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Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice' (summersweet, sweet pepperbush)

Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice' Photo/Illustration: Steve Aitken



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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Botanical Name: Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice' KLETH-rah all-nih-FOE-lee-ah Common Name: summersweet, sweet pepperbush Genus: Clethra
This summersweet is a sport of C. alnifolia 'Pink Spires'. Its fragrant, bottlebrush flowers are a darker pink; they attract butterflies, bees, and other insects in late summer and early fall. 'Ruby Spice' grows to about 4 to 6 feet tall and almost as wide, making this shrub suitable for a bed or border, a woodland or shade garden, or a waterside planting. Its yellow fall color extends the season of interest.
 Noteworthy characteristics: Fragrant flowers. Attracts butterflies. Tolerates full shade. The species is native to the eastern U.S.
 Care: Provide full sun to part shade and fertile, preferably acidic, medium to wet soil. Summersweet will tolerate clay soil and full shade.
 Propagation: Take greenwood cuttings in early summer.
 Problems: Infrequent.
Height 3 ft. to 6 ft.
Spread 3 ft. to 6 ft.
Light Full Sun to Part Shade
Moisture Medium to Wet
Maintenance Low
Characteristics Attracts Butterflies; Fragrant Flowers; Native; Showy Fall Foliage; Showy Flowers
Bloom Time Early Fall; Late Summer
Flower Color Pink Flower
Uses Beds and Borders, Waterside
Style Shade, Cottage Garden, Woodland Garden
Seasonal Interest Summer Interest, Fall Interest
Type Shrubs

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