Side by side
Deutzia or weigela? How to tell them apart
Deutzia · Weigela
How to tell them apart – deutzia: shrub with rough, opposite leaves and in June masses of white or pink star-shaped flowers, hollow twigs and peeling bark; weigela: bell- or trumpet-shaped pink flowers and smooth leaves.
How do you recognise them?
- Deutzia
- Shrub with rough, opposite leaves and in June masses of white or pink star-shaped flowers; hollow twigs and peeling bark.
- Weigela
- Shrub with bell-shaped pink or red flowers in May–June.
- Compared with deutzia: bell- or trumpet-shaped pink flowers and smooth leaves.
| Deutzia | Weigela | |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves | Opposite, 3–10 cm, oval to lanceolate, finely toothed; rough as sandpaper because of star-shaped hairs. | Opposite, oval, 5–10 cm, toothed. |
| Flowering | Clusters of white or pink, five-petalled, often star-shaped flowers (1–2 cm) in May–June; double in some forms (May–June). | Trumpet-shaped pink, red or white flowers in May–June, sometimes a second flush (May–June). |
| Fruit | Small, globular capsules. | Small capsules. |
| Bark | Brown bark that peels in strips; older twigs are hollow. | Greyish-brown. |
| Shape and height | Shrub, 1–2.5 m | Shrub, 1.5–3 m |
| Site | Sun or partial shade, any garden soil, normal | Sun or partial shade, any garden soil, normal |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted | No, planted |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | – | Yes, for bees |
| Poisonous to people and pets | Not known to be poisonous | Not known to be poisonous |
| Pruning months | June–July | June–July |
What does it mean for your garden?
- Choose what suits your soil, your light and the space you have: see the growing conditions in the table.
Read on
- Plant profile: Deutzia
- Plant profile: Weigela
- Deutzia: when and how to prune
- Weigela: when and how to prune
- Identification key
Also looks like
This comparison is compiled from the Bladwijzer species pages.