Summersweet is a native deciduous shrub with dense branching and glossy dark green foliage that turns attractive shades of yellow to golden brown in fall. Sweetly fragrant white flower spikes bloom in mid to late summer and give way to brown seedpods that last to winter. Prefers part sun and acidic, moist, well-drained soil. Disease and pest resistant when planted in ideal conditions.
Type: |
|
Origins: |
Eastern N. America Coasts; GA Native |
Height: |
3’ - 8’ |
Spread: |
4’ - 6' |
Spacing: |
5’ |
USDA Hardiness Zone: |
3 - 9 |
Culture: |
|
Bloom Color: |
White |
Season of Interest: |
MAINTENANCE NEEDS: Low Maintenance. Do not let soils dry out. Promptly remove suckers unless naturalization is desired. Spider mites may be a concern in drier conditions.
LANDSCAPE USES: Accents or Group Plantings, Borders, Woodland Gardens, Native Gardens, Hedges, and Containers.
COMPANION PLANTS: Ninebark, Dogwood, Coneflower
IMAGES: H. Zell, Clethra alnifolia 001, CC BY-SA 3.0, (2) H. Zell, Clethra alnifolia 003, CC BY-SA 3.0, (3) KENPEI, Clethra alnifolia1, CC BY-SA 3.0, (4) KENPEI, Clethra alnifolia2, CC BY-SA 3.0
*As plants have ranges in appearance they may not appear as the images shown.