Clethra, Summersweet, Sweet Pepper Bush 'Hummingbird'

This dwarf form of Summersweet was registered as a new cultivar in 1991. It grows about 3 feet high and is at least 4 feet wide, but in t...Read Moreime is widens more. It will sucker a lot in really moist or draining wet soils. It has often been replaced by a newer cultivar of 'Sixteen Candles' because the former has some drooping twigs and flower clusters while the latter holds its flower clusters and end twigs more erect.

I may regret putting this shrub in a perennial border since it suckers, but it has a nice form and I was sold on it after watching a humm...Read Moreingbird visit it. This plant did not do well for me in partial shade (poor soil, granted) but it has thrived in sun, adequate water and good soil.

Thrives in partial shade but as noted above, it can be late to leaf out. My mature plant is a bit sprawled, so I've supported it with a r...Read Moreing support. This improves the overall appearance of the plant. I otherwise pretty much leave this alone, except for random deadheading of the old bracts in the spring and summer by snapping them off when I happen to be near-by. White flowers lighten up shady areas.

It's very late to leaf out in the spring. Every year we think it's dead, but around mid-May it finally sends its leaves out and looks fi...Read Morene. That coupled with a somewhat leggy structure makes it more of a 'backyard' plant than something for the front walk, but it smells so wonderful, and holds its flowers for a long time. Does attract bees though. (plants referenced are in part-shade)