Deutzia Deutzia
Other plants called Deutzia:
- Phonetic Spelling
- DOOT-zee-uh
- Description
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Prepare to be surprised in spring! Deutzias are among those plants that are passed down from one generation to another, and you often will see them growing in older landscapes or near an abandoned farmhouse. They go unnoticed most of the year, but for a few weeks in May, Deutzia dazzles as a striking plant covered in showy white or pinkish flowers borne on upright panicles.
The Deutzia genus is a member of the Hydrangeaceae or hydrangea family, and they are dense, deciduous, flowering shrubs. Depending on the species or hybrid they can grow up to 10 feet tall and 8 feet wide or maybe more compact 1 to 2 feet tall and wide. Most of them blossom in the spring with abundant clusters of white or occasionally pink flowers. The green leaves may be papery, rough, or soft depending on the species. Most of them have insignificant fall colors except for 'Yuki Cherry Blossom Deutzia.'
The genus name, Deutzia, honors a Dutch amateur botanist from the 1700s, John van der Deutz. Hybrids, such as 'Showy Deutzia,' have been developed and introduced by the Lemoine Nursery of Nancy, France in the early 1900s. The 'Yuki Cherry Blossom Deutzia' hybrid was developed by Thomas Green Ranney at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina.
There are over 60 species of Deutzia. Some species and cultivars may have been sold or traded under incorrect names and have a confusing horticultural history. A study was published in January 2020 in the Journal of American Society for Horticultural Science, to correct and update the species and cultivars' names for the plants studied. The research was done by William G. Hembree, Thomas Ranney, Nathan P. Lynch, and Brian E. Jackson at North Carolina State University. The study is entitled, "Identification, Genome Sizes and Ploidy of Deutzia."
The shrub prefers fertile, moist, and well-drained soils. It is accepting of most soil types and becomes more drought tolerant once it is established. Although the plant is tolerant of partial shade, an abundance of flowers is produced in full sun. In warm southern climates, most of these shrubs would benefit from afternoon shade. Pruning may be required every couple of years and is best done immediately after blooming has finished. When pruning, keep in mind that the plant blossoms will appear on old growth. This genus of plants is propagated by woody stem cuttings.
Some of the species have exfoliating or peeling bark. The leaves are generally green, simple, lanceolate to ovate with rounded bases and pointed tips, and are sparsely hairy. Each flower is less than 1-inch in diameter, five-petaled, and star-shaped in shades of white or pink. They are arranged in 3 to 6-inch panicles along the branches. Fruit capsules follow after the flowers fade.
Deutzias are seldom bothered by deer. Hummingbirds are attracted to the fragrant flowers in the spring.
Consider a species of Deutzia for a garden border, foundation planting, or hedge. The compact species would add beauty as an accent for a patio garden or container. Mass plantings along a slope or bank would add beautiful spring flowers and lush green foliage to the landscape.
Seasons of Interest:
Bloom: Spring Foliage: Spring and Summer Bark: Winter
Quick ID Hints
- possible exfoliating or peeling bark on some species
- reddish-brown stems
- simple, lance to ovate shaped, green leaves
- clusters of five-petaled, star-shaped flowers of white and occasionally pink
- tiny fruit capsule following the blooms
Insects, Diseases, and Other Problems: Deutzia is generally pest and disease-free, but aphids and leaf spots may occur. Shrubs may need some protection for late spring frost and cold winters to prevent tip dieback. Fuzzy Deutzia is listed on the Mid-Atlantic Exotic Pest Plant Council List as an alien invasive species.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Deutzia
- Family:
- Hydrangeaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Native to Japan, Central and Southeast China
- Distribution:
- Depending on the species distribution includes Austria, Czechoslovakia, East Himalayas, Korea, Myanmar, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and parts of the United States including North Carolina; Hybrids were developed in Nancy, France at the Lemoine Nursery, and Raleigh, North Carolina by Thomas Green Ranney.
- Wildlife Value:
- Hummingbirds are attracted to the flowers.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Easy to Grow
- Fragrance
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Deer Resistant
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Dense
- Erect
- Mounding
- Multi-stemmed
- Open
- Oval
- Rounded
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is a tiny hairy capsule measuring 4-5 mm in diameter and is usually half-circle in shape. The capsules appear in the late summer, fall, and early winter.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- 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, fragrant, white or pinkish, five-petaled, and star-shaped blossoms. Each flower measures about 0.5 inches in diameter. The flowers are borne on upright panicles measuring up to 6 inches long. They bloom from late spring to early summer.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Papery
- Rough
- Soft
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Insignificant
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are opposite, simple, and bright to deep green. Most species have insignificant fall color except for the hybrid, 'Yuki Cherry Blossom Deutzia' which has bronze purple foliage. The leaves are lanceolate to ovate with rounded bases and pointed tips. The leaf size ranges from 2 to 6 inches long depending on the species or hybrid. The margins are typically serrated.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Surface/Attachment:
- Exfoliating
- Peeling
- Bark Description:
- Some species of this genus have peeling or exfoliating bark in shades of reddish to orangish-brown.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Some species have slender reddish-brown to green stems with a hollow pith. The buds may be scaly and pointed.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Lawn
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Slope/Bank
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Garden for the Blind
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought