Like Philadelphus, Deutzia is a genus of about 60 species which produce goblet-shaped clumps of cane-like growths bearing fragrant flowers in summer. I have always found them a bit unkempt and leggy, plus I can’t bear the slightly sour scent. But at a distance they make excellent shrubs for the back of a border or the informal fringes of a woodland garden. They are hardy, unfussy and disease free. Provided they are well maintained they are unquestionably a class act, exemplified by this pretty pink variety we spotted at the weekend.
