Chardonnay Pearls® Deutzia

Deutzia gracilis 'Duncan'

Proven Winners®

Golden Foliage Chardonnay Pearls Deutzia Glows Year-Round with Chartreuse to Yellow Leaves
Thrives in Zones 5-9
Deer Resistant, Disease Resistant, Drought Tolerant
Native, Pollinator-Friendly - Attracts Hummingbirds
Showy White Blooms in Late Spring

$66²²

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Plant Size

#2 Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Full sun (at least 6 hours of direct light) produces the most abundant white blooms and the brightest chartreuse foliage. While it handles partial shade well, the leaf color will shift toward a deeper lime green and the flower count will decrease.
Soil: This plant thrives in moist, well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. If you have heavy clay, mix in a few handfuls of compost at planting to improve drainage; for sandy soil, add peat moss to help the roots hold onto moisture.

Watering Requirements

During the first growing season, water twice a week to ensure the root system anchors deeply into your soil. Once established, Chardonnay Pearls is quite drought tolerant, but providing a deep soak during summer dry spells prevents the delicate leaves from crisping at the edges. Inconsistent moisture during the bud-setting stage can lead to fewer "pearls" and a shorter bloom cycle the following spring.

Pruning Tips

Because this Deutzia blooms on old wood, you should only prune it immediately after the flowers fade in late spring. Think of it like a post-bloom haircut where you remove about one-third of the oldest stems down to the ground to encourage fresh, vigorous growth from the base. Pruning too late in the summer or winter will accidentally remove next year's flower buds, leaving you with only foliage.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer in early spring just as new growth begins to emerge. Avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers after mid-summer, as this forces soft, leafy growth that won't have time to harden off before the first frost. This late-season surge makes the plant more susceptible to winter dieback and tip burn.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Deer-resistant, Flowering, Fragrant, Evergreen
Hardiness Zone	5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Sunlight	Full sun, Partial shade
Height	2-3 ft
Width	2-3 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Preferred Soil	Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Growth Rate	Moderate
Growth Habit	Bushy, Compact, Spreading, Upright
Blooms In	Spring
Flower Color	White
Foliage Color	Green
Fragrant	Yes
Native	Yes
Pet Safety	Non-toxic to pets
Suitable Space	Indoors, Outdoors
Botanical Name	Deutzia gracilis 'Duncan'
Species	gracilis
Cultivar	Duncan
Class	Magnoliopsida
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

Bright, Effervescent Color Chardonnay Pearls® Deutzia

Sweetly Fragrant, Star-Shaped White Flowers in Spring
Bold Yellow Foliage Brings Season Long Color
Chartreuse Fall Color
Compact and Rounded
Use in Shrub Borders for Color Contrast
Perfect for Containers on the Patio
Brighten up Areas in Partial Shade
Deer Resistant

Rely on the colorful dwarf shrub Chardonnay Pearls® Deutzia, (Deutzia gracilis 'Duncan' PP#16098) in every planting bed to easily tie the entire design together. These bright landscape plants have been field-tested by the Proven Winners® team for years. They are easy-growing, and highly ornamental.

Start the year off right! You'll be thrilled with the numerous pearl-like buds borne on small bracts held above the leaves. They cover the plant in springtime.

Watch as the sweet buds open to reveal elegant, white, star-shaped blooms. You'll take great delight in their fragrant aroma.

Trim some for cunningly small bud vase arrangements to decorate your interior tablescapes. Charm yourself with a mini-bouquet on your bedside table, or on your home office desk.

Once the flowers have faded, the real show begins. All through the growing season, you'll enjoy bright yellow foliage on this small accent shrub.

These sparkling, small foliage shrubs will intoxicate you with their zesty color, well-balanced shape and smooth, easy-care nature. Use this special plant with wild abandon, as it's great for landscape designs that work all season-long.

Lance-shaped, willow-like foliage is held densely all the way to the ground. This plant works when seen at a distance, and when studied up close.

Let the relaxing, low-maintenance Chardonnay Pearls® Deutzia boost the visual appeal of your partially shaded spots in your landscape. Use them in containers, strategically placed to spotlight a "pop" of color where you need it.

As the nights turn cooler, the buttery foliage deepens to a vivid chartreuse. Chardonnay Pearls® Deutzia continues to behave as a well-balanced contrast to the season's mellow burgundy, reds, oranges and yellows for you.

Chardonnay Pearls® stays sweetly compact and delightfully rounded in shape. It's easy to tuck these diminutive shrubs wherever you could use definition and color in your space.

Order Chardonnay Pearls® Deutzia this season and enjoy their fragrant scent and color in your landscape for many years to come. You'll savor their very long season of interest, from early spring through late fall.

How to Use Chardonnay Pearls® Deutzia in the Landscape

Create impact with a long, continuous "ribbon" of color using a low hedge of Chardonnay Pearls® Deutzia. These can be placed as a backdrop in your perennial border, to line a walkway or in front of mature shrubs or trees.

To create a solid low hedge, plant 30-inches apart on center. Measure from the center of one to the center of the next.

They'll also be very effective in a mixed border. Partner with the arching form of burgundy Tiny Wine Ninebark, or play off the leaf shape with a large-leaved Hosta.

Show off your style with a series of exterior containers planted with Chardonnay Pearls®. If your pot is large enough, this compact shrub can be used as a gorgeous "Filler" plant.

Make people smile and plant this hard-working Deutzia variety in a high-traffic area. Everyone will enjoy the scented spring blooms and the season-long foliage color burst.

#ProPlantTips for Care

These deciduous shrubs are easy to grow and maintain. Plant them in the right spot and perform a few simple, routine tasks and you can enjoy many years of success with this beautiful plant.

Plant it where it receives at least four hours of sunlight a day. It does best in well-drained soil; so if your soil retains water, plant in a raised bed or container.

Provide a medium amount of even water on a regular basis. Apply a three-inch layer of mulch over the root system to reduce surface evaporation.

Wait until after flowering to lightly prune to shape directly after flowering. Use a pair of sharp garden snips to trim back the spent blooms, then enjoy a polished presentation all summer long.

It's a great year to order Chardonnay Pearls® Deutzia to enhance your garden, balcony, porch or patio. You'll be thrilled with the quality plant material from the expert growers at Nature Hills!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What USDA hardiness zones is Chardonnay Pearls® Deutzia suitable for?

Chardonnay Pearls® Deutzia thrives in USDA hardiness zones 5-8. This compact shrub handles both full sun and partial shade conditions well. Plant it in spring after the last frost for best establishment and enjoy fragrant white blooms followed by bright yellow foliage all season.

Does Chardonnay Pearls® Deutzia prefer full sun, partial shade, or full shade?

Chardonnay Pearls® Deutzia thrives in partial shade conditions. This compact shrub actually brightens up partially shaded areas with its bold yellow foliage and fragrant white spring blooms. Plant it where it gets morning sun but afternoon protection for best color development.

How often should I water my newly planted Chardonnay Pearls® Deutzia?

Water newly planted Chardonnay Pearls® Deutzia deeply 2-3 times per week for the first month. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged during establishment. Reduce frequency once roots develop, typically after 4-6 weeks.

When does Chardonnay Pearls® Deutzia bloom and what color are the flowers?

Chardonnay Pearls® Deutzia blooms in spring with fragrant, star-shaped white flowers that emerge from pearl-like buds. The sweetly scented blooms make excellent cut flowers for small arrangements indoors.

What size container does the plant come in and when will it ship?

Chardonnay Pearls® Deutzia ships in a 1-gallon container from Nature Hills Nursery. Shipping timing depends on your location and planting zone, with spring being optimal for establishment. Check naturehills.com for current availability and shipping schedules to your area.

Is Chardonnay Pearls® Deutzia susceptible to any common diseases or pests?

Chardonnay Pearls® Deutzia is generally disease and pest resistant, with deer resistance being a notable feature. This hardy shrub rarely experiences serious issues when grown in proper conditions. Ensure good air circulation and avoid overwatering to prevent any potential fungal problems.

Chardonnay Pearls® Deutzia

Deutzia gracilis 'Duncan'