deutzia

( DOOT - see - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

These deciduous shrubs are native to Japan and China, and need full sun to light shade. They do best with regular water, planted among evergreens, where they can add to the landscape when they flower in early springtime, but not detract from it when they are leafless. Some species have fantastic fall foliage color when temperatures drop. Blooms are fragrant in certain species, and will attract hummingbirds to your garden. They are at home in cottage gardens, in border plantings, along walkways, and as focal-point shrubs.

Deutzia Species and Varietals

The genus Deutzia is made up of over 60 distinct species of flowering shrubs, and is a member of the family Hydrangeaceae. The genus name honors botanist Johan van der Deutz, who was active in the 1700s. Deutzia shrubs grow best in zones 2-11 and 14-17. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

​Deutzia crenata
A shrub native to Japan, this species has white flowers and deep purple to red fall foliage. Varieties include 'Pride of Rochester' (with small, frilly double whitish pink flowers) and Deutzia crenata nakaiana (a dwarf, spreading variety with double flowers).

​Deutzia x elegantissima
This shrub grows up to 6 feet tall and wide and has pink flowers. Varietal 'Rosealind' grows 4-5 feet tall and wide, and has deep rose-colored flowers.

​Deutzia gracilis (Slender Deutzia)
Native to Japan, grows to 2-4 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide. Slender, arching stems with bright green leaves carry clusters of snow-white, fragrant flowers. Varietals include 'Chardonnay Pearls' (with chartreuse foliage) and 'Nikko' (a compact groundcover).

​Deutzia hybrids
Grows best in zones 2b-9 and 14-23. Hybrid varieties include 'Pink-a-Boo' (6-8 feet tall and 6 feet wide with large clusters of pink flowers), and 'Magicien' (with dark red flowers).

Deutzia x rosea
Gets to 3-4 feet tall and wide, with short clusters of pinkish flowers that have white interiors.

​Deutzia scabra
A native shrub in Japan and China, can reach 7-10 feet tall and 6 feet wide. Dull green leaves and white or pale pink flowers. Varieties include 'Codsall' (also called 'Codsall Pink', which bears double-pink blooms) and 'Variegata' (with white-marked leaves).

Caring for and pruning Deutzia shrubs

Plant low-maintenance Deutzia shrubs in autumn in an area with partial sun to full sun exposure. The more sun they get, the better the flower show will be. They prefer well-draining soil and consistent moisture while they are getting established. Once mature, these shrubs can get by on rainwater and supplemental summer waterings. Feed with a slow-release balanced fertilizer once a year in spring once these shrubs are established; this will help with flowering as well as foliage growth. Mulch yearly in spring around the base of the plant with organic matter. Deutzias bloom on the previous season's growth, so prune only as needed; they will naturally take on a beautiful arching habit when left to their own devices. Old wood can be pruned back to the base of the plant in fall just after the plants are done blooming; this will encourage new growth from the base and create a fuller looking plant that will produce more flowers the next season. 

Some smaller Deutzias can be used as container shrubs on patios and walkways. These shrubs will need a little more care than their in-ground counterparts. Provide water regularly and feed once a year with a slow-release balanced fertilizer. Repot or pot up when necessary to rejuvenate the root system and to allow the plant to increase in size. 

Propagation

Deutzia can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your shrub, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Deutzia by Cutting
  1. Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
  2. In late summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
  3. Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth on your propagated shrub, you'll know you have roots. 
  4. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and a temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to a larger pot. Continue to care for your Deutzia indoors until the next fall, when it can be planted out in the garden.

Propagating Deutzia by Seed
  1. Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
  2. Harvest your seeds. The seed pods on Deutzia plants are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will begin to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
  3. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a cool area that receives bright, indirect light. Germination usually takes 7-14 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
  4. Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (once the temperatures are consistently staying above 50 degrees Fahrenheit), when you can transplant it to its new home in your garden. Plants grown from seed may take a year or more to start flowering.
Deutzia seed pods are rounded and green, turning dry and brown when they are ready to release their seeds.
Deutzia seeds.

Problems and Pests

Although Deutzia plants are relatively pest-free, they are affected by the following issues:
  • Spider Mites
  • Aphids
  • Mealybugs
For more information on how to prevent and eradicate these issues, see the following links:
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Gallery

Plant Deutzia near walkways so the flower sprays can be admired from a close distance.
Use Deutzia to edge lawns and outer planting beds.
The delicate flowers on Deutzia shrubs make a great show.

Videos

How to prune your Deutzia shrub.
All about Deutzia.
Planting Deutzia shrubs in your garden.
How to use Deutzia in a mixed bed.

Resources

Dwarf Deutzia: Nikko Short Enough to Serve as a Groundcover
Wikipedia: Deutzia
How to Grow Deutzia Plants in the Garden
How to Plant and Grow Deutzia
Here is the Best Time to Plant Deutzia in California (2023 Guide)
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Pages 284 - 285, Deutzia
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
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