'Crystalina' Summersweet Clethra Clethra alnifolia 'Crystalina'
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- KLETH-rah al-nih-FOH-lee-ah
- Description
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'Crystalina', is a summersweet cultivar shrub in the Clethraceae family commonly sold under the trade name of SUGARTINA. It was bred at North Carolina State University.
Growing 2-3 feet tall and 3-5 feet wide, this cultivar tolerates wet soil in full sun to shade but does best in light, dappled shade. Plant in consistently moist, acidic, sandy to clay soils. It is moderately salt tolerant. Prune in late winter as blooming occurs on the current year's growth.
The fragrant white flowers appear in narrow clusters resembling a bottle brush in July and August providing late summer color. The leaves have a yellow fall color.
Use this shrub in the border, as a foundation plant, along streams and ponds or in a woodland garden. Plant it near the patio to enjoy the fragrance.
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:
- Fowers 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:
- Perennial
- 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:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- 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, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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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. er.
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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:
- 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
- Garden for the Blind
- 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
