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Summersweet

Clethra Alnifolia

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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 3–9Type Shrub

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — shrub for full or half or shade; supporting local wildlife

Culture

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

Shape & size

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

Classification

Type: Shrub
Family: Clethraceae

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Photos (110)

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

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — that offers multi-seasonal interest to any landscape design; shrub with white blooms, image 89

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — it thrives in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 9; well-drained soils but capable of withstanding periodic, image 64

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — that offers multi-seasonal interest to any landscape design; shrub with white blooms, image 62

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — when many other plants have completed their bloom cycle; thrives in USDA zones 4-9 with a mature height of 3-8 feet and a

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

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — supporting local wildlife; plant in full sun to part shade in moist, acidic soil, image 78

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — flourishing in either full sun or partial shade; this broadleaf shrub is relatively low maintenance

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

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — upright spikes of fragrant white or pink flowers emerge; its upright and slightly rounded form lends a structured, image 72

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — shrub for full or half or shade

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — scientifically known as Clethra alnifolia; summersweet is particularly forgiving of various soil conditions

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — shrub with white blooms

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — it adds multi-season interest with its fall foliage and exfoliating bark, image 32

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — supporting local wildlife; plant in full sun to part shade in moist, acidic soil

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — Its upright and slightly rounded form lends a structured yet naturalistic aesthetic; requiring minimal pruning, image 69

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

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — thrives in USDA zones 4-9 with a mature height of 3-8 feet and a spread of 4-6 feet; excellent for rain gardens or, image 55

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — Excellent for rain gardens or naturalized areas; white flowers in the garden, image 58

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — white flowers in the garden; it thrives in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 9, image 79

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

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

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — with a similar spread of 4 to 6 feet, image 68

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

Photographs by 13 contributors

Andrea Moro, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
PumpkinSky, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Dick Culbert from Gibsons, B.C., Canada, CC BY 2.0 · source
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Sandy Wolkenberg, CC BY 4.0 · source
KENPEI, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Alex Abair, CC BY 4.0 · source
Plant Image Library from Boston, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Leonora (Ellie) Enking from East Preston, CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Wilcox, Mike, CC BY 4.0 · source
Doug McGrady from Warwick, RI, USA, CC BY 2.0 · source
H. Zell, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source

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