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Coastal sweet-pepper or summer sweet is a narrow, 6-12 ft., deciduous shrub, which often spreads into mounded clumps. A tall, many-branched, leafy shrub with spike-like, upright clusters of fragrant white flowers. The shrub has erect, multiple stems; exfoliating bark; and simple, oval, toothed leaves which turn dull yellow to orange in fall. The dense, narrow, cylindric flower spikes are often clustered together at branch ends. Fragrant flowers are white and are followed by brown capsules which persist through winter. This shrub forms sizable patches and is remarkably free of any disease, insect, or physiological problems. Its dry fruiting capsules remain long after flowering and help identify this plant in winter. Mountain Pepperbush (C. acuminata) has more pointed leaves and is found in southern mountains.
Cultivar
Price range: $14.99 through $30,359.00
Please note: Most pictures represent mature plants. Unless otherwise specified, all of our plants are sold in 4″ pots to make shipping possible and will mature in time.
Learn more about how the process works and how our plants are delivered.
| Native | |
|---|---|
| Wetland Indicator | |
| Sunlight | |
| Special Attributes | Bee Attractor, Bird Attractor, Butterfly Attractor, Hummingbird Attractor, Salt Tolerant |
| Moisture | |
| Bloom Period | July to August |
| Size | 1 Gallon, 1 Quart, 2 Gallon, 3 Gallon, 5 Gallon |
Clethra alnifolia ‘Hummingbird’, commonly known as Hummingbird Summersweet, is a compact, hardy native deciduous shrub prized for its fragrant white flowers, attractive foliage, and excellent pollinator appeal. This compact selection of Summersweet is an excellent choice for native plant gardens, pollinator gardens, rain gardens, woodland edges, foundation plantings, and naturalized landscapes.
In mid to late summer, Clethra alnifolia ‘Hummingbird’ produces abundant, upright clusters of fragrant white flowers that create a beautiful display during the warmer months. The sweetly scented blooms are highly attractive to bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial pollinators, making this shrub an excellent addition to wildlife-friendly gardens.
Hummingbird Summersweet performs best in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, acidic, well-drained soil. It can tolerate consistently moist conditions and is particularly well suited to rain gardens, pond edges, and low-lying areas. Its compact, rounded growth habit makes it a versatile choice for smaller landscapes, foundation plantings, borders, and mass plantings.
After flowering, the foliage remains attractive through the growing season before developing warm yellow tones in fall. The persistent seed capsules can provide additional winter interest, while the dense branching habit offers cover for small wildlife.
With its fragrant summer flowers, compact size, moisture tolerance, and exceptional pollinator value, Clethra alnifolia ‘Hummingbird’ is an outstanding native shrub for gardeners looking to add seasonal color, fragrance, wildlife habitat, and ecological value to the landscape.
NOT INTENDED FOR CONSERVATION USE, PLEASE SEE STRAIGHT SPECIES
