Deutzia: the most beautiful varieties

The Deutzia x magnifica is a hybrid species obtained in the early 20th century by cross-breeding two species native to China and Japan. It quickly forms a large bush reaching 2.5 m in height and 2 m in spread, standing upright in its early years and becoming more spreading with age. In spring, it is covered with clusters of fairly large, double bell-shaped flowers, pure white with prominent yellow stamens. These appear in May and last well into June, almost obscuring the foliage beneath the panicles of trailing flowers. They are sometimes tinged with pink.

In the back of a border or as a hedge, this flowering bush creates beautiful combinations with evergreen foliage such as that of conifers like Chamaecyparis, Picea, or Cryptomeria, for example. Plant the Osmanthus x burkwoodii with its fragrant flowers, or evergreen viburnums such as Viburnum tinus with winter blooms, V. odoratissimum, V. davidii, Viburnum ‘Le Bois Joli’, or Viburnum ‘Pragense’ with spring blooms. Also consider Mexican oranges like Choisya ‘Aztec Pearl’.

Deutzia magnifica

The Deutzia setchuenensis ‘Corymbiflora’ is a rare variety to discover! It flowers extensively, tirelessly, from June to October, occasionally taking a break in the heart of summer. Its multitude of pure white flowers are star-shaped, with 5 petals, gathered in light, rounded corymbs. Delicately scented, they attract pollinating insects and contrast beautifully against the rather dark foliage, a matte dark green with bluish reflections. In autumn, it takes on reddish-purple hues before shedding its leaves.

This Deutzia is a horticultural selection with a compact habit and particularly floriferous nature of Deutzia setchuenensis, sometimes referred to as Sichuan Deutzia. Small in stature, it does not exceed 1 m in height and 90 cm in spread at maturity, but grows quite quickly. It tolerates partial shade well, even full shade in warm climates, where it can brighten up a somewhat dark spot with its very bright flowering. Pair it with woodland geraniums such as Geranium nodosum or Geranium phaeum for example, and Saxifraga stolonifera ‘Cuscutiformis. Given its small size, it can also be planted in a pot on the terrace or balcony.

Deutzia setchuenensis ‘Corymbiflora’

With significant growth, the Deutzia scabra ‘Plena’ grows rapidly and reaches 2.50 m in height and 2 m in spread at maturity. It displays an upright habit in its early years, which then becomes more spreading. In June and July, its double flowers, lightly fragrant, overwhelm the bush in clusters that start as soft pink and gradually fade to white. At the time of blooming, its trailing flowers in panicles, with their striated pink backs, give the whole a pink hue. However, as the flower opens, the pure white interior of the petals appears, giving the overall effect a white tone. Its flexible branches arch slightly at their tips, and the bark, cinnamon in colour, exfoliates as it matures.

The Deutzia scabra ‘Plena’, sometimes referred to as ‘Flore Pleno’, is a horticultural variety dating back to 1863, derived from Deutzia scabra, which is native to China and Japan. It is sensitive to drought and shallow soils. It requires a sheltered and dappled exposure to protect its flowering from scorching sun and strong winds. It can be planted as a specimen in the garden or in a flowering hedge, alongside other bushes such as Lilac, Mock Orange, and Ornamental Crab Apple, ensuring four months of flowering from April to July.

Deutzia scabra ‘Plena’

The Deutzia hybrida ‘Raspberry Sundae®’ is a recent English cultivar. It is covered in spring with simple star-shaped bicoloured flowers with 5 petals. The centre of the flower is white, with a heart of yellow stamens, and the tips of the petals are a purplish pink. They are larger than average, slightly fragrant, and grouped in dense bouquets along the curved and trailing branches down to the ground. Remarkably abundant, they almost obscure the foliage between April and June. The foliage is a very dark green with strong veins, turning bronze and purple in late season.

This rather compact Deutzia hybrid reaches 1.20 m in all directions with a rounded and noticeably upright habit. Within a shrub border or on a sunny bank, it enjoys calcareous soils, and will be perfect to accompany small-growing Lilacs such as the Syringa patula ‘Miss Kim’ and Elder trees with pink and white flowers. Perennials like Aquilegias or Campanulas enliven this spring-flowering border, along with bulbs of tulips. They then join lovely bouquets in vases in the home.

Deutzia hybrida ‘Raspberry Sundae®’