Deutzia x rosea rose deutzia

Rose deutzia is a hybrid, or more accurately, it was originally a group of several hybrids and selections resulting from the crossbreeding of D. gracilis and D. purpurascens, conducted by the renowned French botanist Victor Lemoine (1823-1911) between 1895 and 1900. All these hybrids are very similar, and only significantly different plants were given their own cultivar names. A typical hybrid is a shrub with flowers that are medium pink on the outside and pale pink to almost white on the inside. They are single, 5-petalled, and arranged in broad panicles. They bloom from late May for about three weeks. The leaves are deciduous, bright green, narrowly ovate with a prominent tip, and finely serrated at the margins.

The plant forms elegant shrubs with upright branches first which, as they lengthen and grow longer, elegantly arch and eventually make the plant look like a fountain. It grows to about 1-1.5 m in height and, without pruning, a little more in width. Pruning is not necessary, but you can prevent the formation of unsightly seed pods by cutting back branches with spent flowers by half to two-thirds immediately after flowering. It blooms on the previous year’s wood, so it needs enough time to produce new branches by winter. Due to its smaller size, it is also suitable for smaller gardens and containers, and its arching habit will nicely contrast with, for example, the upright habit of small conifers in a mixed border.

Deutzias are hardy, trouble-free, resistant to diseases and pests, and can thrive in almost any soil. They do not require fertilization, but a bit of extra nutrients will enhance their appearance in a well-maintained garden. They prefer sunny locations and moist soil but will also grow in partial shade. Fully hardy to about -30°C (USDA zone 5).

Last update 10-12-2024