If you are looking for a dark leaved shrub then weigela florida 39alexandra39 is a superb choice weigela was brought to britain from the far east in the mid 19th century and since then many different varieties have been developed weigela florida 39alexandra39 is a mid sized weigela and is suitable for garden borders in small and medium sized gardens its plum coloured leaves and pink tubular flowers in late spring and early summer certainly give this plant the 39wow factor39