Deutzia Week

2008/23: Around town, the tiny white flowers of hybrid Pyracantha in masses on the thorny branches are a common eyecatcher at the start of this week. Most are the 'Red Column' cultivar, with a few 'Orange Glow' mixed in to add variety to the effect when the berries arrive. Right now they all look much the same. I have not been able to find any discussion about their ancestry, though 'Orange Glow' was sold to us under the name P. crenatoserrata. Whether that is botanically correct or not I cannot say. In their discreet way, the various Hebe bushes are joining in the merriment with sparse white flowers. Late rhododendrons, like the mauve one conveniently hiding a neighbour's bins, are just coming into flower. The Deutzia x magnifica shrubs are just starting to burst forth, as is Kalmia latifolia. By the end of this week, both reach their peak of delicate beauty. Perennial peonies are blooming, and Lilium henryii too.