A Doozy of a Shrub

Have you ever bought a plant simply because it has a ridiculous name? I once bought a penstemon named Whippleanus because I couldn't even think about the plant without laughing. And not just polite giggles, mind you. But full-on belly laughs until I had to run for the bathroom. Despite my best efforts, penstemon Whippleanus died, possibly hit by an assteroid.

The queen of my late spring garden is a magnificent shrub with the absurd name of fuzzy deutzia 'Pink a Boo'. Robust and generous of blossom, she holds court near the garden gate, taunting the clematis with her beauty as she hums along with the bees.

Silver lamium 'Pink Nancy' grows in the shade under the deutzia. Chance, the little rat terrier, was rescued from an animal shelter and is my constant shadow.

 I prune it after it's done flowering to guarantee a repeat performance next May.

I love the plump little pink buds.

The flowers aren't fragrant, but their beauty more than makes up for it.

Bees of all types can be found foraging among the flowers. 

Deutzia is very easy to grow in a slightly moist spot. All this beauty for such little fuss!