Clethra Species, Summersweet, Sweet Pepper Bush
Clethraalnifolia

Family: Clethraceae Genus: Clethra (KLEE-thra)
Species: alnifolia (al-nee-FOH-lee-uh)

Synonym:Clethra alnifolia var. denudata

Synonym:Clethra alnifolia var. glabella

Synonym:Clethra alnifolia var. paniculata

Synonym:Clethra alnifolia var. pubescens

Synonym:Clethra alnifolia var. rosea

Category

Shrubs

Water Requirements

Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater

Sun Exposure

Sun to Partial Shade

Foliage

Deciduous

Foliage Color

Unknown

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)

Where to Grow

Unknown

Danger

N/A

Bloom Color

Pale Pink
White/Near White

Bloom Characteristics

This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Flowers are fragrant

Bloom Size

Unknown

Bloom Time

Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall

Other details

Unknown

Soil pH requirements

5.1 to 5.5 (strongly acidic)
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

Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored