I had a variegated one which reverted. I decided I preferred the plain green leaves, so took cuttings from those and now have 2 green leaved bushes to replace the original one.
@Adamadamant. It's actually over the back wall (concrete panels) and if I remember correctly, the bark is a little peely. I'll check it again.........Hmmm. Not quite as 'peely' as I thought. Just a bit of the bark has come away at the bottom, but that may have been me, when I was trying to clear the area.
@GardenerSuze I think that's just a trick of the light. I didn't know that it could do that (revert back). I think I'll move forward using the consensus of opinion, that it's a weigela, possibly a florida type. Thank you.
Actually, on further checking, it does look remarkably like Kolkwitzia, and on checking, that grows up to 10 feet high, whereas Weigela grows 4/5 ft high, it seems. So as the plant is 9/10 ft high, it may well be a Kolkwitzia?? Intriguing. Anybody anything else to add?
the plant is a shrub (i.e., a woody plant with several stems growing from the base)
Leaf type
the leaf blade is simple (i.e., lobed or unlobed but not separated into leaflets)
Leaves per node
there are two leaves per node along the stem
Leaf blade edges
the edge of the leaf blade has no teeth or lobes
the edge of the leaf blade has teeth
Leaf duration
the leaves drop off in winter (or they wither but persist on the plant)
armature on plant
the plant does not have spines, prickles, or thorns
Leaf blade length
30–80 mm
Leaf blade width
15–25 mm
Leaf stalk
the leaves have leaf stalks
Fruit type (general)
the fruit is dry but does not split open when ripe
Bark texture
the bark of an adult plant is thin and smooth
the bark of an adult plant peels off easily or hangs off
It says leaf blade width is 15-25 mms, but mine are 50mms wide, so I'm leaning back towards weigela, despite their similarity. Perhaps this is a very old weigela, and therefore grown much higher than a typical one? In fact, maybe I should have pruned it long before now? It is a beautiful plant though, and gradually we have 'trained it to come over our fence.
@paulpuk2000 k2000 It would seem that Kolkwitzia flowers has a spotted throat. Lots of trees and shrubs can revert it is essential to cut away reversion as soon as you see it. The plain stems can grow stronger due to better photosythesis and take over.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
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It says leaf blade width is 15-25 mms, but mine are 50mms wide, so I'm leaning back towards weigela, despite their similarity. Perhaps this is a very old weigela, and therefore grown much higher than a typical one? In fact, maybe I should have pruned it long before now? It is a beautiful plant though, and gradually we have 'trained it to come over our fence.
Lots of trees and shrubs can revert it is essential to cut away reversion as soon as you see it. The plain stems can grow stronger due to better photosythesis and take over.