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Slender deutzia

Deutzia gracilis

Common names:
slender deutzia

Content Detail

Slender, arching stems covered in clusters of white flowers grace this shrub in late spring. Use in front of a border, edging a walkway, or in groups. A yearly pruning is needed to keep deutzia looking tidy.

  • Family (English) Hydrangea
  • Family (botanic) Hydrangeaceae
  • Tree or plant type Shrub
  • Foliage Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
  • Native locale Non-native
  • Size range Small shrub (3-5 feet)
  • Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily), Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily)
  • Hardiness zones Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7, Zone 8
  • Soil preference Moist, well-drained soil
  • Other tolerances Alkaline soil, Occasional drought
  • Season of interest mid spring
  • Flower color and fragrance Fragrant, White
  • Shape or form Mounded
  • Growth rate Moderate, Slow

Size and Form: 

Slender deutzia is 2 to 4 feet high and 3 to 4 feet wide. It has a mounded form with slender arching stems.

Native geographic location and habitat: 

Native to Japan

Bark color and texture: 

Bark peels on older stems.

Leaf or needle arrangement, size, shape, and texture: 

Simple, opposite leaves are 1 to 3 inches long, with fine teeth along the margins. Bright green in summer, the fall color is inconsistent, only occasionally tinged with maroon.

Flower arrangement, shape, and size: 

Small, white fragrant flowers are borne in terminal clusters. 

Fruit, cone, nut, and seed descriptions: 

Dried capsules are not ornamentally showy.

Plant care:

Best in full sun in well-drained soils. Tolerant of part shade and most soil pH, although it can develop chlorosis in high pH soils. Prune in spring after flowering. Plants can get overgrown and unkempt as they age.

List of pests, diseases, and tolerances: 

No serious problems, but aphids and leaf spots are occasional problems. The plant may develop chlorosis in high pH soil.

Chardonnay Pearls® slender deutzia (Deutzia gracilis ‘Duncan’):  

White spring flowers and lime-yellow summer foliage adds color to the landscape. Plants reach 2 to 2 1/2 feet high.

Nikko slender deutzia (Deutzia gracilis ‘Nikko’):

Compact, 2 to 4 feet high, this cultivar has white spring flowers, blue-green foliage, and deep burgundy fall color.

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