Clethra alnifoliaIndiana Native
Summersweet Clethra

Family:

Clethraceae (Clethra Family) 5

Genus:

Clethra (Summersweet Clethra Clethra, Summersweet) 5

Plant Type:

Shrub 468

Growth Forms:

Upright 573

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 3 233

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Deciduous 839

Flower Notes:

White (Very fragrant, upright, white 2-6" long by 0.75" wide bottle brush-like flower racemes in summer; attractive to bees and butterflies)

Foliage Notes:

Green (Glossy medium to dark green foliage in summer); Orange (Attractive, yellow to orange foliage lasting for 3-4 weeks in the fall)

Stem Notes:

pubescent, rounded or three-sided

Fruit Notes:

Brown (Fruit capsules persist but with quite minor interest)

Ultimate Height:

4-8 feet

Ultimate Spread:

4-6 feet

Bloom Times:

Fruiting Times:

Light Requirements:

Soil Water Requirements:

Medium to wet 60

Soil Notes:

Best in acidic, fairly moist soil, even tolerating wet soil

Range:

Eastern United States

Maintenance:

Low 273

Diagnostic Characteristics:

Leaves are 1.5-4" long, 0.75-2" wide, alternate, simple, oblong, serrated near tip, and entire near margin. Distinct, dry, 3-valved fruiting panicles persist.

Ecological Functions:

Special Characteristics:

Wet Soil Tolerant 109

Additional Information

Spreads by underground stems to make large clumps, but can be restrained when necessary. Can be badly infested with mites, especially on dry soils. Can suffer in full sun and/or dry soils, but can bloom well in shade.