Also known as Sweet Pepperbush, Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia) is a deciduous native shrub that adds charm and fragrance to the summer landscape. Growing into mounded clumps, this shrub features glossy dark green leaves that turn attractive shades of yellow and golden brown in the fall. In mid-to-late summer, it produces showy, spike-like clusters of sweetly fragrant white flowers that are a magnet for pollinators. The dry fruiting capsules that follow persist through winter, adding interest to the landscape even in colder months.
Summersweet is remarkably resilient and easy to grow. It is native to swampy woodlands and seashores, making it an excellent choice for rain gardens, stream banks, and coastal gardens due to its tolerance for moist soils and salt spray. It is also free of any major insect or disease problems.
Why Grow Summersweet?
- Fragrant Summer Blooms: The showy, upright clusters of white flowers are highly fragrant and bloom in mid-to-late summer, providing a valuable nectar source for pollinators.
- Outstanding Fall Color: The leaves turn brilliant shades of yellow and golden brown in autumn.
- Pollinator & Wildlife Magnet: Flowers are very attractive to butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds, while the fruits provide food for birds and mammals.
- Tough & Adaptable: Thrives in a variety of soils, from sandy to clay, and tolerates wet, boggy conditions and salt spray.
- Pollinator-Safe: Grown non-GMO and free of harmful neonicotinoids, promoting a healthy ecosystem for pollinators and wildlife.
Available in a one-gallon container.
Planting Tips
- Location: Easily grown in full sun to part shade, but prefers part shade in consistently moist, acidic, sandy soils.
- Watering: Requires consistently moist soil and should not be allowed to dry out.
- Maintenance: Prune if needed in late winter to maintain shape. Remove root suckers if you don't desire a naturalized, clumping look.
For more information on planting, view our How to Plant Your Native Plants guide and other planting tips in the Garden for Wildlife Learning Center.
Add this versatile and beautiful shrub to your landscape for its fragrant blooms, stunning fall color, and essential value to pollinators and wildlife.