Log in Start trial

Hummingbird Summersweet

Clethra Alnifolia 'Ruby Spice'

Design with this plant

Overview

The Hummingbird Summersweet 'Ruby Spice' (Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice') is a deciduous shrub, standing at 4-6 feet tall and 3-5 feet wide. Known for its fragrant, pinkish-red flowers, it blooms in late summer, attracting pollinators like hummingbirds and butterflies. It thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers moist, well-drained soils. Fall foliage is golden. Hardy in Zones 4-9, it's ideal for woodland gardens or mixed borders.

Sun Full, Half, ShadeWater HighZones 4–9Type Shrub

Hummingbird Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia 'Ruby Spice') — attracting pollinators like hummingbirds and butterflies

Hummingbird Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia 'Ruby Spice') — including the buzzing namesake hummingbirds

Hummingbird Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia 'Ruby Spice') — As a cultivar of the Clethra alnifolia species

Hummingbird Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia 'Ruby Spice') — standing at 4-6 feet tall and 3-5 feet wide; it's important to note that the Ruby Spice thrives in

Hummingbird Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia 'Ruby Spice') — providing extended visual interest

Hummingbird Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia 'Ruby Spice') — ensure a good mulching practice to retain soil moisture and to help protect the shallow root system

Hummingbird Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia 'Ruby Spice') — With a moderate growth rate

Culture

Sun: Full, Half, Shade
Water: High
USDA zones: 4–9

Shape & size

Mature height: 4–6 Ft.
Mature width: 3–5 Ft.

Classification

Type: Shrub
Family: Clethraceae

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

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (33)

Hummingbird Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia 'Ruby Spice') — attracting pollinators like hummingbirds and butterflies

Hummingbird Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia 'Ruby Spice') — including the buzzing namesake hummingbirds

Hummingbird Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia 'Ruby Spice') — As a cultivar of the Clethra alnifolia species

Hummingbird Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia 'Ruby Spice') — standing at 4-6 feet tall and 3-5 feet wide; it's important to note that the Ruby Spice thrives in

Hummingbird Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia 'Ruby Spice') — providing extended visual interest

Hummingbird Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia 'Ruby Spice') — ensure a good mulching practice to retain soil moisture and to help protect the shallow root system

Hummingbird Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia 'Ruby Spice') — With a moderate growth rate

Hummingbird Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia 'Ruby Spice') — typically maturing to a height of 4-6 feet with a similar spread.<br><br>For the landscape designer

Hummingbird Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia 'Ruby Spice') — It's highly adaptable to a range of soil types but performs best in moist, well-drained, acidic

Hummingbird Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia 'Ruby Spice') — shrub with pink blooms

Hummingbird Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia 'Ruby Spice') — it's a suitable choice for residential landscapes

Hummingbird Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia 'Ruby Spice') — shrub for full or half or shade

Hummingbird Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia 'Ruby Spice') — The Hummingbird Summersweet 'Ruby Spice' (Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice') is a deciduous shrub

Hummingbird Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia 'Ruby Spice') — commonly known as the Ruby Spice Summersweet or Hummingbird Summersweet

Hummingbird Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia 'Ruby Spice') — it's important to note that the Ruby Spice thrives in USDA hardiness zones 4 to 9

Hummingbird Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia 'Ruby Spice') — showing a strong preference for partial to full shade conditions

Hummingbird Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia 'Ruby Spice') — this Summersweet is relatively low-maintenance

Hummingbird Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia 'Ruby Spice') — commonly known as the Ruby Spice Summersweet or Hummingbird Summersweet; showing a strong preference

Hummingbird Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia 'Ruby Spice') — Hardy in Zones 4-9, it's ideal for woodland gardens or mixed borders

Hummingbird Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia 'Ruby Spice') — They are ensconced within glossy

Hummingbird Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia 'Ruby Spice') — attracting pollinators like hummingbirds and butterflies; <br><br>For client consideration

Hummingbird Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia 'Ruby Spice') — <br><br>For client consideration

Hummingbird Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia 'Ruby Spice') — When establishing the plant

Hummingbird Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia 'Ruby Spice') — pink flowers in the garden

Photograph: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source

Related plants

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

Shrub

Hummingbird Summersweet

Clethra Alnifolia 'Hummingbird'

Sixteen Candles Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia 'Sixteen Candles') — exuding a delightful fragrance

Shrub

Sixteen Candles Summersweet

Clethra Alnifolia 'Sixteen Candles'

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

Shrub

Summersweet

Clethra Alnifolia

Adam's Needle (Yucca Filamentosa) — When incorporating this plant into your client's garden, image 50

Shrub

Adam's Needle

Yucca Filamentosa

FullUSDA 10–10

Adelaide Hoodless Rose (Rosa 'Adelaide Hoodless') — The Rosa 'Adelaide Hoodless', commonly known as Adelaide Hoodless Rose, is a robust, winter-hardy shrub rose

Shrub

Adelaide Hoodless Rose

Rosa 'Adelaide Hoodless'

African Boxwood (Myrsine Africana) — shrub for full or half

Shrub

African Boxwood

Myrsine Africana

FullUSDA 9–11