Summersweet

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

Botanical Name: Clethra alnifolia

Common Name: Summersweet

form	flower	Fall leaves

Click on image to enlarge.


Height:  6-8'
Spread:  4-6'
Form:  Oval to rounded
Rate:  Slow (Less than 6 inches per year)/Medium (6-12 inches per year)
Zone:  4-9
Cultural/Comments:  Sun to shade; prefers moist (to wet) acidic soil high in organic matter; salt tolerant

Nectar Source/Butterflies Attracted: Wide variety including Swallowtails

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