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Summersweet Clethra Shrub
Summersweet Clethra Shrub
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Clethra alnifolia
Summersweet Clethra
The Summersweet Clethra is a fragrant, late-summer blooming shrub beloved for its spikes of white or pink flowers, glossy green foliage, and adaptability to both sun and shade. This bare root native variety adds seasonal color, pollinator value, and rich fragrance when most other plants are winding down.
Perfect for woodland edges, rain gardens, foundation plantings, and naturalized landscapes, Summersweet thrives in wet soils and shady spaces where other shrubs struggle—making it a standout performer for both beauty and biodiversity.
Summersweet Clethra (Bare Root) Overview
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| 🌱 Variety | Bare Root |
| 🌿 Botanical Name | Clethra alnifolia |
| 🏷️ Common Names | Summersweet, Sweet Pepperbush |
| 🌳 Mature Height | 3–6 feet |
| 🌐 Mature Width | 4–6 feet |
| 📈 Growth Rate | Moderate (12–18 inches per year) |
| ⏳ Lifespan | 20–30 years |
| 🧊 USDA Zones | 3–9 |
| ☀️ 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; tolerates wet soil |
| 🌸 Flower Color | White or soft pink; blooms mid to late summer |
| 👃 Fragrance | Intensely sweet and spicy floral scent |
| 🐝 Pollination | Attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds |
| 🌿 Growth Habit | Upright, rounded, suckering shrub |
| ↔️ Spacing | 3–5 ft for mass plantings; 5–6 ft for individual accents |
| 🏡 Landscape Uses | Rain gardens, borders, woodland edges, pollinator beds |
| 🧹 Maintenance Level | Low |
Environmental Benefits
🌼 Supports pollinators and hummingbirds with late-summer blooms
💧 Excels in wet soils, rain gardens, and erosion control zones
🌿 Adds biodiversity and fragrance to shady garden areas
🌞 Extends flowering season into late summer when most plants fade
Pros & Cons
| ✅ Pros | ⚠️ Cons |
|---|---|
| 🌸 Highly fragrant, long-lasting summer blooms | 🌱 May sucker and spread slowly over time |
| 🐝 Excellent source of nectar for pollinators | ❄️ Can leaf out late in spring; may appear dormant longer |
| 🌧️ Thrives in damp, shady locations | ✂️ Pruning may be needed to keep shape if planted densely |
| 🏡 Ideal for naturalized, woodland, or low-maintenance gardens | 💧 Needs consistent moisture in drier zones |
| 🌿 Native plant with high wildlife value | 🪵 Slow to establish in overly compacted or dry soils |
Planting & Care Guide
🛁 Soak roots for 6–12 hours before planting
🕳️ Dig a hole twice as wide as the root system; keep crown level with soil surface
🌾 Apply mulch (2–3 inches) to conserve moisture and reduce weed competition
💦 Water regularly, especially in the first two growing seasons
✂️ Prune after flowering to shape or rejuvenate older stems
🧪 Fertilize lightly in early spring with compost or balanced shrub food if needed
The Summersweet Clethra (Bare Root) is a native garden gem, combining sweet fragrance, pollinator appeal, and moisture tolerance in one elegant package. Whether you're building out a shade garden, supporting pollinators, or brightening up wet soils, Summersweet brings beauty, biodiversity, and reliability to your landscape.
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