Summersweet Clethra

Tagged as: Four Season Landscape, Butterflies, Intermediate Sized, Plants for Shady Sites, Plants Tolerant of Wet Sites, Salt-Tolerant Trees and Shrubs, Summer-Flowering Trees & Shrubs, Trees and Shrubs That Attract Birds

Botanical Name: Clethra alnifolia

Common Name: Summersweet Clethra

Updated 3/2012

form	flower	Fall leaves

Click on image to enlarge.


Height:  6-8'  Spread:  4-6'  Habit/Form:  Oval to rounded  Growth Rate:  Slow/Medium
Zone:  4-9

Cultural Requirements:  Sun to shade; prefers moist (to wet) acidic soil high in organic matter; salt tolerant

Ornamental Characteristics: Fragrant, white flowers in late summer; yellow fall color.

Nectar Source/Butterflies Attracted: Wide variety including Swallowtails

Birds Attracted: Songbirds, including robin, goldfinch, and warblers

Plant Appeal for Birds: Seeds persist through winter

Spring Qualities (April & May):  Medium green leaves

Summer Qualities (June-August):  Spiky white or pink fragrant flowers in July*

Fall Qualities (Sept-early Nov):Golden yellow fall color*

Winter Qualities (Mid-Nov-Mar):  Interesting, delicate dried seed capsules, persistent throughout winter* 

Aerial Salt Tolerance: Highest degree of salt tolerance; use in most exposed areas

Plant tolerant of flooded areas for extended periods of time.

*exceptional season

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