Deutzia × hybrida Lemoine

An important group of hybrid deutzias raised by Lemoine and put into commerce 1925-36. One parent was D. longifolia; the other is usually given as D. discolor but it may be that D. purpurascens or D. × elegantissima were used. The type of the group is ‘Mont Rose’, which was put into commerce in 1925 as D. hybrida MontRose. Leaves narrowly ovate, sharply toothed, to 31⁄2 in. long. Flowers fuchsia purple, slightly crimped at the margins; anthers golden yellow. Others in this group are: ‘Contraste’, with gracefully arching branches; flowers star-shaped, similar in colour to ‘Mont Rose’, but with a darker stripe on the reverse of the petals. ‘Magicien’ is similar, but the petals are edged with white. In ‘Joconde’ the flowers are white, about 11⁄4 in. across, purple in bud and on the reverse of the petals. Finally, ‘Perle Rose’ has smaller flowers than in other members of the group, but freely borne. They are pale pink.