Deutzia scabra 'Punctata'

Deutzia scabra 'Punctata' is a variety of Deutzia appreciated for its beautiful variegated foliage. It forms a medium-sized bush. The prolific white spring flowering on beautifully arched branches adds a nice touch to a very ornamental foliage, as if splashed or marbled with grey and light green on a cream or dark green background. At the time of flowering, between the white flowers and the brightness of the foliage, the bush is studded with light. Like other Deutzias, it has vigorous growth and is fairly easy to cultivate as long as it is given the right starting conditions. It reaches its full potential in partial shade, especially since its delicate foliage prefers to avoid the assault of the scorching sun. Its reasonable size makes it suitable for all gardens, in deep, rich, and well-drained soil.

Deutzia scabra belongs to the Hydrangea family. This species is native to China and Japan, but is also found in Pakistan. This large-sized bush has an upright habit in its early years, which widens with age and reaches a height of 3 metres (10 feet) and a spread of 2 metres (7 feet) in adulthood. Its flexible branches slightly arch at their tips. Its bark, cinnamon in colour, peels off in adulthood. The 'Punctata' variety shows more modest growth, reaching 1.50 metres (5 feet) in all directions at maturity. It flowers in May and June in panicles of white star-shaped flowers. Its deciduous leaves are a fairly dark matte green, or cream-white, more or less splashed with light green and grey, giving some leaves a predominantly light colour, while others are predominantly dark green. They are oval-shaped, elongated lanceolate, measuring 4 to 7cm (2 to 3in) in length, and have toothed edges.

Deutzia scabra and its cultivars are very hardy, but they fear drought and shallow soils. It is necessary to protect the variegated foliage of 'Punctata' from the scorching sun and strong winds. It tolerates calcareous soils as long as they are deep, rich, and well-drained. This particularly ornamental bush can be planted individually in a small sheltered garden. In a flowerbed or a small free, flowering, or mixed hedge, it is associated with other shrubs with staggered flowering such as spireas, ornamental apple trees, Kolkwitzias. In front of a dark-leaved Elderberry, it offers a striking contrast. Similarly, evergreen shrubs with dark green foliage enhance its luminous foliage. Consider conifers, or Osmanthus burkwoodii for example.