Yuki Cherry Blossom®

Yuki Cherry Blossom Deutzia is an easygoing shrub that settles in quickly with a little attention during its first season.

Planting

1. Unbox right away. Remove packaging, water the root ball, and set the plant in a shaded spot for a day or two to recover from shipping.
2. Pick a bright site. Choose a location with 4 or more hours of direct sun; full sun gives the heaviest bloom and best fall color.
3. Dig wide, not deep. Make the hole twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth, so the top of the root ball sits level with the soil surface.
4. Loosen and backfill. Tease apart any circling roots, backfill with native soil amended with compost, and firm gently to remove air pockets.
5. Space for coverage. Set plants 12-24 inches apart for a solid groundcover effect, or a bit wider for individual mounds.
6. Mulch and water in. Add 2 inches of mulch, keeping it off the stems, then water deeply.

Watering

• First season. Water deeply once or twice a week, more often in heat or on well-drained slopes.
• Established plants. Water during extended dry spells; this shrub is adaptable but performs best with even moisture.
• Containers. Check pots every day or two in summer and water when the top inch of mix feels dry.

Feeding

• Time it early. Apply a balanced slow-release shrub fertilizer in early spring as new growth begins.
• Keep it light. One feeding per year is plenty; excess nitrogen pushes leaves at the expense of flowers.

Pruning

• Prune after flowering. Blooms form on old wood, so any shaping should happen right after the spring show ends.
• Shear lightly. A light trim keeps the mound tidy; avoid hard cuts in late summer, fall, or winter or you will remove next year's buds.
• Renew as needed. Remove a few of the oldest stems at the base every couple of years to keep growth fresh.

Winter Care

• Mulch for insulation. Refresh mulch in fall to protect roots in zone 5 and 6 winters.
• Expect bare stems. This is a deciduous shrub, so leaves drop in fall and regrow in spring.

How big does Yuki Cherry Blossom Deutzia get?

It stays low and mounded, reaching about 12-24 inches tall and 12-24 inches wide, which is why it works so well as a flowering groundcover or low border.

Is it deer resistant?

Yes. Deutzia is generally passed over by deer, and Yuki Cherry Blossom is noted for its deer resistance. No plant is completely deer proof if browsing pressure is severe.

When and how should I prune it?

Prune immediately after the spring flowers fade. It blooms on old wood, so pruning in late summer, fall, or winter will cut off the buds for next spring's display.

Will it grow in a container?

Yes. Its compact, mounded habit makes it a good filler in patio pots and mixed containers. Use a pot with drainage holes, water more often than in-ground plants, and grow it in a zone where it is hardy or protect the pot in winter.

Does it lose its leaves in winter?

Yes, it is deciduous. The green foliage turns an attractive burgundy-purple in fall, drops for winter, and returns in spring.

How many should I plant for groundcover on a slope?

Space plants 12-24 inches apart on center. Tighter spacing fills in faster for a continuous carpet of pink bloom, which is ideal on sunny slopes.