Gloucester Master Gardeners, like all groups, has curtailed our community activities, but that doesn’t mean that we aren’t available by phone, text, or email to answer gardening questions. Master Gardeners aren’t manning the Gloucester Library or Extension office Horticultural Desks right now, but we are still on the job, and likely looking for a chance to use our knowledge and skills, if only from a distance.

My neighbor, Billie, called me last week to report a concern that some of the leaves on her pink-flowering variegated weigela (Weigela florida) had turned green. Upon inspection the next day, I found a mature, healthy-appearing weigela in bloom in a sunny spot on the west side of the house. The leaves on most of the branches were light green with creamy borders, but one tall branch held bright green leaves, as did a short root sucker.

I examined the weigela for evidence of disease or insect infestation, but found none. I noticed several staubs, short projections of wood cl...