Named after Abel Carriere, a prominent horticulturalist and botanist, this Weigela is a direct descendant of those first brought back from Japan in the 1850's. It's still prized today for its heavy bloom, which lasts well into midsummer, and clear strong pink of its flowers.

These days, Weigalas are enjoying increasing popularity as garden plants, for good reason. In addition to the many combinations of red and pink bloom in older varieties, you can now get them in yellow and white, and in sizes that range from 1 1/2 to 9 feet tall. Leaves may be green, or variegated, or yellow or deep burgundy. And they have no particular disease or pest problems. Just give them good drainage, reasonable moisture, and 4 or more hours of sun a day.