Culture
Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to light shade. Best flowering in full sun. Wide range of soil tolerance. Prefers moist, rich, humusy soils. Established shrubs have some drought tolerance. Stems are somewhat short-lived, and annual pruning of dead branches is usually necessary. Prune in late spring to early summer immediately after flowering. Propagate by summer cuttings.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Deutzia × hybrida is a name that applies to a number of different shrubs which are hybrids between D. longifolia and D. discolor. These hybrids are typically bushy, multi-stemmed, upright-rounded, rapid-growing, deciduous shrubs that mature to 4-6’ tall and as wide. Showy flowers are produced in late spring to early summer (May-June). When not in flower, deutzias are often described as having a rather unkempt appearance, particularly if not regularly pruned.
Genus name honors Johan van der Deutz (1743-1788), amateur botanist from Amsterdam.
'Strawberry Fields' is a cultivar that typically grows to 4-6' tall, but may be best kept at the 3' tall level by annual post-flowering pruning. It features conical panicles of 5-petaled pink and white flowers (each to 1" across). Flowers are followed by ornamentally insignificant dry brown seed capsules. Ovate green leaves (to 2-4" long) produce no appreciable fall color.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Aphids and leaf spots may appear.
Uses
Group in shrub borders, foundations or open woodland areas. Informal hedge. Slopes.