Clethra alnifolia
Summersweet, Sweet Pepperbrush
Clethraceae
Deciduous, Shrubs
CLETHRAThese attractive plants are grown for the small, five-lobed, sweet-scented white or pink flowers that cluster at branch tips in mid to late summer. Fairly soil tolerant but do best in moist, organic, slightly acidic, well-drained soil. Plants prefer partial shade but can adapt successfully to less light as well as to full sun, though they need some shade where summers are very hot. On deciduous shrubs, to be removed some old wood from base annually before spring growth begins.
Clethra alnifoliaEastern U.S. native grows 4 to 10 ft. tall and wide; spreads slowly by suckers. Thin, strong branches form vertical pattern. Dark green, tooth-edged, 2 to 4-in-long leaves appear late in spring, turn golden yellow to brownish in fall. During bloom season, each branch tip carries several 4 to 6-in.-long spires of tiny, gleaming white flowers with a spicy perfume.
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