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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; white flowers in the garden, image 85

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

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

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

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

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — requiring minimal pruning; recognized for its adaptability

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — scientifically known as Clethra alnifolia; summersweet is particularly forgiving of various soil conditions, image 60

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — shrub for full or half or shade; supporting local wildlife, image 81

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — This deciduous shrub features fragrant, white-to-pink blooms in late summer, serving as a pollinator magnet, image 83

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — requiring minimal pruning; recognized for its adaptability, image 75

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — Plant in full sun to part shade in moist, acidic soil; upright spikes of fragrant white or pink flowers emerge, image 57

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — Summersweet is particularly forgiving of various soil conditions; shrub for full or half or shade

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — flourishing in either full sun or partial shade; this broadleaf shrub is relatively low maintenance, image 65

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — with a similar spread of 4 to 6 feet, image 41

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

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

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

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

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — is a versatile deciduous shrub native to North America; dark green leaves that transition to a striking yellow or

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

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — well-drained soils but capable of withstanding periodic waterlogging; is a versatile deciduous shrub native to North America

Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia) — requiring minimal pruning

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

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

Photographs by 13 contributors

David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Mycoandres, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
sonnia hill, CC BY 2.0 · source
H. Zell, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Alex Abair, CC BY 4.0 · source
Doug McGrady from Warwick, RI, USA, CC BY 2.0 · source
Wendy Cutler from Vancouver, Canada, CC BY 2.0 · source
Sandy Wolkenberg, CC BY 4.0 · source
Plant Image Library from Boston, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Seth Wollney, CC BY 4.0 · source
Nicolás Ramírez, CC BY 4.0 · source
Krzysztof Golik, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Zihao Wang, CC BY 4.0 · source

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