'Crystalina' Summersweet Clethra Clethra alnifolia 'Crystalina' PP21,561
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- KLETH-rah al-nih-FOH-lee-ah
- Description
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Clethra alnifolia is the only species of Clethra native to North America. It grows naturally in poorly drained, moist soils, becoming larger and producing more suckers if provided with plenty of water (once established, it can thrive in drier conditions, but does not tolerate drought). C. alnifolia are unique among flowering shrubs because of their ability to bloom in shady locations in late summer when few other shrubs are in bloom.
'Crystalina', is a cultivar of C. alnifolia, commonly sold under the trade name of SUGARTINA. It is a diminutive and refined summersweet with showy, fragrant flowers. If you reign in the height of Summersweet with pruning, it greatly expands the potential of this native shrub in modern landscapes. Selected from a population of seedlings derived from an open pollinated 'Ruby Spice', 'Crystalina' provides a handsome improvement with a compact, rounded form. Flowers are particularly showy with long, floriferous racemes. It roots readily from softwood cuttings.
Like other Clethra, this cultivar tolerates wet soil. It will grow in full sun, but does best in light, dappled shade. Clethra prefer part shade and consistently moist, acidic, sandy soils. Soils should not be allowed to dry out. It tolerates clay soils and full shade and is excellent for coastal gardens due to salt-spray tolerance.
Insects, Diseases and Other Problems:
In hot or dry conditions, the plant is susceptible to damage caused by spider mites, which can be severe.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Clethra
- Species:
- alnifolia
- Family:
- Clethraceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- It is used for soap (flowers produce lather when crushed in water).
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeastern United States
- Distribution:
- North Carolina south to Florida and west to Texas.
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Clethra is an excellent plant in pollinator gardens. The fragrant, white flowers and nectar are very attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Many birds and mammals eat the fruit and aid in seed dispersal. Deer will eat it only when other forage vegetation is limited.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Defines Paths
- Fragrance
- Wildlife Cover/Habitat
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Rebounds from fire in the landscape. Soil compaction tolerant.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a, 8a, 8b, 9b, 9a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Black, peppercorn-like capsules which persist throughout winter.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Showy and fragrant, lasting up to 6 weeks during the middle of summer when other flowering shrubs are not blooming due to heat! Intense spicy fragrant, white, long, floriferous racemes, formed by up to 100 individual flowers. Flowering occurs on the current season's growth. Black, peppercorn-like capsules that persist throughout winter. Good identification feature.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblong
- Obovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Alternate, simple, glossy, sharply serrated medium to deep green leaves; 1½ to 4 inches long; often woolly or tomentose below; it is late to leaf out in spring and has outstanding pale yellow to golden-brown fall color.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Exfoliating
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Pond
- Recreational Play Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Children's Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Erosion
- Fire
- Salt
- Wet Soil
