Culture
Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Foliage looks best when sited in part shade in the St. Louis region, however, best flowering occurs in full sun. Tolerates a wide range of soils, but prefers moist, humusy loams. Stems are somewhat short-lived, and annual pruning of dead branches is usually necessary. Prune in spring immediately after flowering.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Deutzia gracilis, commonly called slender deutzia, is a dense, rounded, deciduous shrub with slender, broadly spreading to arching stems. Typically grows 2-4' (less frequently to 5-6') tall and as wide. Tiny, fragrant, bell-shaped, white flowers (to 3/4") appear in spring in numerous loose racemes (to 3" long) which cover the shrub for about two weeks. Opposite, ovate to lanceolate, deep green leaves (to 3" long). No fall color.
Genus name honors Johan van der Deutz (1743-1788), amateur botanist from Amsterdam.
Specific epithet means slender or graceful.
CHARDONNAY PEARLS is a patented plant that is best noted for its lemon-lime foliage which remains attractive throughout the growing season. This foliage distinguishes CHARDONNAY PEARLS from the pedestrian green foliage of the species. This is a freely-branched, more compact shrub that grows to 2-3’ tall. It is also noted for its pearl-white flower buds (hence the trade name) which open to a profuse bloom of fragrant white flowers in May. U.S. Plant Patent PP16,098 was issued November 8, 2005.
Problems
Some susceptibility to leaf spot. Leaf miners and aphids are occasional insect visitors. Foliage may bleach to white in full sun conditions in high heat.
Uses
Group in shrub borders, foundations or open woodland areas. Informal hedge.