crenate pride-of-Rochester

Deutzia crenata Siebold & Zucc.

Deutzia crenata brings together delicate white flowers and surprisingly rough foliage. This deciduous Japanese shrub can reach about three metres, with reddish-brown flowering branches and clusters of small blossoms. Its position in the hydrangea family connects it with familiar garden shrubs, although its individual flowers have their own distinctive structure. Flora of China: Deutzia crenata

Botanical name

Kew accepts Deutzia crenata in Hydrangeaceae. Deutzia scabra var. crenata is its homotypic synonym; horticultural use of D. scabra has also included misidentifications. Plants of the World Online: Deutzia crenata Flora of New Zealand: Deutzia crenata

Recognizing the plant

Leaves occur in opposite pairs and taper toward pointed tips. Tiny, star-shaped hairs cover the branches and occur on both leaf surfaces; their microscopic branching helps explain the rough texture. The white petals are narrowly elliptic, surrounding stamens whose filaments have paired teeth. Many flowers gather into branched panicles. Small, approximately hemispherical capsules follow the flowers. Short leaf stalks remain present along the flowering shoots, an important detail when separating this plant from shrubs historically sold under the name Deutzia scabra. Flora of China: Deutzia crenata Flora of New Zealand: Deutzia crenata

Bloom window

China

For cultivated and naturalized plants in China, the flora records April–May flowering and August–October fruiting. Flora of China: Deutzia crenata

Native range

Kew recognizes Japan as its native range. Flora of China describes it there as cultivated and sometimes naturalized, distinguishing those populations from its Japanese origin. Plants of the World Online: Deutzia crenata Flora of China: Deutzia crenata

Botanical sources

Reviewed 2026-10-11. Seasonal development varies with location and growing conditions.