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Common White Alder Clethra fargesii

Phonetic Spelling
KLETH-rah far-GHEE-zee-eye
Description

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. The plant does tolerate pruning, but keep in mind that flowers will bloom on new growth.

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:
Tags:
#deciduous#interesting bark#white flowers#shrub#fall interest#summer flowers#bronze leaves#maroon leaves#formal garden#victorian garden#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#hedge
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#interesting bark#white flowers#shrub#fall interest#summer flowers#bronze leaves#maroon leaves#formal garden#victorian garden#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#hedge
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Oval
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Light Brown
    Red/Burgundy
    Surface/Attachment:
    Peeling
    Smooth
    Bark Description:
    Smooth, polished brown to cinnamon bark, exfoliating.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Flowering Tree
    Hedge
    Screen/Privacy
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators