Native Summersweet


Clethra accuminata,    Clethra alnifolia,    Clethra alnifolia 'Bumblebee',    Clethra alnifolia 'Hummingbird',    Clethra alnifolia 'Sixteen Candles',    Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice',    Clethra alnifolia 'Tom's Compact'


Cinnamonbark Clethra, Clethra accuminata


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Summersweet, Clethra alnifolia

      A delightful summer bloomer whose fragrant white flower spikes grace this clumping shrub and will summon you and all your pollinators to partake of its charms come late July and August. Glossy leaves, yellow fall color and ornamental seedheads in winter. Tolerates wet soil. Attracts butterflies. Ht. 5-6'+. (Sun to Partial shade)

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Clethra alnifolia 'Bumblebee'


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Dwarf Summersweet, Clethra alnifolia 'Hummingbird'

     Wonderfully fragrant white flower spikes grace this great small Summersweet, keeping your pollinators happy in July and August. Glossy leaves, yellow fall color and ornamental seedheads in winter. Wet to dry soils. Ht. 30". (Sun to Partial shade)

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Dwarf Summersweet, Clethra alnifolia 'Sixteen Candles'

      A 'Hummingbird' seedling liked by Mike for its deep green foliage and delightfully fragrant, upright white "candles of flowers." Yellow fall color, tolerates wet soils. Ht. 30". (Sun to Partial shade)

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Pink Summersweet, Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice'

      A full-size Clethra sporting wonderfully fragrant summer flowers in a good strong shade of pink. Your nose and your pollinators will thank you come July and August. Wonderfully fragrant spires of deep pink flowers draw butterflies to this clump-forming shrub in mid-summer. The best pink Clethra. Glossy leaves show yellow fall color and ornamental seedheads provide winter interest. Tolerates wet soils. Ht. 6'+. (Sun to Partial shade)

Ruby Spice

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Dwarf Summersweet, Clethra alnifolia 'Tom's Compact'

      Aka 'Compacta,' this plant was selected by our friend Tom Dilatush from a NJ source, and appears hardier than the southern dwarfs. It has large, very fragrant, bright white flowers earlier than 'Sixteen Candles' and grows more vigorously for us. Yellow fall color, tolerates wet soils. Ht. 3' (Sun to Partial shade)

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