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'Nikko'
Deutzia gracilis 'Nikko' is an outstanding low-growing flowering shrub introduced by the National Arboretum. Well suited for small spaces or used as a groundcover, its fine-textured, compact growth habit and profuse, brilliant white blossoms distinguish 'Nikko' as an elite plant for any garden. 'Nikko' will spread to 5 feet in 10 years. Its gently arching branches are covered by flowers in late April and early May. Highly effective in containers or cascading over a low wall. Recognition: The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Gold Medal Award, 1989.
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'Nikko' Slender Deutzia | |
Botanical Name: | Deutzia gracilis 'Nikko' (NA 41040) |
Family: | Saxifragaceae |
Hardiness: | U.S.D.A. Zones 5-8 |
Development: | 'Nikko' was selected for its horticultural merit under the name Deutzia nakaiana from Watanabe Nursery, Gotemba City, Japan in 1976 by former USNA director John L. Creech and Chief Horticulturist Sylvester G. March. In the 1980's the nomenclature was changed to D. crenata var. nakaiana. USNA taxonomist Frederick G. Meyer and Roy Davidson, Bellevue, WA later determined this plant to be a variant of D. gracilis, the slender deutzia. The cultivar name 'Nikko' appears to have been coined by British nurseryman C.G. Hollett of Greenbank Nursery, Cumbria, England in 1976-77. Introduced in the late 1980's. |
Significance: | Compact, low growing habit is highly desirable and a significant improvement over the leggy habit of other deutzia varieties. Considered one of the best deutzia cultivars. |
Description: |
Height and Width: 2 feet tall and spreading to 5 feet in 10 years. Habit: Deciduous, low-growing flowering shrub. Gently arching branches. Foliage: Fine-textured, light green, willow-like leaves turn a deep burgundy in autumn. Flowers: Profuse panicles of small, pure white flowers 1/8 to 1/4 inch long in late April to early May. Effective for 1-2 weeks. |
Culture: | Tolerates many soil types, pH and light conditions. Flowers more profusely in full sun with abundant moisture. Benefits from light afternoon shade in areas with high temperatures. |
Propagation: | Roots easily by natural layering or softwood cuttings under mist, 1000 - 3000 ppm IBA, in 4-6 weeks. |
Landscape Use: | Excellent deciduous flowering groundcover for rock garden or perennial border. Spectacular flowering container plant. Well suited to the small garden. |
Availability: | Readily available from mail-order firms and retail and wholesale nurseries. |
U.S. National Arboretum Plant Introduction Floral and Nursery Plants Research Unit U.S. National Arboretum, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 3501 New York Ave., N.E., Washington, DC 20002 |
Last Updated January 14, 2002
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