Clethra alnifolia

Name: Clethra alnifolia.

Common name: Summersweet.

Description: A medium- to large-sized ornamental shrub that flowers in the summer. Flowers are white, shell pink or light pink that appear from July to early September. Inflorescences, which occur on new growth, are fragrant and upright, and about 4 inches long. Summersweet attracts butterflies, bees and sometimes hummingbirds.

Habit: Upright, oval habit that matures to 6 feet high and 5 feet wide. It is a slow grower.

Hardiness: USDA Hardiness Zones 3-9.

Landscape use: It grows best in shade and moist soils, but will grow in sun. Use as a foundation plant, a specimen or a naturalizing shrub.

Some cultivars: ‘Hummingbird’ is a compact, spreading form with twice as many inflorescences as the species. ‘Creels Calico’ has variable creamy-white variegation and flowers that are larger than the species. ‘Ruby Spice’ has red buds that open to pink and do not fade. ‘September Beauty’ flowers up to two weeks later than the species and growth is more compact.