Culture
Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Best flowering in full sun. Wide range of soil tolerance. Prefers moist, humusy soils. Stems are somewhat short-lived, and annual pruning of dead branches is usually necessary. Prune in spring immediately after flowering.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Deutzia × magnifica is the result of a cross between D. scabra and D. vilmoriniae. It is a deciduous shrub that is noted for its attractive sprays of double flowers. It grows upright to 6-10’ tall with arching branching. Tiny, double white flowers (to 5/8” across) appear in late spring in large panicles (to 2.5” across) which cover the shrub for about two weeks. Opposite, toothed, ovate-oblong, bright green leaves (to 4” long) are gray-green and hairy beneath. No fall color. This hybrid is sometimes commonly called showy deutzia. Introduced by the Lemoine nursery of Nancy, France in 1909.
Genus name honors Johan van der Deutz (1743-1788), amateur botanist from Amsterdam.
The hybrid name magnifica means "splendid" or "magnificent".
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.