Hardy Summersweet How To Grow Clethra Alnifolia

It prefers acidic, sandy soil that is moist but will tolerate clay soils and full shade. Water regularly as needed so the soil does not dry out. You can expand plant with seeds or use cuttings to make more shrubs. It also tends to sucker and will spread naturally if not pruned.

How do you grow Clethra alnifolia?

Clethra alnifolia in full bloom during July. Clethra grows best in acid, moist, well-drained soils. For planting in heavy clay soils, it is best to add a soil amendment, such as composted, ground pine bark, to enhance soil drainage.

Where do Summersweet grow?

To get the most from your summersweet shrub, place it in a location where it will have plenty of growing room, as this plant tends to reach anywhere from 5 to 7 feet (1.5-2 m.) in height and spreads about 6 to 8 feet (2-2.5 m.) across. It also prefers moist to wet soil that is slightly acidic.

Is Clethra alnifolia invasive?

A non-invasive alternative to the Butterfly Bush, Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia) is a spicy-scented shrub with white or pink flowers that lures birds, bees, and butterflies, turns gold in fall, and grows, on average, 5 to 8 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide. in zones 3 to 9. | Photo: Doreen Wynja | thisoldhouse.com.

When should I prune my Clethra?

Pruning should be done in early spring before leafing out. Crossing, winter killed, badly formed or damaged branches should be removed back to a main branch, some shaping can be done as well. This plant blooms on new wood so you can “go nuts” if that is prudent. This plant grows and develops best in acidic soil.

Is Clethra poisonous to dogs?

The homeowners also wanted vegetation to soften the fence-line, and the most important factor for any garden frequented by pets is toxicity. ... “The shade-tolerant plants that we use in these two gardens are astilbe, coral bells, summer sweet clethra, agastache and catmint, which is a relative of catnip,” Chiamulera says.

What does Summersweet smell like?

Summersweet really is a perfect description for Clethra. Pretty pink or white flowers smell sweet like honey and bloom in July and August when most shrubs have given up on blooming. Add to that its carefree nature and you have a perfect addition to the summer garden.

Should I deadhead Summersweet?

"Hummingbird" summersweet blooms for four to six weeks, but does not tend to rebloom when deadheaded. Removing spent flowers would also eliminate the attractive dark brown seed capsules that provide winter interest.

Is Summersweet an evergreen?

A profusion of fragrant white flower spikes appear mid to late summer on this upright, rounded, densely branched shrub. The glossy dark green foliage turns golden yellow in fall.
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We no longer grow this plant.

Botanical Pronunciation	KLEE-thra al-nee-FOH-lee-uh
Bloom Time	Mid to Late Summer
Deciduous/ Evergreen	Deciduous

Is Clethra an evergreen?

Clethra are deciduous and evergreen shrubs and small trees grown for their fragrant white to yellow-white, cup-like flowers. Leaves are mid- to dark green, alternate, simple, and finely to coarsely toothed. Clethra are suitable for a woodland garden or mixed border.

What are the most fragrant trees?

6 Incredibly Fragrant Trees and Shrubs

Night Blooming Jasmine. This is woody evergreen shrub is not known for its beauty, but it's amazing fragrance. ...
Miami Supreme Gardenia. ...
Sweet Almond. ...
Winter Daphne. ...
Banana Shrub. ...
Royal Empress Trees.

What is the most fragrant evergreen?

10 plants with scented foliage

Myrtle. Myrtus communis is an aromatic, evergreen shrub with pretty white flowers in summer. ...
Monarda. Monarda (bergamot or bee balm) has aromatic, citrussy foliage, and shaggy flowers that are extremely attractive to bees. ...
Sweet bay. ...
Salvia x jamensis 'Hot Lips' ...
Eucalyptus. ...
Cotton lavender.

What can I plant instead of a butterfly bush?

Here are 3 of our favorite native plant replacements for butterfly bush.

Clethra alnifolia Sweet Pepperbush. ...
Cephalanthus occidentalis Buttonbush. ...
Ceanothus americanus New Jersey tea.

How do you prune a Summersweet Clethra?

To control the overall size of the shrub, prune about one-third of the longest stems back to the ground but do so randomly so that the shrub retains a natural look. Summersweet can be easily propagated from stem cuttings in early summer or from seed that is planted in either spring or fall.

How do you prune sweet shrubs?

This shrub should be pruned after it has bloomed. Shape and thin as needed, somewhat slow growing, think twice, cut once. By fertilizing young shrubs you can increase both the size and the amount of flowers on the plant.

When Should Rose of Sharon be pruned?

Pruning rose of Sharon shrub may be done in late fall or winter after leaves drop or in early spring before buds form. Rose of Sharon pruning done later than early spring may cause the loss of some blooms, but those that are not removed will be larger.

Is Pampas Grass toxic to dogs?

According to the University of Arkansas and Mid Town Animal Clinic, pampas grass when ingested can cause sickness or death. Dogs can have a varied reaction to the poisonous pampas grass such as vomiting, drooling diarrhea, seizures or coma. Pets that eat poisonous plants often hide from their owners when they feel bad.

Is pampas grass poisonous to humans?

Homeowners who have children and pets in their home must be careful when choosing landscaping plants for their yard or garden. Pampas grass is a good choice because it is non-toxic to animals and humans.

Which plants are dangerous for dogs?

List of poisonous plants

Aconitum.
Amaryllis bulbs.
Asparagus fern.
Azalea.
Bluebells.
Cyclamen.
Daffodil bulbs.
Day lilies.

What is the strongest smelling honeysuckle?

To naturalists, however, the sweet scent of honeysuckle smells like trouble. Though perceptible at any time of the day, the fragrance of Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) is most potent in dimming light. Its aroma permeates vast acres with a mouthwatering, heady fragrance.

What is the most fragrant jasmine?

Common jasmine (Jasminum officinale), sometimes called poet's jasmine, is one of the most fragrant types of jasmine. The intensely fragrant flowers bloom throughout the summer and into the fall.

Which is the most fragrant Philadelphus?

Regarded as one of the most fragrant of all Mock Oranges, Philadelphus 'Avalanche' is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub of great beauty when in bloom. In late spring to early summer, its pleasantly arching branches bear clusters of cup-shaped, 4-petaled, white flowers, 1 in. across (2.5 cm), at their tips.