Summersweet Clethra

Summersweet clethra

Clethra alnifolia 'Hummingbird' (Summersweet) is a gorgeous, compact, slowly spreading, deciduous shrub that features bottlebrush spikes of extremely fragrant white flowers which bloom for 4-6 weeks in mid to late summer.

How much sun does summersweet need?

The optimum amount of sun or shade each plant needs to thrive: Full Sun (6+ hours), Part Sun (4-6 hours), Full Shade (up to 4 hours).

Can you keep summersweet small?

Summersweet is a slow growing deciduous shrub that is hardy in zones 4 to 9. It may be necessary to control the plant's suckering habit or prune it to shape. Pruning should be done in late winter or early spring.

Is Summersweet Clethra evergreen?

Clethra are deciduous and evergreen shrubs and small trees grown for their fragrant white to yellow-white, cuplike flowers. Leaves are medium to dark green, alternate, simple, and finely to coarsely toothed.

Can summersweet grow in full sun?

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.

Should summersweet be pruned?

This plant in general will need a minimal amount of pruning. Pruning can be rather important to the overall look of the plant. Pruning should be done in early spring before leafing out. Crossing, winter killed, badly formed or damaged branches should be removed back to a main branch, some shaping can be done as well.

Will summersweet grow in shade?

Native to swampy woodlands, summersweet is easy to grow in average to wet soil in full sun or part shade. It tolerates consistently moist soil—sandy or clay—with ease. It will grow in full shade but tends to have an open and loose habit.

Does Clethra need a lot of water?

Watering: Water regularly to keep the soil moist, especially during the first growing season. Once the roots became established, summersweet bush is somewhat drought tolerant, but avoid letting the soil dry out completely.

Will Clethra grow in shade?

Easily grown in average, medium to wet soils in full sun to part shade. Prefers part shade and consistently moist, acidic, sandy soils. Soils should not be allowed to dry out. Tolerates clay soils.

How tall does summersweet get?

Summersweet is a versatile shrub that thrives in most climates and is suitable as a specimen plant or a hedge. It also attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. This shrub usually grows to 3 to 6 feet in height, but can be up to 8-feet tall. Summersweet typically spreads to 4 to 6 feet and forms an oval shape.

Should you cut back Clethra?

Clethra do not require pruning, however respond very well to it. 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.

What does summersweet smell like?

Fitting of its name, Summersweet Clethra's blooms produce a sweet smell that is reminiscent of honeysuckle. It will grow well in almost any exposure although cold and snowy winters can be tough.

When should I plant Clethra?

Plant shrubs from spring to early fall in well-drained, moist soil in a part sun or shade location. Pepperbush grows best in humus-rich, slightly acidic soils that don't dry out. Space plants 4 to 6 feet apart.

Will deer eat summersweet?

A native shrub that is rarely browsed by deer is Clethra alnifolia, (Sweet Pepperbush or Summersweet). Sweet pepperbush is a non-demanding deciduous shrub with many attractive attributes besides its unpopularity with deer.

Do hummingbirds like summersweet?

It's easy to see why this Summersweet is called the “Hummingbird”. The snow-white flowers are an important summer source of nectar to critical pollinators, and attract spades of both butterflies and hummingbirds.

Is summersweet drought tolerant?

Summersweet. At about 36 inches tall and wide, drought-tolerant and deer-resistant 'Crystalina' summersweet works well in several types of garden settings. Also called clethra, summersweet is almost a perfect shrub.

Should I deadhead summersweet?

"Hummingbird" summersweet blooms for four to six weeks, but does not tend to rebloom when deadheaded. Removing spent flowers would also eliminate the attractive dark brown seed capsules that provide winter interest.

Is Clethra a fragrant?

Exfoliating bark with glossy dark green leaves, the fragrant flowers are followed by brown capsules, which attract small mammals and birds. All these attributes give this shrub exceptional four season interest in the landscape. A tall (6-10''), many branched, deciduous shrub, clethra often spreads into mounded clumps.

What plants look good with Clethra?

Because of its honey gold autum foliage, Clethra also looks beautiful when planted near darker foliage shrubs such as purple-leafed Cotinus, and Physocarpus cultivars 'Diabolo', 'Coppertinia', and 'Summer Wine'.

Is Sweetspire the same as summersweet?

Virginia Sweetspire (Itea) Also named for sweetly fragrant flowers (though milder than Sumersweet), this shrub blooms in late spring with drooping white spires that draw a lot of pollinators.

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