Summersweet, Clethra alnifolia

Clethra alnifolia (Summersweet) is a fragrant native flowering shrub that brings sweet perfume and pollinator activity to the mid- to late-summer garden. Its upright spikes of white, bottlebrush-like flowers bloom when few other shrubs are in flower, attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Glossy green foliage turns a soft golden yellow in fall, providing multi-season interest.

This adaptable deciduous shrub thrives in moist, acidic soils and performs beautifully in rain gardens, woodland edges, foundation plantings, and native landscapes. Naturally compact and low maintenance, Clethra alnifolia is also deer resistant and tolerant of shade, making it an excellent choice for challenging sites where other flowering shrubs struggle.

Key Features:

• Fragrant white summer flowers for pollinator gardens

• Native shrub ideal for rain gardens and shade

• Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds

• Deer resistant, cold hardy, and low maintenance

• Excellent for borders, foundation plantings, and woodland landscapes

Plant Details:
Height: 3–6 ft | Spread: 3–5 ft
Light: Full sun to partial shade (best flowering in sun)
Soil: Moist, acidic, well-drained soils; tolerates wet sites
Zones: 4–9

Plant Clethra alnifolia Summersweet for reliable summer fragrance, pollinator value, and a tough native shrub that thrives in moist and shady garden spaces.