Summersweet

Clethra alnifolia

Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia) is a medium-growing shrub, hardy in USDA zones 3-9, that matures to about 3-8 ft × 4-6 ft. It does best in full sun and part shade with high water needs in well-drained, moist and occasionally-dry soil. Expect pink and white blooms in summer. It attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds, stands up well to deer, erosion and fire, grows happily in containers.

USDA zones

3-9

Sun

Full sun, Part shade

Water

High

Mature size

3-8 ft × 4-6 ft

Growth rate

Medium

Maintenance

Low

Soil

Well-drained, Moist, Occasionally-dry, Occasionally-wet

Bloom color

Pink, White

Bloom season

Summer

Attracts

Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Pollinators, Small mammals, Songbirds

Tough against

Deer, Erosion, Fire, Pests, Salt, Wet soil

Native to

Eastern and southern North America