'My Monet' Purple Effect Weigela

My Monet Purple Effect® Weigela Care Guide (Weigela florida ‘Verweig8’)

Overview:
My Monet Purple Effect is a compact, variegated weigela cultivar prized for its multicolored foliage (cream, mint-green, purple tones) and abundant trumpet-shaped blooms of pinkish-purple in late spring. 
It is a refined version of the original My Monet, with better cold tolerance, more heat tolerance, and stronger flowering. 

1. Size, Habit & Hardiness

• Mature Dimensions: About 1.5 to 2.5 ft tall and wide (18–30 in / 46–76 cm) 

• Habit: Compact, mounding shrub with a neat form. 

• Hardiness Zones: Generally hardy in zones 4 to 6. 

2. Light & Site

• Sunlight: Best foliage color and flowering with full sun to part sun (at least ~5 hours of direct sun). 

• Because of its variegation, it is somewhat more shade-tolerant than many weigelas — too much shade may dull foliage color. 

• Soil: Prefers well-drained soil. Adaptable to a variety of soil types (including clay) if drainage is reasonable. 

3. Watering & Mulch

• Establishment period (first year): Keep soil evenly moist, but not waterlogged.

• Once established: Tolerates average moisture; supplemental watering during prolonged dry periods helps maintain foliage quality. 

• Use a 2–3 inch mulch layer around the base (keeping it off the stem) to help conserve moisture and moderate soil temperature.

4. Fertilizing

• Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring.

• If soil is already fertile, heavy fertilizing is unnecessary and may encourage overly vigorous, soft growth that is more vulnerable.

5. Pruning & Maintenance

• Pruning Time: Immediately after flowering (late spring / early summer) — it blooms on old wood, so pruning later can reduce next year’s flower display. 

• How to Prune:

  • Remove spent flower trusses to keep appearance tidy.

  • Thin out older stems (especially center wood) every 3–5 years to encourage fresh growth. 

  • Shape lightly as needed, but avoid drastic cutting into old wood, as weigelas may struggle to reshoot from wood older than a few years.

6. Flowering, Foliage & Seasonal Interest

• Bloom Time: Late spring (often May) with tubular, pink to purple flowers. 

• Foliage: Variegated cream and mint green leaves, which in sunlight develop purple blushes/tones. 

• The foliage remains decorative (colorful) through much of the growing season. 

7. Pests & Diseases

• This cultivar is resistant to deer damage. 

• Standard shrub pests (aphids, scale) may occasionally occur—monitor and treat if needed.

• Good air circulation and avoiding damp, shaded conditions help reduce fungal disease risk.

8. Winter & Cold Protection

• Well adapted to cold climates per its hardiness rating.

• In very exposed or windy sites, providing some wind protection for new plantings can reduce winter desiccation.

• Mulch over root zone in late fall helps buffer freeze-thaw cycles.

9. Landscape Uses

Great for small gardens, rock gardens, container planting, or front of border use
Ideal in mass plantings or as a colorful accent
Works well with perennials or around patios where its foliage and blooms can be seen close up
Because of its compact size and decorative foliage, excellent for tight spaces or mixed shrub borders

Photo courtesy of provenwinners.com