Question
Thanks for taking my question.  I live in Kingman, Kansas (zone 6b), which is located in the South Central part of the state.  I have sandy loam soil that drains extremely fast, and we often experience hot, dry summers.  I am planting six Weigela 'Wine & Roses' shrubs.  I have chosen a place along the southern foundation of my house.  The shrubs will get full sun in addition to the heat reflected from the light colored siding.  Do you think this would be a good place for them or would it be too much sun.  I read somewhere that Wine & Roses Weigelas need to be in full sun in order to produce the purple colored leaves that they are known for.  Please let me know what you think.

Thanks,
Tim

Answer
Hello Tim

Weigela does need full sun and likes a moist, but well drained soil, so the south side of your house would be ideal.  

However, there are one or two things to be considered here - your sandy loamy soil may just be too free draining.  The addition of well rotted organic matter to the planting area would improve the situation enormously, plus a mulch around each plant will help to prevent moisture evaporation.  

Also, planting very close to a wall is not good as the foundations draw water from the soil thus depriving plants of moisture - about 3 feet from the wall would be OK.

Remember to water the new plants regularly during their first growing season and during particularly hot periods in future years.  And keep up the mulching!

Gill