Fuzzy Pride-of-Rochester Deutzia scabra
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Deutzia sieboldii
- Deutzia thunbergiana
- Phonetic Spelling
- DOOT-zee-uh SKA-bruh
- Description
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Fuzzy deutzia is a large deciduous shrub that grows erect with an open crown and arching branches. The shrub is a member of the hydrangea family (Hydrangeaceae) and is native to Japan. The species epithet is Latin for “rough like sandpaper” and refers to the texture of the leaves. The common name, fuzzy deutzia, references the roughness and hairiness of the leaves.
The shrub prospers on a wide range of soil types as long as the soil is medium moist and well-drained. It flowers best in full sun but tolerates partial shade. Pruning is usually required, and it is best done immediately after the flowering season has ended. Keep in mind when pruning that blossoms will appear on old growth.
It grows up to 6 to 10 feet tall and 4 to 8 feet wide. The bark exfoliates on mature shrubs in large sheets in shades of reddish to orangish-brown, and the stems and leaves have a rough and hairy texture. White star-shaped flowers appear in panicles from late spring to early summer. The flowers bloom and cover the shrub for about 2 weeks. Many of the cultivars have pink flowers, and some have double white flowers. The flowers are followed by a dry brown seed capsule. This species has been reported as invasive by the National Park Service. It is also listed by the Mid-Atlantic Exotic Pest Plant Council as an invasive species but not by the North Carolina Invasive Plant Council. This plant has aggressive and weedy tendencies, so extreme caution should be exercised before adding it to the landscape. Please consider the less problematic options listed in the left-hand column.
Fuzzy deutzia may be used for shrub borders, woodlands, large gardens, or parks. The shrub could be considered for a cutting garden since the fragrant flowers make a lovely floral arrangement.
Quick ID Hints:
- bark is reddish to orangish-brown and exfoliates in large sheets
- stems are slender, rough, hairy, reddish-brown to green with a hollow pith
- scaly and pointed buds
- leaves are opposite, simple, deciduous, light green, rough, slightly hairy with serrate margins
- flowers are about ½ inch in diameter, fragrant, white or pink, and star-shaped, arranged on 3- to 6-inch panicles
- fruit is a dry brown seed capsule
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: The fuzzy deutzia has no serious insect or disease issues, but aphids and leaf spots may be seen. The shrub is potentially invasive due to its self-seeding. It may spread and crowd out our native species.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Fortunei'
Large white flowers. - 'Plena'
Double white flowers tinged with rosy purple - 'Rosea'
Pink flowers - 'Watereri'
White flowers tinged carmine on the outside.
- 'Fortunei'
- 'Fortunei', 'Plena', 'Rosea', 'Watereri'
- Tags:


















- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Fortunei'
Large white flowers. - 'Plena'
Double white flowers tinged with rosy purple - 'Rosea'
Pink flowers - 'Watereri'
White flowers tinged carmine on the outside.
- 'Fortunei'
- 'Fortunei', 'Plena', 'Rosea', 'Watereri'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Deutzia
- Species:
- scabra
- Family:
- Hydrangeaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- East Central and Southern Japan
- Distribution:
- Native: Japan; Introduced: United States--AR, CT, DC, FL, GA, IL, KY, MD, MA, MI, NJ, NY, NC, PA, RI, UT, VT, VA, and WV.
- Wildlife Value:
- The flowers attract butterflies.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Fragrance
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- This plant is seldom damaged by deer.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Broad
- Erect
- Oval
- Rounded
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is a dry brown seed capsule and measures 0.25-inches in diameter. They mature in the fall and may be present throughout the winter months.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The flowers are showy, slightly fragrant, and snow-white. Each flower is star-shaped and measures 0.5-inch to 0.75-inch in diameter. They appear in loose clusters or panicles that measure 3 to 6 inches long. Each panicle has 5 to 50 flowers The flowers bloom in late spring to early summer and last about 2 weeks. The flower color depends on the cultivar. and some are found in shades of pink.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Insignificant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The light green leaves are opposite, ovate to oblanceolate, and simple with serrate margins. The base of the leaf is rounded, and the tips are pointed. They measure up to 4 inches long and 2 inches wide. The upper and lower surfaces are slightly hairy and have a rough texture.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Surface/Attachment:
- Exfoliating
- Bark Description:
- The bark is reddish-brown to orangish-brown and exfoliates in large sheets.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Buds:
- Scaly
- Stem Description:
- The stems are slender, erect to ascending, and rough. Young stems are reddish-brown to green. They have a hollow pith. The buds are scaly and pointed.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Garden for the Blind
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Problems:
- Weedy