Common names: Deutzia, Fuzzy Deutzia, Fuzzy Pride-of-Rochester, Godsall Pink
Family: Hydrangeaceae
Life form: Shrub
History & Introduction
Originating from Japan and China, members of the Deutzia genus were brought to the United States throughout the 19th and 20th century as objects of horticultural intrigue. In addition to boasting showy displays of white blooms, Deutzia sp. was often cited as being highly adaptable to a variety of climate and soil conditions, while also being pest and wildlife resistant—the latter of which is due to a lack of native predators in their new habitat.
Identification & Biology
When it escapes from gardens, Deutzia is primarily found in and at the edges of woodlands and forests. While Deutzia prefers moist, well-drained soils, it can tolerate wetter conditions. Sun requirements for Deutzia are also highly variable, and this genus has proven adaptable to both full sun and heavy shade.
Form: A woody shrub. Its silhouette may vary depending on the variety, from bush-like with straight to arching branches to resembling a small tree. A notable feature of mature Deutzia bark is its peeling nature. Stems are hollow at the center. Typical size ranges from 3-10 ft tall, by 3-6 ft wide.
Leaves: All Deutzia leaves are arranged oppositely on the stem and exhibit serrated margins. The easiest way to differentiate between species is to observe the leaves immediately below the inflorescences (flower clusters).
- D. scabra: Contains dimorphic leaves. Unlike the rest of its foliage, the leaves beneath inflorescences are sessile (lacking a stem connecting leaf to the branch) to clasping (leaf base wrapped around the branch). The base of these leaves may also appear blunt or truncate.
- D. crenata: The leaves beneath the inflorescences are petiolate (exhibiting a stem connecting leaf to branch). The base of these leaves are rounded.
Flowers: Found on panicle or raceme inflorescences. Primarily white in color, with select varieties showing pink accents or gradients on the outermost petals. The number of petals can vary drastically, with some plants exhibiting flowers with layers of petals (also known as double petaled flowers), while others may provide the more stereotypical display of five petals per flower. Flowers are up to an inch in length, containing ten stamens. Blooms last about two weeks, occurring in the months of May, June, and July.
Fruits: Round, multi-chambered capsules which turn brown at maturity. ¼ inch in diameter. Each fruit can contain two or more seeds.
Damage & Concern
The absence of native predators gives this fast-spreading shrub an advantage in its new environment. As it is still legal to buy and sell Deutzia across the states, the horticulture trade remains a pathway for its spread. However, sales aren’t the only means by which Deutzia has expanded its range. Deutzia is known to have success at both self-seeding and propagating by cuttings, and as a result, can form dense thickets which directly compete with native biodiversity for resources and space, all while contributing little ecological benefit to the surrounding land.
Management
The best time to remove young sprouts of Deutzia is in the spring, when foliage is just emerging. If performing a mechanical removal, aim to uproot as much of the plant as possible to prevent it from growing back or sending up young shoots.
If dealing with mature individuals or with younger individuals that could not be managed in the spring, the best time to manage Deutzia is in the fall, as foliage is dying back. Cut back the plant as much as possible and apply herbicide to the stumps. Standard herbicides such as glyphosate and triclopyr have been found to be effective against Deutzia, though it is always important to consult the herbicide label and state regulations before use.
Monitoring & Reporting
As Deutzia species ranks as a Tier 3 in LIISMA’s Early Detection and Rapid Response program, we urge you to please report any sightings of the plant to iMap or iNaturalist. Your observations are key to our mission, as they allow us to respond to emerging populations before becoming a larger threat to New York.
iMap is a network for invasive species reporting, allowing concerned parties like LIISMA to discern where invasive species may be popping up, or their geographic extent. Similarly, iNaturalist functions as a biodiversity reporting platform for all kinds of living things—native or non-native—and can help anyone identify and share what species are inhabiting a given area.
If you are interested in playing a bigger part in protecting our local flora and fauna, consider joining LIISMA’s Invasive Species Spotter Program! This program teaches you how to spot emerging invasive species as they arise, giving you valuable detection skills against occurrences of invasive species that were not previously on LIISMA’s radar.
Sources
Brock, M. (2022) Deutzia crenata (Hydrangeaceae), the identity of the common invasive Deutzia in the United States. Phytoneuron. https://www.phytoneuron.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/21PhytoN-Deutziacrenata.pdf
NC Cooperative Extension. Deutzia crenata. North Carolina Extension Garden Plant Toolbox. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/deutzia-crenata/
Mack, D. (2020) Deutzias, old and new. Dave’s Garden. https://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/deutzias-old-and-new
Patrick Breen. (2025) Deutzia scabra. Landscape Plants, Oregon State University. https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/deutzia-scabra
Flower Database. (2025) Deutzia crenata. Science & Technology Inst., Co. https://www.flower-db.com/en/flowers/deutzia-crenata
Go Botany. (2025) Deutzia scabra – fuzzy pride of Rochester. Native Plant Trust. https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/deutzia/scabra/
NY Natural Heritage Program. (2025) New York State Invasive Species Tiers. New York Natural Heritage Program.
https://www.nynhp.org/invasives/species-tiers-table/
Forest Health Staff. (2006) Weed of the Week: Fuzzy Pride-of-Rochester. USDA Forest Service.
https://www.invasive.org/weedcd/pdfs/wow/fuzzy-pride-of-rochester.pdf
