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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 $59.99
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, 1.5 Gallon |
Clethra alnifolia (Summersweet) is a beautiful North American native deciduous shrub valued for its fragrant summer flowers, attractive foliage, and excellent benefits for pollinators and wildlife. Blooming in mid to late summer, Summersweet produces upright spikes of small, sweetly fragrant white flowers that attract bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial pollinators during an important time of year when many spring-blooming plants have finished flowering.
Its glossy green foliage provides a lush backdrop throughout the growing season and develops warm golden-yellow color in fall, adding multi-season interest to the landscape. Clethra alnifolia performs well in full sun to partial shade and prefers consistently moist, well-drained soils, making it an excellent choice for rain gardens, woodland edges, wetland borders, native plant gardens, and naturalized landscapes.
Its upright, spreading habit can also provide valuable cover and habitat for wildlife. With its fragrant blooms, attractive seasonal foliage, and adaptability to moist growing conditions, Summersweet is an excellent choice for gardeners looking to add a low-maintenance, pollinator-friendly native shrub to their landscape.
