Plant of the Week: Deutzia Crenata

By Davis Landscape Architecture @DavisLandArch

Deutzia crenata (23/06/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Soil: Moist, well drained

Flowering period: Early summer

Eventual Height: 2.5m

Eventual Spread: 1.5m

Hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

Family: Hydrangeaceae

Deutzia crenata  is a deciduous shrub with an upright habit. Its mid to dark green leaves are ovate to lanceolate with finely serrate margins, up to 8cm long and 3cm broad. Its white flowers are up to 15mm across and appear in panicles which are up to 10cm long.

Deutzia crenata, commonly know as Crenate Deutzia, is native to Japan and east China.

Deutzia crenata Flower (23/06/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

The etymological root of the binomial name Deutzia is named after J. van der Deutz, a patron of C. P. Thunburg who described the genus. Crenata is derived from the Latin crena meaning ‘serration’, in reference to its leaves.

The landscape architect may find Deutzia crenata useful as a medium sized ornamental shrub which tolerates partial shade.

Ecologically, Deutzia crenata flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given the variety Deutzia crenata ‘Pride of Rochester’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 2012.

Deutzia crenata Leaf (23/06/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Deutzia crenata prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Deutzia crenata  requires little maintenance. Dead, damaged and older unproductive material should be removed after flowering.