Ruby Spice Summersweet - Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice' - 3 Gallon - Shrub - New Arrivals | Gardener Direct (2024)

FAQs

What is the problem with Clethra? ›

Has few insect or disease problems, with the exception of spider mites, which are more common when plants are stressed by hot, dry conditions.

It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years. This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It is quite adaptable, prefering to grow in average to wet conditions, and will even tolerate some standing water.

This native plant will grow in full sun to total shade, but will grow best in light, dappled shade, or with morning sun and afternoon shade. These shrubs will even bloom profusely in complete shade. Because of its tolerance for moist soils, it can be used for streambank erosion control.

Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia) is an attractive shrub for our gardens, and not just because of its sweet late-summer blooms. This shrub has no known toxicity to humans, pets, or horses, making it an ideal addition to your garden.

Since Clethra bloom on new growth, pruning can be done during winter or early spring without effecting the summer bloom. Pruning is a good way to rejuvenate the shrub following a harsh of winter. Early spring, just after new leaves have begun to emerge, is usually the best pruning time.

Plant summersweet in full sun or part shade.

Summersweet really is a perfect description for Clethra. Pretty pink or white flowers smell sweet like honey and bloom in July and August when most shrubs have given up on blooming. Add to that its carefree nature and you have a perfect addition to the summer garden.

While the flowers look beautiful, the spicy, sweet scent of Clethra is its real draw for humans and a massive profusion of pollinating insects.

Is Summersweet clethra invasive? Clethra spreads through roots that are suckering and can form wide colonies. This expansive growth happens after about the third year the plant is in place. This rooting growth can be contained if placed in a confined area near a patio or sidewalk which will not enable root expansion.

Does summersweet like wet soil? ›

It grows best in full sun to part shade and moist to wet soil. Use summersweet in rain gardens, shrub borders, narrow spaces and perennial gardens where its four-season beauty can be enjoyed. A bit more information: This versatile shrub, also known as Sweet Pepperbush, is generally trouble-free.

Glossy, dark green foliage is not bothered by pests or disease. In late summer it is covered with 6-7” creamy white flowers with a deliciously, spicy scent. The flowers bloom for many weeks attracting butterflies, hummingbirds and native bees.

Summersweet is cold hardy and requires little care through the winter. Providing a layer of mulch around the root zone of Summersweet can help protect the roots through the winter in colder regions. The chances of you needing to regularly water this shrub depend on how mild the winters are in your regions.

Although slow growing, summersweet is easy to grow in average or wet soils that are consistently moist and acidic. Despite its preference for moist soils, this versatile plant is fairly drought tolerant once it is established in the landscape.

Along with these amenable credentials, Clethra is deer resistant and attracts butterflies and hummingbirds with its fragrant flowers.

The fragrant flowers are followed by brown capsules, which attract small mammals and birds. A tall (6-10′), many branched, deciduous shrub, clethra often spreads into mounded clumps, spreading by suckers that pop up nearby.