5 named cultivars

shrub RHS AwardN. America Native

Summersweet

$18.95

The Story

Plant Bio

Clethra alnifolia is a deciduous shrub native to eastern North America, valued for its fragrant summer flowers and tolerance of wet, shady, acidic conditions.

Its most notable characteristic is the profusion of intensely fragrant, bottlebrush-like spikes of white flowers that bloom in mid- to late summer, a time when few other shrubs are flowering.

Uses & Benefits:

A superb landscape shrub prized for its sweet, spicy fragrance that fills the summer garden. The bottlebrush flowers are followed by attractive yellow fall color and persistent brown seed capsules for winter interest.

Its ability to thrive in wet, shady, acidic soils makes it an invaluable problem-solver for difficult landscape situations where few other flowering shrubs will grow.

A magnet for native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Its late bloom time provides a critical nectar source. It is also highly deer resistant.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

72"

Width

72"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Medium to High

Humidity

High

Lifespan

Long-lived

Native To

Eastern North America

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Marketplace

Where to Buy

Fast Growing Trees

In Stock$18.95

Nature Hills

In Stock$55.57

Shipping costs Year-round shipping Free shipping

Planting

How to Grow

Select a site with moist, acidic soil in part shade to full sun.
Amend soil with compost or peat moss to improve moisture retention.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball.
Plant the shrub at the same depth it was in the container.
Backfill and water deeply.
Mulch to keep roots cool and moist.

Pro Tip

Provide consistent moisture, especially in full sun, as the plant will not tolerate dry soil. Yellowing leaves indicate the soil pH is too high.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Water regularly, especially during dry periods.
Plant in acidic soil (pH 5.0-6.5).
Allow it to sucker and form a natural colony.
Prune in late winter as it blooms on new growth.

Don't

Do not plant in dry, alkaline, or heavy clay soils.
Avoid letting the soil dry out completely.
Don't prune after new growth starts in spring, as this will remove flower buds.
Do not be alarmed if it leafs out very late in spring.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Mulch
Plant
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Fragrant addition to shade gardensExcellent for wet or boggy areasNaturalizing along woodland edges

Companion Plants

Itea virginica Rhododendron Vaccinium corymbosum Osmunda cinnamomea

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Summersweet questions

What zones can Summersweet grow in?

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 Summersweet deer resistant?

Yes — Summersweet is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Summersweet bloom?

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 Summersweet need full sun?

Summersweet does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.