Ningbo deutzia is a medium-sized, deciduous shrub with an open habit and flaking bark. The shrub is a member of the hydrangea family (Hydrangeaceae). Ning-po deutzia is a native of Central and Southeast China, and it is typically found in mixed forests, mountain slopes and valleys. The species epithet is Latinized Chinese and means “of Ningbo,” referring to the port city of Ningbo (previously Anglicized as Ningpo), in eastern China, south of Shanghai. The Chinese word ningbo means "serene waves." The shrub grows in moist, well-drained soils of any type. Once established, it can tolerate occasional droughts. It flowers best in full sun but tolerates partial shade. The shrub tolerates pruning, but keep in mind that blossoms will appear on old growth. The shrub matures to a height from 3 to 8 feet in 5 to 10 years and is nearly as wide. The stems are reddish-brown. The leaves have a papery texture and are densely hairy on the undersides of the leaf. The star-shaped flowers are white or pinkish and are arranged in clusters measuring 2 to 5 inches long. Ningbo deutzia is expected to thrive in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 to 8. This low-maintenance and drought-tolerant shrub may be used on banks or slopes or in flower beds and borders. It may be used in a children’s, Asian, or cottage garden. Seasons of Interest: flaky bark reddish-brown stems ovate to lance-shaped, simple leaves, serrate to entire margins, green upper surface, and grayish-green hairy undersides star-shaped white or pinkish flowers arranged in clusters measuring 2 to 5 inches long tiny fruit capsule follows flowers Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Ningbo deutzia is generally pest and disease-free. More information on Deutzia .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheBuddleja alternifoliaDeutzia x lemoineiSyringa pubescens subsp. pubescens
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Perennial; Shrub
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Open
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Oblong; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire; Serrate
Leaf feel
Papery
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
The leaves are ovate to oblong or lanceolate. They measure 1 to 3.5 inches long and 0.5 to 1.25 inches wide. The upper surface is green, and the lower surface is grayish-green. They are papery and more densely hairy on the undersides. The margins may be slightly serrate or entire. The base of the leaf is rounded, and the tips are pointed.
Flower color
Pink; White
Flower value
Fragrant
Flower form
Panicle
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
The flowers are showy, slightly fragrant, and white or pink. Each flower is star-shaped. They appear in loose clusters that measure 2 to 5 inches long and 1 to 2.5 inches wide. The flowers bloom from May to July.
Bloom time
Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The fruit is a capsule that is a half-circle in shape, measures 4 to 5 mm in diameter, and is densely hairy. The fruit is present from September through October.
Bark detail
The bark is flaky or peeling.
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
The stems have hairs and are reddish-brown.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Central and Southeast China
Distribution
Native: China North-Central, China South-Central, and China Southeast