Summersweet Clethra alnifolia
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Summersweet:
- Phonetic Spelling
- KLETH-rah al-nih-FOH-lee-ah
- Description
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Sweet Pepperbush is a deciduous shrub that may grow to 5 to 10 feet. and is native to eastern North America from Maine south to FL and west to TX. The leaves are alternate with a finely toothed margin. The bark is gray and loosely striped. Small, white flowers occurring in dense clusters on long 3- to 6-inch terminal spikes mature in late summer. The shrub produces a brown, dry capsule that matures in the fall.
‘Sixteen Candles’ and ‘Hummingbird’ are compact shrubs with white flowers. ‘Rosea,’ ‘Pink Spires’ and ‘Ruby Spice’ are three pink-flowered cultivars. ‘Ruby Spice’ is the darkest pink color, which holds even in the coastal plains. ‘Sherry Sue’ sports white flowers and bright red stems. ‘September Beauty’ is noteworthy for flowering later in the season. Another interesting species, Clethra tomentosa, has foliage that has soft, short hairs, and very long racemes.
Fire Risk: This plant has a low flammability rating.
Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: Spider mites may be a concern in dry conditions. When planted in the proper site, it is insect- and disease- resistant.
Quick ID Hints:
- fragrant racemes of white flowers
- blooms mid to late summer
- persistent fruit capsules
- Serrated leaves are usually entire toward base
Upright, deciduous shrub 5- 8' tall and 4- 6' wide.
Blooms in July and August on current season growth. Late to leaf out in spring. Fall foliage is yellow-green to golden brown. Good as screen, specimen, in groupings or shrub border. Pest free except for spider mites.
Prefers moist, acidic soil with organic material, full sun to partial shade, avoid hot, dry sites.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Foundation Planting- West Side of House
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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'Crystalinia'
- 'Hummingbird'
- 'Paniculata'
- 'Pinkspire'
- 'Rosea'
- 'Ruby Spice'
- 'September Beauty'
- 'Sherry Sue'
- 'Sixteen Candles'
- 'White Doves'
Showy, fragrant flowers - 'Hummingbird'
- 'Crystalinia', 'Hummingbird', 'Paniculata', 'Pinkspire' , 'Rosea', 'Ruby Spice', 'September Beauty', 'Sherry Sue', 'Sixteen Candles', 'White Doves'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
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'Crystalinia'
- 'Hummingbird'
- 'Paniculata'
- 'Pinkspire'
- 'Rosea'
- 'Ruby Spice'
- 'September Beauty'
- 'Sherry Sue'
- 'Sixteen Candles'
- 'White Doves'
Showy, fragrant flowers - 'Hummingbird'
- 'Crystalinia', 'Hummingbird', 'Paniculata', 'Pinkspire' , 'Rosea', 'Ruby Spice', 'September Beauty', 'Sherry Sue', 'Sixteen Candles', 'White Doves'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Clethra
- Species:
- alnifolia
- Family:
- Clethraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern USA
- Distribution:
- Maine to Florida and west to Texas
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Hummingbirds, butterflies, native bees, and other pollinators are attracted to the blooms. Fruits are eaten by birds and small mammals.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Edible fruit
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- fire in the landscape. Soil compaction tolerant.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 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
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5b, 5a, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9b, 9a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Brown capsules which persist through winter. Dry, 3-valved, dehiscent, pubescent, 1/8" diameter capsule that turns brown in fall and persists for a year or more. Fruit displays from September to October
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Fragrant white flowers appear as dense, narrow, cylindric spikes, 2-6 inches long, which are often clustered together at branch ends. Blooms on new growth. Racemes - 3-5" long, showy. Numerous, fragrant, small white flowers. They bloom from June to July.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblong
- Obovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Glossy in summer, medium to dark green leaves (to 3-4” long) turn variable but generally attractive shades of yellow to golden brown in fall (some do not have fall color though). The leaves are late to leaf out in spring. Alternate, simple leaves 1.5- 4" long and 1- 2" wide, obovate with acute to acuminate tip, serrated margins, lustrous medium to dark green.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Gray
- Bark Description:
- Bark is grey and loosely striped
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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
- Edible Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Fire
- Salt
- Wet Soil
