ShrubNative
Clethra alnifolia
Summersweet
‘Hummingbird’
Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia) is a deciduous shrub that typically grows 6-12 feet tall and often spreads to form colonies. It thrives in moist to wet soils and is well-suited for rain gardens or naturalized areas. Summersweet prefers part shade but can tolerate full sun or even full shade, though flowering is best with more sunlight. This plant requires consistently moist conditions and does not tolerate drought well. Its fragrant white flower spikes bloom in mid to late summer, attracting pollinators. Summersweet is ideal for acidic soils and is valued for its adaptability to wet sites and its ornamental appeal.
- Native range
- Eastern United StatesNative here
- Bloom time
- July – September
- Garden location
- West Deck Foundation