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Clethra ‘Ruby Spice’ is a standout among the summersweet varieties. Its fragrant blooms have the deepest red hue, which is enhanced when the plant is in direct sunlight. These elegant flowers combined with Ruby Spice’s modest height (4-6 feet tall) make it a lovely foundation plant. In autumn its foliage lights up in bright yellows, adding extra color to your yard or garden. Like a lot of shrubs, Ruby Spice prefers moist, sandy soil with a slightly acidic pH. But it can flourish in many conditions, including salt spray, wet soil, and shade. This plant invites butterflies but repels pests and diseases. Expect clusters of red blossoms in mid to late summer.
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 | |
| Moisture | |
| Bloom Period | July to August |
| Size | 1 Quart, 3 Gallon, 5 Gallon |
Clethra alnifolia ‘Ruby Spice’ (Ruby Spice Summersweet) is a beautiful native deciduous shrub prized for its fragrant deep pink flowers, attractive foliage, and excellent value for pollinators. This improved selection of the North American native Summersweet blooms in mid to late summer, producing upright spikes of richly colored flowers with a sweet fragrance that attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial pollinators.
The dark green foliage provides a lush backdrop throughout the growing season and turns warm golden-yellow in fall, adding additional seasonal interest to the landscape. Clethra alnifolia ‘Ruby Spice’ performs well in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soils, making it an excellent choice for rain gardens, woodland edges, native plant gardens, shrub borders, and areas with consistently moist conditions. Its compact, upright habit makes it a versatile choice for foundation plantings, mixed borders, and wildlife-friendly landscapes.
With its fragrant summer blooms, long flowering period, attractive fall color, and ability to support native pollinators, Ruby Spice Summersweet is an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a beautiful and easy-care shrub with strong ecological value.
NOT INTENDED FOR CONSERVATION USE, PLEASE SEE STRAIGHT SPECIES
