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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
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| 🌱 Variety | Rooted |
| 🌿 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 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 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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