Deutzia Scabra Pride of Rochester

Deutzia Scabra Pride of Rochester is a deciduous flowering shrub with arching branches and double white scented flowers in early summer. It’s an excellent border filler and holds the RHS AGM.

Deutzias are native to Asia with the Scabra cultivars specific to China and Japan where they grow in woods and on scrublands. The Pride of Rochester variety has been grown in the UK since the late 1800s and with good reason! It’s a beautiful shrub with arching branches of lightly serrated ovate green leaves that cascade from the crown to the soil. In late spring and early summer, it produces long clusters of honey-scented double white flowers with a pink flush on the outside. Flowers last for about a month and have a fuzzy look to them that gives Deutzia Scabra its common name of Fuzzy Deutzia.

Pride of Rochester is time-tested and a big favourite for borders and plant containers. Its flowers never cease to dazzle when they become the main attraction of spring / early summer. 

Height And Spread of Deutzia Scabra Pride of Rochester
Deutzia Scabra Pride of Rochester can grow to 2.5 metres tall and spread a little less over 5-10 years.

How Hardy Is Deutzia Scabra Pride of Rochester
Deutzia Scabra is hardy enough to cope with freezing temperatures if its roots are well-drained in winter.

How To Use Deutzia Scabra Pride of Rochester
Deutzia Scabra Pride of Rochester is best grown in a large mixed border that catches the sun. Its pretty flowers suit a cottage-style garden and are pollinator magnets in low-maintenance spaces.

Deutzia Scabra can get large and needs space to grow to its full potential. It likes a woodland garden, some shelter from a wall or other trees, and will grow in a large container if it’s kept well-watered and fed in the growing season.

How To Care For Deutzia Scabra Pride of Rochester
Deutzia Scabra Pride of Rochester prefers a sheltered, sunny spot in moist, fertile soil and will struggle to flower in shade. Near a sheltered wall in full sun where it can soak up heat is best.
It will grow in the majority of soils including chalk if it’s well-drained and kept moist. Deutzia appreciates a thick layer of mulch in early spring and water in hot spells. Lack of water can lead to flower failure.
Deutzia Scabra benefits from an annual prune that should be carried out immediately after flowering. They flower on the previous year’s growth, so early pruning gives time to regenerate new, healthy growth for next year’s flowers. Cut out all damaged, dead, or diseased branches and trim back to strong young shoots further down. How far you prune depends on the size you want to keep the shrub. Once a year remove 20% of old stems at ground level. This pruning regime invigorates Deutzia Scabra and keeps it flowering for years.