Plant Type

Shrub, Perennial

 

Height Range

1-3'

 

Flower Color

White

 

Flower Season

Spring

 

Leaf Color

Light Green

 

Bark Color

Brown

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full, Half

 

Water

Medium

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Clay, Loam

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Well-drained

 

Soil pH

Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

English Cottage, Meadow, Woodland

 

Accenting Features

Showy Flowers

 

Seasonal Interest

Spring

 

Location Uses

Perennial Border, Shrub Border

 

Special Uses

Cut Flowers

 

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

Slender deutzia is a woody shrub that is usually grown here as a perennial. Though references list it as growing to 2 to 4 feet tall and wide, I've never seen one in this region taller than about 16 inches, I think because it tends to die-back in the winter. It has long, slender leaves that are finely toothed, and pure white, tubular, fragrant flowers that bloom around late April to early May. 'Nikko' is more available than is the species, and has a more sprawly, almost groundcover-habit. A nice choice in rock gardens.

Grow in well drained, loamy soil, in light shade to full sun. It is pH adaptive. It will look best if it gets a hard pruning, which is best done immediately after flowering. Due to winter die-back, you might want to remove dead branches in early spring. Hardy to USDA Zone 4, though it invariably experiences some die-back over the winter months.