Fuzzy deutzia (Deutzia scabra 'Codsall Pink')
Deutzia scabra 'Codsall Pink' is a low-maintenance, deciduous Fuzzy deutzia shrub featuring showy pink double blooms in late spring.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Fuzzy deutzia, scientifically recognized as Deutzia scabra ‘Codsall Pink’, offers excellent texture and vibrant spring color to the garden landscape. This deciduous shrub is noted for its upright growth habit and the profusion of fully double pink flowers that appear in late spring, providing a significant visual display. It is a wonderfully adaptable choice for many landscapes, offering high aesthetic reward for relatively low effort.
Deutzia scabra ‘Codsall Pink’ typically matures between 6 and 10 feet tall, developing into a rounded, somewhat coarse specimen. While the flowers are the main attraction, its rough-textured, hairy leaves also contribute to its interest, giving rise to the common name, Fuzzy deutzia. Gardeners appreciate this cultivar for its low maintenance requirements and its ability to thrive across a wide range of soil types.
This cultivar, sometimes listed as ‘Godsall Pink’, is highly valued for mass plantings, informal hedging, or providing structure within shrub borders. Its structure and reliable blooming make Deutzia scabra ‘Codsall Pink’ a dependable backbone plant for mixed borders or foundational plantings where medium-sized shrubs are required.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Hydrangeaceae
- Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 6-10 ft
- Spread: 4-8 ft
- Bloom Time: May to June
- Bloom Description: Pink double
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
For the best flowering display of pink double blooms, plant Deutzia scabra ‘Codsall Pink’ in a location receiving full sun, though it tolerates part shade. This shrub is easily grown in average, well-drained soil. While it has a wide tolerance for different soil conditions, ensure the site provides medium moisture, as this Fuzzy deutzia prefers consistently moist, humusy environments.
Watering should be consistent, especially when plants are young or during prolonged dry spells, as they require medium water inputs to thrive. Fertilization is generally unnecessary if planted in decent soil, fitting its low maintenance profile. The most crucial cultural practice involves pruning.
Because the stems of the Fuzzy deutzia are somewhat short-lived, annual pruning is necessary to maintain vigor and appearance. Always prune immediately after flowering concludes in the spring. This timing ensures you do not remove next year’s flower buds, which form shortly after blooming finishes. Focus on removing any dead or weak branches at the base during this spring window.
Landscape Uses
The uniform height and spread parameters of Deutzia scabra ‘Codsall Pink’ make it an excellent candidate for formal or informal hedging, providing a soft, colorful boundary. It excels when grouped in shrub borders, where its spring bloom can anchor the view before summer perennials take over. Furthermore, the shrub works well near building foundations if adequate space (4-8 ft spread) is provided for maturation away from the structure itself.
Consider planting this variety alongside later-blooming shrubs or evergreens to provide textural contrast through the summer and fall seasons. Its tolerance for average soil makes it reliable when used in woodland edges or mixed foundation plantings where conditions might vary slightly. The arching branches of the Fuzzy deutzia lend themselves well to softening hard architectural lines.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Deutzia scabra, commonly called fuzzy deutzia, is an upright, somewhat coarse, deciduous shrub that typically grows 6-10’ tall with spreading to arching branches that form a rounded crown. It is native to Japan and China. Mature branching is clad with exfoliating brown bark. Tiny, fragrant, star-shaped, white flowers (to 3/4” long) appear in late spring in upright racemose panicles (to 3-6” long) which cover the shrub for about two weeks. Flowers may be lightly tinged with pink or purple on the outside. Toothed, opposite, ovate to oblong-lanceolate, dull green leaves (to 4” long) are rough-textured and hairy on both sides; ‘Codsall Pink’ features fully double pink flowers.
Tolerances
No data available
Potential Problems
This shrub generally experiences no serious insect or disease problems, contributing to its reputation as a low-maintenance choice. However, occasionally, watch for aphids or minor leaf spot issues. Good air circulation, achieved through proper spacing and timely pruning of dead wood, helps mitigate fungal concerns like leaf spot. If aphids appear, they can usually be managed with a strong spray of water or horticultural oil applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Fuzzy deutzia suitable for?
The Fuzzy deutzia (Deutzia scabra ‘Codsall Pink’) is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 5 through 8.
How large does Deutzia scabra ‘Codsall Pink’ grow?
This deciduous shrub typically reaches a mature height between 6 and 10 feet, with a spread ranging from 4 to 8 feet wide.
When does Fuzzy deutzia bloom?
Deutzia scabra ‘Codsall Pink’ offers its striking display of pink double flowers from May into June.
What sun exposure does Deutzia scabra ‘Codsall Pink’ need?
For optimal flowering, aim for full sun, although this shrub will tolerate partial shade conditions.
Conclusion
The Fuzzy deutzia, or Deutzia scabra ‘Codsall Pink’, presents gardeners with a reliable, low-maintenance shrub boasting beautiful pink double blossoms each late spring. Its adaptable nature and manageable size make it an excellent structural element in borders and hedges. Before planting, confirm your site falls within USDA Zones 5-8 and plan your pruning schedule for immediately following the bloom time.
Companion Planting
When selecting companions for Deutzia scabra ‘Codsall Pink’, consider plants that appreciate similar moisture levels and bloom at different times to extend garden interest. Hostas and Astilbes thrive in humus-rich, moist soils and often pair well in partial shade areas, though they require more shade than the Deutzia prefers for maximum bloom. For sunnier spots, consider planting shorter perennials like Coral Bells (Heuchera) or Geraniums around the base to provide ground cover and contrast against the shrub’s mid-season foliage.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Spring preparation for your Fuzzy deutzia involves timely pruning immediately after the flowers fade to encourage strong renewal growth for the following year; prune out older, woody stems. In summer, monitor moisture levels, especially during dry spells, ensuring the soil remains medium moist. Fall is generally hands-off for this shrub, as it does not develop significant fall color. Winter requires little intervention, though checking for winter dieback on older branches in early spring allows for preventative removal before new growth starts.
