Summersweet Clethra alnifolia
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Summersweet:
- Phonetic Spelling
- KLETH-rah al-nih-FOH-lee-ah
- Description
-
This upright deciduous shrub often spreads into mounded clumps. Use clethra for summer flowers in wet, shady areas, particularly where the fragrance can be appreciated. The plant spreads by stolons. It is a very hardy, carefree plant that is moderately salt tolerant. The plant has a small fragrance.
‘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. The Japanese pepperbush, Clethra barbinervis, exhibits beautiful cinnamon-colored exfoliating bark as it matures.
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.
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Crystalinia'
- 'Hummingbird'
- 'Paniculata'
- 'Pinkspire'
- 'Rosea'
- 'Ruby Spice'
- 'September Beauty'
- 'Sherry Sue'
- 'Sixteen Candles'
- 'White Doves'
- 'Crystalinia'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Crystalinia'
- 'Hummingbird'
- 'Paniculata'
- 'Pinkspire'
- 'Rosea'
- 'Ruby Spice'
- 'September Beauty'
- 'Sherry Sue'
- 'Sixteen Candles'
- 'White Doves'
- 'Crystalinia'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Clethra
- Species:
- alnifolia
- Family:
- Clethraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern US
- Distribution:
- Maine to Florida
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant attracts pollinators. Its fruit attracts birds. This plant is resistant to damage by deer.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Edible fruit
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- fire in the landscape.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Shrub
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- Usda Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Brown capsules which persist through winter.
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- 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.
-
-
Leaves:
- 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.
-
-
Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Gray
- Bark Description:
- Bark is grey and loosely striped
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
-
-
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:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Fire
- Salt
- Wet Soil
- Plants that fill a similar niche:
-
Taxodium distichum
-
Magnolia virginiana
-
Quercus phellos
