Vanilla Spice Summersweet Clethra
Clethra alnifolia ‘Vanilla Spice‘ USPP 21,589
Plant Details
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 4b-9b Find Your Zone
Plant Type: Deciduous Flowering Shrub
Height at Maturity: 3-6′
Width at Maturity: 3-6′
Growth Habit / Form: Bushy, Upright
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Color: White
Flower Size: Medium
Flowering Period: Mid-Summer
Flower Type: Spires
Fragrant Flowers: Yes, Clove Scented!
Foliage Color: Green
Fragrant Foliage: No
Sun Needs: Full Sun or Mostly Sun, Morning Sun with Dappled or Afternoon Shade, All Day Filtered Sun, Morning Shade with Evening Sun
Water Needs: Average
Soil Type: Clay (Amended), Loam, Sand, Silt
Soil Moisture / Drainage: Well Drained Moist to Poorly Drained
Soil pH: 5.5 – 7.5 (Acid to Slightly Alkaline)
Maintenance / Care: Very Low
Attracts: Butterflies. Hummingbirds, Pollinating Insects, Visual Attention
Resistances: Deer, Disease, Heat, Insect, Salt Air, Wet Soils
Description
Bearing an abundance of upright spikes covered in fragrant, clove-scented creamy white flowers for up to six weeks during the hottest part of summer, and a favorite of hummingbirds, butterflies and other pollinating insects, Hummingbird Clethra, commonly called Summersweet, is an exceptionally versatile, hardy and easy-to-grow North American native shrub. The bright flowers stand out beautifully against the glossy, oval-shaped dark green leaves that turn yellow in fall. More compact than the species, Hummingbird grows to only 2 to 3 feet in height with an equal spread. As with other Clethra, this one will tolerate boggy soils but also adapts well to drier conditions. In consistently moist soils it will spread by stolons to form a colony. Grows well in full sun or shade.
Landscape & Garden Uses
Growing upright to about 3 to 6 feet tall and wide, Vanilla Spice Clethra is most useful in sunny landscape beds with moisture retentive soil, though it will tolerant a fair amount of shade and dry soil conditions. Plant it near windows or around outdoor living areas where the fragrance can be enjoyed. In consistently moist soils it will spread by stolons to form a colony. A fine addition to butterfly and hummingbird gardens, white theme gardens, fragrance gardens, bog gardens, wildlife gardens and cottage gardens.
Suggested Spacing: 4 to 5 feet for groupings or mass plantings
Growing Preferences
Vanilla Spice Clethra is a very easy plant to grow and is free of any pest and disease problems. It grows best in consistently moist, slightly acid soils in sun to part shade however tolerates a range of conditions including shade, wet soil, and salt spray.
Helpful Articles
Click on the link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant and care for Clethra Summersweet plants.
How To Plant & Care For Clethra Summersweet
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