Summersweet

Clethra Alnifolia

Design with this plant

Overview

Summersweet, Clethra alnifolia, thrives in USDA zones 4-9 with a mature height of 3-8 feet and a spread of 4-6 feet. This deciduous shrub features fragrant, white-to-pink blooms in late summer, serving as a pollinator magnet. Plant in full sun to part shade in moist, acidic soil. Excellent for rain gardens or naturalized areas, it adds multi-season interest with its fall foliage and exfoliating bark.

Sun Full, Half, ShadeWater HighZones 3–9

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — Recognized for its adaptability; scientifically known as Clethra alnifolia, image 90

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — To share with your client, image 77

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — thrives in USDA zones 4-9 with a mature height of 3-8 feet and a spread of 4-6 feet

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — This deciduous shrub features fragrant, white-to-pink blooms in late summer, serving as a pollinator magnet

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — Plant in full sun to part shade in moist, acidic soil

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — Excellent for rain gardens or naturalized areas

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — it adds multi-season interest with its fall foliage and exfoliating bark

Culture

Sun: Full, Half, Shade
Water: High
USDA zones: 3–9

Shape & size

Mature height: 3–8 Ft.
Mature width: 4–6 Ft.

Classification

Family: Clethraceae

See full data, regional cultivation notes, full-resolution photos, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (90)

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — Recognized for its adaptability; scientifically known as Clethra alnifolia, image 90

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — To share with your client, image 77

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — thrives in USDA zones 4-9 with a mature height of 3-8 feet and a spread of 4-6 feet

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — This deciduous shrub features fragrant, white-to-pink blooms in late summer, serving as a pollinator magnet

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — Plant in full sun to part shade in moist, acidic soil

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — Excellent for rain gardens or naturalized areas

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — it adds multi-season interest with its fall foliage and exfoliating bark

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — scientifically known as Clethra alnifolia

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — is a versatile deciduous shrub native to North America

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — that offers multi-seasonal interest to any landscape design

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — Recognized for its adaptability

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — it thrives in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 9

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — flourishing in either full sun or partial shade

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — Summersweet is particularly forgiving of various soil conditions

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — well-drained soils but capable of withstanding periodic waterlogging

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — with a similar spread of 4 to 6 feet

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — Its upright and slightly rounded form lends a structured yet naturalistic aesthetic

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — when many other plants have completed their bloom cycle

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — Summersweet unveils its visual and olfactory charm

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — upright spikes of fragrant white or pink flowers emerge

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — dark green leaves that transition to a striking yellow or golden-brown in the fall

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — This broadleaf shrub is relatively low maintenance

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — requiring minimal pruning

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — and it is largely resistant to pests and diseases

Related plants

Hummingbird Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia 'Hummingbird') — The Clethra alnifolia 'Hummingbird' is a compact

Hummingbird Summersweet

Clethra Alnifolia 'Hummingbird'

Full · Zones 3–9

Hummingbird Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia 'Ruby Spice') — standing at 4-6 feet tall and 3-5 feet wide

Hummingbird Summersweet

Clethra Alnifolia 'Ruby Spice'

Full · Zones 4–9

Sixteen Candles Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia 'Sixteen Candles') — The Clethra alnifolia 'Sixteen Candles' Summersweet is a deciduous shrub renowned for its

Sixteen Candles Summersweet

Clethra Alnifolia 'Sixteen Candles'

Full · Zones 4–9