Fashion for plants comes and goes, and deutzia has been more noticeable in recent years as shrubs continue to regain popularity. Of course, people always grew shrubs, especially in older gardens, but for more than two decades the emphasis has been very much on non-woody plants. But fashions change and the merits of good shrubs have become more valued. Such merits include bulk, presence and massive flowering.

Deutzia is a perfect example of why shrubs have come back into favour. It is quick-growing, of good size and free-flowering in a reliable manner. It gets its name from an 18th century Dutch naturalist, Johann van der Deutz. It is easier to absorb botanical names if there is connection to a person.

Deutzia is in the hydrangea family, native to China, and many varieties have been bred in France where this plant has long been appreciated.

The usual kind seen is Deutzia x rosea, a compact and rounded bush, covered with small sprays of starry pink flowers. One of the best is Mont Rose, which is vigorous, with erect, then arching, stems and beautifully covered with soft-pink flowers.

Rosealind has white flowers, flushed pink. Perle Rose is another of these hybrids, with light pink flowers. A very graceful plant. Joconde is white.

The latest variety on the scene is Strawberry Fields, which has open, slightly nodding flowers, rich-pink, with a white edge to the petals that gives them a lively appearance. At first, its leaves are yellowish green, which is a strong combination with the rich-pink flowers.

One of the reasons that deutzia, and other shrubs, lost prominence was the issue of pruning. People have an aversion to pruning, but it is not all that difficult. Deutzia can easily grow to two metres, or a bit more for some varieties, but the best sorts have been selected for their relatively small size.

If there is room for them to grow, they can be left to gain size, especially in a rural garden where space is less likely to be at a premium.

Most of the varieties are upright in growth, with the shoots arching out at the top. Some arch their branches more than others and some can become a bit shapeless, but they can be pruned to improve their looks and to keep them to a manageable size. Pruning is done immediately after flowering in summer.

Some of the older shoots should be cut out low down on the bush to encourage new young growth. First choose the worst-placed shoots to take out, as this improves the shape of the plant. Other flowered shoots can be shortened back a bit to make the growth more bushy.

Do not be tempted to clip over the bush with a hedge-clippers as this will tend to make a rounded bush without its natural arching character, and also tends to reduce flowering as the older shoots are not removed and growth goes into a raft of weak shoots, ensuring that each shoot has fewer flowers. The plant does not suffer from frost and is easy to grow in ordinary soil. It loses its leaves in winter, but has quite good foliage most of the year when not in flower.

It does best in a sunny spot in good soil that does not dry out too much in summer, not too close to the competition of roots of bigger shrubs or trees. It can take some light shade for part of the day, but the more sunshine, the better the flowering.

Fruit crops doing well

Fruit crops don’t seem to have been affected by the exceptionally cold and wet spring too badly. Although the weather was cold with a lot of northeasterly wind, there was no severe frost.

Cold and windy weather tends to affect the foraging of pollinating insects and, therefore, pollination. This seems to have happened in more exposed gardens. Where more shelter is available, fruit set seems to be reasonable.

Some trees are in resting mode following heavy crops last year. Even though only a relatively small percentage of fruit flowers are pollinated, a good crop of fruit can still be achieved. This can also be seen against a background of a very dramatic decline in honey bee numbers. However, bumblebees appear to be more plentiful and they can operate in cooler conditions.

Flowers

Continue watering and feeding flower containers of all kinds. The plentiful rain has greatly encouraged weed growth, so tackle weeds in flower borders now. There are always a few weeds that survive, often in the middle of a clump of some plant or other. Pull these out now.

Fruit, veg & herbs

Keep up the sprays for potato blight. The early varieties will generally be used up before the disease harms the tubers. Remove vegetables that have gone over. Make some late sowings of lettuce and radishes. Sweetcorn has grown well after a slow start. Most vegetables are growing well.

Trees, shrubs & roses

Rambling roses should be pruned as the flowers fade, removing the shoots that have just flowered. Young trees and shrubs are doing well, although some are still suffering from the effects of the early summer drought. Despite rainfall, these should get a good soaking if growth is slow.

Lawns

Lawns are looking well after a few weeks of broken weather, sunshine and showers, and some lawn fertiliser could be used to set up a lawn for the rest of the summer, if this has not already been done. Keep the grass cut and the edges neat – nothing sets off plants as well as a neat lawn.

Greenhouse

& house plants

Check for greenflies, scale insects and red spider mites on greenhouse plants. Continue watering and feeding greenhouse plants, but only feed for a few more weeks. Make sure to water indoor pots or grow-bags regularly as these can easily dry out.