Summary
Summer sweet clethra (Clethra alnifolia) is a gem that brightens up the garden border during a quiet time of the season. This 5-8′ tall shrub is multi-stemmed, thriving in full sun to part shade. ‘Hummingbird’ cultivar is more compact, growing only 3-4′ tall. ‘Tom’s Compact’ cultivar has a similarly small stature, with darker, glossier leaves. It prefers moist, sandy, and acidic soils but will tolerate clay with average moisture. Summer sweet clethra has a suckering habit, which can be utilized on pond margins and streambanks to decrease soil erosion. Pruning (if desired) should be done in late winter.
Summer sweet clethra blooms during mid-summer with a profusion of fragrant, white bottlebrush-like flowers. ‘Ruby Spice’ cultivar sports pink flowers. Flowers turn into round seedpods which provide winter interest. This deciduous shrub has shiny, dark green leaves that turn an attractive yellow in fall.
How to Grow Summersweet Clethra
Combine summer sweet clethra with other moist-loving, suckering shrubs like American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis), pussy willow (Salix discolor), redosier dogwood (Swida sericea), and American hazelnut (Corylus americana) for a naturalistic erosion barrier. Zones 3-9.
More Details
- Plant Type
shrub - Sun/Shade Conditions
full-sun-to-partial-shade - Foliage Character
deciduous - Soil Moisture
average-to-moist - Flowering Period
mid-summer - Soil PH
acidic - Flower Color
white - Summer Foliage Color
green - Fall Foliage Color
yellow - Other Common Names
sweet pepperbush - Fruit/Seed Color
brown