Hummingbird Summersweet
Clethra alnifolia 'Hummingbird'
Essentials
At a Glance
Plant Type
Shrub
Height
36 inches
Width
48 inches
Light
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade
Zones
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Water
Medium to wet
Humidity
High
Lifespan
Medium, 20-40 years
Native To
Eastern North America (species)
Toxicity
Non-toxic
The Story
Plant Bio
Clethra alnifolia is a deciduous shrub native to eastern North America, prized for its fragrant summer flowers and adaptability to moist, shady sites. It has a suckering habit, forming dense colonies over time. 'Hummingbird' is a popular dwarf cultivar, growing much more compact and spreading than the species. It is noted for its profusion of intensely fragrant, bottlebrush-like white flower spikes and its attractive, uniform golden-yellow fall color.
Bloom Period:
Uses & Benefits:
Marketplace
Where to Buy
Shipping costs Year-round shipping Free shipping
Planting
How to Grow
- Select a site with partial shade and consistently moist, acidic soil.
- Amend the soil with compost or other organic matter to improve moisture retention.
- Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball.
- Set the shrub in the hole, ensuring the crown is at soil level.
- Backfill with the amended soil and water deeply.
- Mulch with shredded leaves or pine bark to keep the roots cool and moist.
Pro Tip
Plant it in a moist to wet location for best performance; it will not tolerate dry soil and may drop its leaves.
Keep It Thriving
Care Guide
Do
- Provide plenty of water, especially during establishment and dry spells.
- Plant in acidic soil for best health and flowering.
- Allow it to sucker and form a natural colony if space permits.
- Prune in early spring, as it flowers on the current season's growth.
Don't
- Do not plant in dry, alkaline, or poor soils.
- Avoid letting the soil dry out completely.
- Don't remove suckers if you desire a naturalized look.
- Refrain from pruning after new growth begins in spring, as this will remove flower buds.
Seasonal Care Calendar
| Task | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Divide | ||||||||||||
| Mulch | ||||||||||||
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Prune |
Watch Out For
Pests & Diseases
Common Pests
Common Diseases
In the Garden
Landscape Uses & Companions
Landscape Uses
Companion Plants
Multiply
Propagation Methods
Good to Know
Common Questions
Hummingbird Summersweet questions
What zones can Hummingbird Summersweet grow in?
Hummingbird Summersweet is hardy in USDA Zones 4–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.
Is Hummingbird Summersweet deer resistant?
Yes — Hummingbird Summersweet is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.
When does Hummingbird Summersweet bloom?
Hummingbird Summersweet typically blooms in mid-summer through late summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.
Does Hummingbird Summersweet need full sun?
Hummingbird Summersweet does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.
More Clethra to compare
Summersweet
Clethra alnifolia 'Caleb'
Summersweet
Clethra alnifolia 'Crystalina'
Ruby Spice Summersweet
Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice'
Summersweet
Clethra alnifolia
Einstein Summersweet
Clethra alnifolia 'Einstein'
Keep exploring
Explore the genus
Collections featuring this plant
Grow Hummingbird Summersweet with confidence
See it in a design of your actual yard, get zone-matched care reminders, and track it season by season in your garden journal.
