National Plant Collections
WEIGELA
and
DIERVILLA
at the Botanical Gardens, Sheffield
THE GENUS DIERVILLA
(Caprifoliaceae)
The genus was named after a Dr. Dierville, a French surgeon who travelled in North America in the early 18th century. This is a small genus of 3 species of hardy, deciduous suckering shrubs native to North America. Previously grouped with plants now known as Weigela, the two genera are easily distinguished from each other. In Diervilla the flowers are two-lipped, invariably yellow, and borne on the current season's growth, whereas in Weigela the corolla is regular, (not two-lipped) and the flowers are borne on short lateral twigs on the growth of the previous year.
CULTIVATION
Diervillas will grow in full sun or part shade in fertile soil. They should be pruned back in spring before growth commences, when they send up a dense mass of shoots that will blossom during summer.
THE GENUS WEIGELA
(Caprifoliaceae)
The genus is named after C.E. von Weigel (1748-1831). a German botany Professor. It contains 10 species which come from Japan, China and Manchuria. In 1929 Bailey separated the plants which are now known as Weigela from the Diervilla group. There are over 200 cultivar names recorded but probably less are in cultivation. Weigela florida was the first species to be introduced - by Robert Fortune in 1845 - and was widely cultivated in the mid 19th century. Other species followed. Since 1867 hybridisers have been working to produce good cultivars to meet the needs of gardeners. The 19th century cultivars were raised largely in France and Holland and are large shrubs with long arching growths. In contrast most of the modernWeigelas are cultivars from Canada, and have coloured foliage and dwarf habit. They are all hardy, long flowered, easy going, trouble-free ornamental shrubs which make good garden plants.
CULTIVATION
Weigelas prefer full sun or light shade; the golden leaved forms require some shade to prevent leaf scorch. They all need a damp fertile soil, which does not dry out in summer, and feeding in spring. Pruning involves removal of the flowered stems after flowering, with a third of the old stems being removed completely to ground level.
THE COLLECTIONS
The Collections were set up in 1984 by Leisure Services of Sheffield City Council who manage the Gardens. They have NCCPG status, and are one of some 60 collections based in Yorkshire and over 600 through out the UK.
FOBS now maintain the Collections on a day to day basis for the Curator and are expanding the collections by obtaining additional plants. The target is to have all the species and a good representation of cultivars. We are particularlty interested in cultivars introduced about 1880.
The plants are propagated vegetatively from cuttings taken in early summer. The species can be grown from seed and most will flower within four years. Most of the plants have been purchased from commercial nurseries in the UK but some material has been obtained by exchange from other Botanical Gardens in north west Europe.
NATIONAL COUNCIL for the CONSERVATION
of PLANTS and GARDENS
Through voluntary membership the NCCPG seeks to conserve, document, promote and make available Britain's great biodiversity of garden plants for the benefit of horticulture, education and science.
The NCCPG is the registration authority for approving National Plant Collections. Each one must be as fully representative as is feasible of the specific genus or section held and must comply with stringent conditions, including good horticultural practice, record keeping and evidence of ongoing research and development. Details of the Collections are recorded in the Directory which is published annually by the NCCPG. See latter for details.
Map of the Gardens
Opening times: 10.00am to dusk
Disabled access to most areas and features
Tea rooms/restaurant available at Main Entrance
Shop and exhibition centre available Autumn 2003
Restored Pavilions now open at selected times
Contacts
The Curator, Sheffield Botanical Gardens, Curator's Office, Botanical Gardens, Clarkehouse Road, Sheffield, S10 2LN. Tel: 0114 2676496
The National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens, the Stable Courtyard, RHS Garden, Wisley, Woking GU23 6QP. Tel: 01483 211465