Clethra, Summersweet, Sweet Pepper Bush 'Ruby Spice'

Clethra alnifolia

Genus
Clethra (KLEE-thra)
Species
alnifolia (al-nee-FOH-lee-uh)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
Spacing
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Danger
N/A
Bloom Color
Pink
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other Details
Category
Shrubs
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Flowers are fragrant
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From softwood cuttings
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
By simple layering
By serpentine layering
Seed Collecting
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Adana, Adana(2 reports)

Madison, Alabama

Pelham, Alabama

Vincent, Alabama

Anchorage, Alaska

Sherwood, Arkansas

Sacramento, California

Stamford, Connecticut

Westport, Connecticut

Ocean View, Delaware

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

Bokeelia, Florida

Decatur, Georgia

Winterville, Georgia

Chicago, Illinois

Hanna City, Illinois

Iowa City, Iowa

Hancock, Maine

Beverly, Massachusetts

Feeding Hills, Massachusetts

Mashpee, Massachusetts

Wellfleet, Massachusetts

Wrentham, Massachusetts

Blissfield, Michigan

East Tawas, Michigan

Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Hudson, New Hampshire

Haddonfield, New Jersey

Averill Park, New York

Beacon, New York

East Setauket, New York

Elba, New York

Nineveh, New York

North Tonawanda, New York

Port Washington, New York

Poughkeepsie, New York

Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Pittsboro, North Carolina

Raleigh, North Carolina

Sylva, North Carolina

Akron, Ohio

Canton, Ohio

Cincinnati, Ohio

Fredericktown, Ohio

MOUNT HOOD PARKDALE, Oregon

Bradford, Pennsylvania

Downingtown, Pennsylvania

Mountain Top, Pennsylvania

Quakertown, Pennsylvania

Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania

Wyoming, Pennsylvania

College Grove, Tennessee

Collierville, Tennessee

Maryville, Tennessee

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Quechee, Vermont

Orlean, Virginia

Richmond, Virginia

Concrete, Washington

East Port Orchard, Washington

Kalama, Washington

Parkwood, Washington

Port Orchard, Washington

Vancouver, Washington

Racine, Wisconsin

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

9
positives
3
neutrals
0
negative
Sort By:
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C
ROSLINDALE, MA | May 2015 | positive

The July flowers are the deepest pink Clethra yet, though I find the color is still insipid. As with the species, the sweet fragrance is ...Read More

K
Saginaw, MI | May 2015 | neutral

I planted a Summersweet last year (2014). The fragrance was phenomenal! Now we are in mid May 2015 and I haven't seen any leaves even b...Read More

M
Pittsboro, NC | July 2014 | positive

I saw these for the first time last year. I bought five from three different nurseries, all of which looked to be at death's door. The...Read More

B
Concrete, WA | July 2013 | positive

I planted my first pink spire 5 years ago. It got full hot sun for a few years while waiting for the shrub border to grow and produce so...Read More

S
S
Stamford, CT | June 2013 | positive

Marvelous fragrance makes this plant a winner. Easily propagated from the side shoots that a mature plant sends up. Flowers best in sun...Read More

P
Central, AL (Zone 8a) | August 2008 | positive

Blooms mid summer, when spring flowers have faded. Attracts pollinators of all sorts. Sweet perfume is delightful from several feet away....Read More

S
Richmond, VA | August 2006 | positive

Neat bush with attractive fragrance. I have this planted in my backyard in partial shade. This is its first year and it had medium growth.

A
A
Wrentham, MA | August 2006 | positive

The last to put out its leaves in the Spring in my yard, it pays back the late foliage with beautiful unusually deep pink spires that fil...Read More

S
Atlanta, GA (Zone 7b) | May 2005 | positive

Atlanta - I have had this plant in full sun - full, HOT, afternoon sun - for two or three years and it has done well here. I did not know...Read More

B
Irving, TX (Zone 8a) | May 2005 | positive

I have been quite pleased with this cultivar. Though late to leaf out it has beautiful dark blue green leaves. The plant starts floweri...Read More

S
Oklahoma City, OK (Zone 7a) | August 2001 | neutral

Easily grown in average, medium wet to wet, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Adaptive to wide range of soil, moisture and lig...Read More

T
T
Murfreesboro, TN (Zone 7a) | March 2001 | neutral

Fragrant deep pink flowers on glossy green foliage appear in late summer. Grows naturally in wet places; plant in moist acid soil amended...Read More

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