Shrubs
Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice' (Summersweet)
Clethra alnifolia
Also known as Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice'
Available at our Langlois nursery
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About This Plant
Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice' (Summersweet), 'Ruby Spice', is valued for its garden character and seasonal interest in PNW landscapes.
Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia) , eastern N American native (and well-suited to PNW) with intensely fragrant white or pink summer flower spikes that draw bees and butterflies. Tolerates wet sites.
Part shade to full sun suits this species. Plant in moist; tolerates wet sites soil. Hardy USDA Zone 3 to 9. Generally trouble-free. Suckers slowly.
For a Pacific Northwest native shrub of similar character, consider Mahonia aquifolium (Tall Oregon Grape, Oregon state flower), Philadelphus lewisii (Mock Orange), or Holodiscus discolor (Oceanspray) , all support native pollinators and birds.
Plant Details
- Botanical
- Clethra alnifolia
- Common name
- Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice'
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage type
- Deciduous
- Mature size
- 3-6 ft tall × 4-6 ft wide
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Bloom time
- Midsummer to late summer
- Bloom color
- Red
- Foliage color
- Green
Care Notes
Garden Attributes
- Pacific NW native
- Deer resistant
- Coastal suitable
- Grown organically
- Pollinator value: Bees, Bumblebees, Native bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
- Wildlife: Pollinator support, Hummingbird nectar
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Our inventory changes with the seasons. Before you drive out, give us a call or text, we'll confirm availability and can hold a plant for you.