Clethra (Summersweet)

Back to:  Shrub Gallery

• Summer flowers and fall color provide a long season of interest.
  
• Attractive to bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.
  
• ​Prefers moist soils - particularly in full sun - and can tolerate part shade.
  
• Compact habit makes it a great choice for small gardens.
  
• ​FRAGRANT!

---

​alnifolia 'Hummingbird'

• Less upright than 'Sixteen Candles'​
• Compact, mounded form
• Produces great, fragrant blooms in shady locations
• Winter interest
• ​Mass in mixed perennial borders​ 
• 4' H X 5' W
• Bloom time: Summer

Substitution Suggestions​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Itea virginica Little Henry®

Deutzia gracilis Chardonnay Pearls®

Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice'

Cephalanthus occidentalis Sugar Shack®

---

alnifolia 'Ruby Spice'

• Bright pink bottle-brush-like flower spikes
• Glowing yellow fall color​
• Good choice for shade and woodland gardens
• 5' H X 4' W
• ​Bloom time: Summer

Substitution Suggestions​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Cephalanthus occidentalis Sugar Shack®

Cornus alba 'Ivory Halo'

Hydrangea macrophylla Summer Crush®

Itea virginica 'Merlot'

---

​alnifolia 'Vanilla Spice'
Clethra alnifolia 'Caleb'

• Extra large white flower spikes - double the size of other varieties
• Gold and brown hues in fall; dark brown seed pods persist into winter
• Great for along foundations and near patios
• 6' H X 6' W
• Bloom time: Summer

Substitution Suggestions​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Cephalanthus occidentalis Sugar Shake®

Cornus sericea 'Isanti'

Hydrangea arborescens 'Incrediball'®