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Ruby Spice Clethra Shrub
Ruby Spice Clethra Shrub
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Clethra alnifolia ‘Ruby Spice’
Ruby Spice Clethra
The Ruby Spice Clethra is a show-stopping native shrub known for its vibrant rose-pink flower spikes, intoxicating fragrance, and late-summer bloom time. This bare root variety brings bold color and pollinator power to shady or damp garden spaces where few flowering shrubs thrive.
Compact, upright, and low-maintenance, Ruby Spice is ideal for foundation beds, woodland borders, rain gardens, and pollinator plantings, where it delivers beauty, fragrance, and ecological value season after season.
Ruby Spice Clethra (Bare Root) Overview
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| 🌱 Variety | Bare Root |
| 🌿 Botanical Name | Clethra alnifolia ‘Ruby Spice’ |
| 🏷️ Common Names | Ruby Spice Summersweet, Sweet Pepperbush |
| 🌳 Mature Height | 4–6 feet |
| 🌐 Mature Width | 3–5 feet |
| 📈 Growth Rate | Moderate (12–18 inches per year) |
| ⏳ Lifespan | 20–30 years |
| 🧊 USDA Zones | 4–9 |
| ☀️ Sun Preference | Full sun to partial shade (best bloom in part sun) |
| 🧱 Soil Type | Moist, well-drained loam, clay, or sandy soils |
| ⚖️ Soil pH | Acidic to neutral (5.0–7.0) |
| 💧 Water Needs | Moderate to high; performs well in damp conditions |
| 🌸 Flower Color | Deep rose-pink; spikes bloom mid to late summer |
| 👃 Fragrance | Intensely sweet, spicy floral aroma |
| 🐝 Pollination | Attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds |
| 🌿 Growth Habit | Upright, clumping, multi-stemmed shrub |
| ↔️ Spacing | 3–5 ft for borders; 5–6 ft for standalone planting |
| 🏡 Landscape Uses | Rain gardens, foundations, woodland borders, pollinator beds |
| 🧹 Maintenance Level | Low |
Environmental Benefits
🌸 Provides nectar-rich flowers for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds
🌿 Thrives in moist, shaded environments where other shrubs struggle
🌧️ Performs well in wet soils, rain gardens, and flood-prone areas
🌱 Supports native pollinator populations and seasonal biodiversity
Pros & Cons
| ✅ Pros | ⚠️ Cons |
|---|---|
| 🌺 Unique deep pink blooms last well into late summer | 🌱 Can sucker slowly and form colonies over time |
| 🐝 Attracts pollinators and wildlife with high nectar value | ❄️ May leaf out late in spring, appearing dormant longer than others |
| 💧 Excellent in rain gardens or damp soils | ✂️ Light pruning needed to maintain shape or remove suckers |
| 🏡 Compact and tidy form for small-space landscapes | 💧 Needs consistent moisture in dry spells |
| 🌿 Native plant with high ecological value | 🪵 Slower establishment in dense clay without amendment |
Planting & Care Guide
🛁 Soak bare roots for 6–12 hours before planting
🕳️ Dig a hole twice the width of the root spread; keep crown level with soil
🌾 Apply 2–3 inches of mulch to retain moisture and regulate temperature
💦 Water deeply and regularly during the first growing season
✂️ Prune in late winter or after flowering to shape and rejuvenate
🧪 Fertilize sparingly in early spring with compost or mild shrub food
The Ruby Spice Clethra (Bare Root) is a native showpiece that blends bold pink blooms, rich fragrance, and pollinator-friendly power into one compact, versatile shrub. Whether in rain gardens, borders, or shade-loving beds, it delivers long-lasting color and ecological impact just when your landscape needs it most.
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