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AMONG the most popular early flowering
shrubs the Deutzias have long been leaders, ranking as garden shrubs with
such common favorites as the Lilacs and Spiraeas. It is, however, true that
they cannot be classed among the hardiest of shrubs, but where they get
winter protection, and even in the colder regions where the winter slow
mantle is sufficient, they never fail to give a wealth of bloom in early
summer.
Where the temperature is likely to drop considerably below
zero, and to remain there for some time, Deutzias will hardly succeed,
unless very well protected. It is important to plant them on a well drained
light loam, on land gently sloping if at all possible, where the frost will
not settle. It would be a mistake, where the winters are cold, to plant them
in the centre of a well protected hollow, where the frosty air is sure to
lodge. It is wiser to plant on the slopes leading to the hollow, giving
opportunity for the cold air to settle lower down. We have a large
collection of species and hybrids in the public parks of Rochester, and they
flower splendidly. Occasionally the temperature drops a little below zero,
but it never continues for any length of time.
Deutzias always flower best on the young wood of the previous year. The
thinning out of old wood, and old flowering sprays when the plants are
dormant should always be attended to.
Recent improvements owing to the introduction of new species and hybrids
from them, have made available for our gardens Deutzias that in quality of
flower and in size of the individual bloom outclass anything that was known
among the old timers. It is now a good many years ago since the Lemoines of
Nancy, France, began the work of improvement of Deutzias by crossing the
different species and carrying the work still further by re-crossing the
hybrids again with species. In the resulting progeny of all this work there
are many most lovely garden shrubs in which floral profusion, size of
blossom, and rich coloring, have been greatly developed. More recently we
have been given, through the travels of E. H. Wilson in China, several
interesting species of intrinsic beauty, natives of Western China. These, as
is the case with other of Wilson's plants, are introduced through the Arnold
Arboretum. I purpose to call attention to what I consider the best of the
newer species and hybrids with notations as to their flowering period.
D. myriantha Fleur de Pommier,
or Apple Blossom. Flowers rosy pink about May 30. |
D. glomeruliflora
"is one of th many good things introduced by E.H.Wilson." Greyish-white
leaves; flowers white nearly an inch across. June 1
D. discolor,
flowers white fully 1 inch across. June 25
AMONG THE SPECIES
ARE:
Deutzia discolor producing dense compound corymbose clusters of
white flowers, along the branches, from 3/4-7/8 inch across. It is a strong
grower, and very handsome in bloom. In normal seasons it flowers about June
25th. From 3 to 4 feet high. Though this has been in cultivation for some
time it is only recently we were able to secure plants through the Arnold
Arboretum.
Deutzia glomeruliflora has flowered with us for two seasons, and
is one of the many good things introduced by E. H. Wilson from Western
China. It has distinctive grayish white leaves which are very soft
pubescent. The beautiful white flower corymbs are produced abundantly along
the branches, which are slightly curved toward the terminals. The flowers
are 7/8 of one inch across, and are fully opened about June 1st. It forms a
neat shrub 2 feet high at present, what height it will ultimately
attain I do not know.
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Deutzia longifolia is another introduced by: Mr. Wilson. It has a
distinctly upright branching habit, and somewhat long, laceolate leaves. The
corymbose flower clusters are produced on the ends of branchlets, 3 to 5
inches long, and are exceedingly variable in color, shading from pinkish red
to purplish red. It blossoms about June 21st. Mr. Wilson when visiting here
on January 7th, was much surprised and pleased to see by the old flowering
branches, how well this flowers with us.
Deutzia Sieboldiana is not a new species but is rare in
cultivation. It is the lowest growing of all the Deutzias, and has a very
neat compact habit. It has smallish white flower panicles, which are not
conspicuous but it is a very graceful shrub. It flowers about June 19th.
Deutzia Vilmorinae, certainly strikes a most distinct note
amongst the Deutzias, and it is a gem amongst all of the Deutzia species,
and hybrids. It will ultimately attain a height of from 4 to 5 feet. The
handsome white loose, corymbose flower clusters are produced at the ends of
branchlets, 4-1/2 to 6-1/2 inches long. The blossoms are seven-eights of an
inch across. Usually flowers about June 1-5.
Deutzia Wilsoni flowered with us for the first time in 1916.
The white flower corymbs are very compact, and are produced on the ends of
branchlets 2-1/2 to 3 inches long. The leaves are pubescent above and
grayish tomentose beneath. It blossoms about June 19th. Our plants are small
but it is said to attain a height of 6 feet.
D. Vilmorinae strikes a
distinct note, and is a gem. 4-5 ft. high. Flowers white. June 10 |
