Ruby Spice Summersweet
Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice'
Essentials
At a Glance
Plant Type
Shrub
Height
60 inches
Width
48 inches
Light
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Zones
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Water
High
Humidity
High
Lifespan
Long-lived deciduous shrub
Native To
Eastern North America
Toxicity
Non-toxic
The Story
Plant Bio
Clethra alnifolia, or summersweet, is a deciduous shrub native to the eastern U.S., celebrated for its intensely fragrant summer flowers that bloom even in shady locations. It thrives in moist, acidic soils and has attractive yellow fall color. 'Ruby Spice' is a highly-awarded cultivar renowned for its rich, rose-pink flowers that hold their color without fading. The intoxicating, spicy-sweet fragrance is a highlight of the mid-summer garden, attracting hordes of pollinators.
Bloom Period:
Uses & Benefits:
Marketplace
Where to Buy
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Planting
How to Grow
- Choose a site with moist to wet, acidic soil.
- It flowers well in both sun and partial shade.
- Amend soil with compost or peat moss to increase acidity and moisture.
- Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball.
- Set the plant at the same depth it was in the container.
- Backfill, water deeply, and apply an acidic mulch like pine needles.
Pro Tip
Plant near a window, patio, or path where its incredible spicy-sweet fragrance can be fully appreciated during the summer.
Keep It Thriving
Care Guide
Do
- Provide consistent moisture; this plant does not like to dry out.
- Plant in acidic soil (pH 4.5-6.0) for best results.
- Allow it to sucker to form a naturalistic colony if space allows.
- Remove spent flower spikes to keep the plant looking tidy.
Don't
- Do not plant in dry or alkaline soils.
- Avoid letting the soil dry out, especially in full sun.
- Don't prune heavily; it has a nice natural form.
- Don't worry if it is one of the last shrubs to leaf out in spring.
Seasonal Care Calendar
| Task | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fertilize | ||||||||||||
| Mulch | ||||||||||||
| 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
Ruby Spice Summersweet questions
What zones can Ruby Spice Summersweet grow in?
Ruby Spice 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 Ruby Spice Summersweet deer resistant?
Yes — Ruby Spice Summersweet is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.
When does Ruby Spice Summersweet bloom?
Ruby Spice 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 Ruby Spice Summersweet need full sun?
Ruby Spice Summersweet does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.
More Clethra to compare
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Clethra alnifolia 'Caleb'
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Hummingbird Summersweet
Clethra alnifolia 'Hummingbird'
Einstein Summersweet
Clethra alnifolia 'Einstein'
Keep exploring
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Collections featuring this plant
Grow Ruby Spice 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.
