The fickle cycles of spring weather often leave me mourning the abbreviated bloom time of some of my favorite plants. This year my lilacs bloomed and were browning in the space of three days, done too quickly to enjoy for Mother’s Day bouquets. Thankfully, the late blooming weigela compensates, stretching the spring display into June. Weigela florida, a deciduous shrub often dismissed as old fashioned, is returning to favor as new cultivars like the dwarf “Variegata Nana”, variegated “My Monet”, and dark burgundy foilaged “Wine and Roses” find fans. Easy to grow with a graceful arching habit, weigla does best in full sun but will tolerate some shade. The fragrent tubular flowers in shades of pink, red and white, are great hummingbird attractants. Although the plant is appealing for three seasons, it’s best to mix in with some evergreens to help with the barrenness of its winter appearance.