Clethra fargesii
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- KLETH-rah far-GHEE-zee-eye
- Description
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Chinese clethra is a deciduous shrub in the Clethraceae family native to China. It grows to 10 feet in height with a 6 foot spread when mature.
It features a smooth, marbled brown to cinnamon bark that peels and delicate, heavily fragrent, flowers. The numerous white flowers on 5 to 7 inch panicles blossom in mid to late summer. The flowers contain high quality nectar and pollen that attracts butterflies and bees. The plant has sharply serrated, lustrous, and dark green leaves that are 2 to 5 inches long that tend to be clustered at the ends of branches and produce a bronze-red to maroon fall color which will be a lovely addition to your garden.
Chinese clethra prefers partial shade, moist, organically rich, acidic, lime-free, and well-drained soil and does not tolerate dry summer heat and drought. In its native China, it can be found in woodlands and mountainous regions between 4000 and 7000 feet. The plant can be easily propagated from stem cuttings and suckers will tend to form colonies, making it an excellent hedge.
Insect, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No known diseases or insect problems. If sited in dry or hot locations, it can be susceptible to spider mites.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Clethra
- Species:
- fargesii
- Family:
- Clethraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South Central and South East China
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts butterflies and bees.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
- Dimensions:
- Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Oval
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- 6-feet-12 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Numerous white flowers on 5 to 7 inch panicle in mid to late summer.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Sharply serrated, simple, lustrous dark green leaves that are 2 to 5 inches long, clustered at ends of branches and bronze-red to maroon in the fall.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Light Brown
- Red/Burgundy
- Surface/Attachment:
- Peeling
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- Smooth, polished brown to cinnamon bark, exfoliating.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Flowering Tree
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
