grow your garden!

Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

J
Judi
Great little bush!

Weigelas are my favorite flowering bushes. This little gem is a wonderful addition to my gardens. I needed a small bush, but one that would command attention and add color throughout the summer months. This little bush fits the bill! It blooms a bit earlier then my variegated and French Lace weigelas, which makes for a nice spring blossom sequence. The medium pink blossoms stand out against the dark bronzy purple foliage. I like that the foliage remains dark throughout the summer without washing out in the hot summer sun. It brings a nice color contrast to the perennial/annual garden beds. Because of it's demure height it works very well mixed in amongst them and can be planted towards the front of a garden bed, where most bushes would be far too tall. While my other weigelas, after their initial spring time flush of blossoms, have produced sporadic blossoms throughout the summer I have not experienced this with Dark Horse. But, it is a fairly new bush in my gardens, so maybe with maturity it will preform the same feat. In the fall the foliage's bronzy undertone becomes a bit more prominent, which is quite beautiful. This is a great little bush that should not be over looked. I do recommend it.

Hi Judi,

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughtful and detailed review of the Dark Horse Weigela! We’re delighted to hear that this charming bush is such a perfect fit for your garden and contributes beautifully to your blooming sequence. Your observation about its early bloom and striking dark foliage really highlights what makes the Dark Horse so special—and how well it complements other varieties with that lovely splash of medium pink blossoms.

Regarding your note on the staggered blooming, many of our customers have found that as their Weigelas mature over a few seasons, the bloom cycles can become more extended or sporadic, so your experience is quite common early on. You may also try lightly pruning the spent flowers after the first bloom to encourage new growth and potentially additional flowering later in the summer. Keeping the bush well-watered and feeding it with a balanced fertilizer can also support a longer blooming period.

We love hearing about how plants like the Dark Horse find just the right spot in your garden design — especially when their demure height allows such beautiful layering with perennials and annuals up front. Plus, that autumn color shift sounds stunning; You’ve painted quite the picture for any home gardener!

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you want personalized tips or have further questions about caring for your Weigela or other garden favorites.

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

Dark Horse Weigela

Dark Horse Weigela

From $3499

Growing Zones

4-8

Mature Height

2 - 3 feet

Mature Spread

2 - 3 feet

Sun

Full Sun

Foliage Color

N/A

Fall Color

N/A

Flower Color

N/A
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