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Clethra acuminata (Cinnamon Clethra)

Mountain Pepperbush, Mountain Sweet Pepperbush, Cinnamon Clethra

Clethra acuminata, Mountain Pepperbush, Mountain Sweet Pepperbush, Cinnamon Clethra, Fragrant Shrub, White Flowers
Clethra acuminata, Mountain Pepperbush, Mountain Sweet Pepperbush, Cinnamon Clethra, Fragrant Shrub, White Flowers
Clethra acuminata, Mountain Pepperbush, Mountain Sweet Pepperbush, Cinnamon Clethra, Fragrant Shrub, White Flowers

Noted for its showy cinnamon-colored bark and fragrant white flowers, Clethra acuminata (Cinnamon Clethra) is a small, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub or handsome small tree with an elegant tiered branching habit. It boasts a profusion of drooping racemes in summer, 3-8 in. long (7-20 cm), and packed with pleasantly fragrant, small white bell flowers. Rich in nectar, they are attractive to butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. They are followed by spikes of peppercorn-shaped seed capsules, which persist through winter, providing continuing interest. Emerging in late spring, the rich glossy green foliage of alternate, simple leaves, 3-6 in. long (7-15 cm), turns bright golden-yellow in fall. The rich cinnamon-brown, exfoliating bark provides winter interest. Native to eastern North America, Cinnamon Clethra is a wonderful, trouble-free shrub with three seasons of interest, perfect for moist, slightly acidic, well-drained soils. Excellent as a specimen plant, in small groupings, shrub borders, or the woodland understory.

  • Grows up to 8-20 ft. tall (240-600 cm) with a spread of 4-6 ft. (120-180 cm). Develops a suckering habit and tends to form colonies slowly.
  • This plant is best grown in full sun to part shade in average, moist, slightly acidic, well-drained soils. Full shade is tolerated, though it flowers best with more sun.
  • Great for butterfly gardens, native gardensshade, or woodland gardens.
  • This plant enjoys excellent resistance to pests and diseases. However, keep an eye out for fungal dieback and root rot. Deer resistant.
  • Can be pruned to a tree form.
  • Propagate by seed or softwood cuttings, with or without hormone treatment, under mist.
  • Native to eastern North America.

Requirements

Hardiness 6 - 7
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Clethraceae
Genus Clethra
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 8' - 20'
(240cm - 6m)
Spread 4' - 6'
(120cm - 180cm)
Spacing 60" - 72"
(150cm - 180cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy
Native Plants Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Northeast, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Southeast, Tennessee, United States, Virginia, West Virginia
Tolerance Full Shade, Deer
Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Clethra Alnifolia, Coastal Pepperbush, Coastal Sweet Pepperbush, Coastal Sweet Pepper, Alderleaf Pepperbush, Alderleaf Clethra, Clethra, Summer Sweet
Clethra barbinervis, Japanese Clethra, Japanese Sweet Shrub, Fragrant Shrub, White Flowers
Clethra Alnifolia VANILLA SPICE,  Sweet Pepper Bush VANILLA SPICE, Sweet Pepperbush VANILLA SPICE, Summer Sweet VANILLA SPICE, Summersweet VANILLA SPICE
Clethra Alnifolia 'Hummingbird', Sweet Pepper Bush 'Hummingbird', Sweet Pepperbush 'Hummingbird', Summer Sweet 'Hummingbird', Summersweet 'Hummingbird'
Clethra Alnifolia 'Ruby Spice', Sweet Pepper Bush 'Ruby Spice', Sweet Pepperbush 'Ruby Spice', Summer Sweet 'Ruby Spice', Summersweet 'Ruby Spice'

Recommended Companion Plants

Acer saccharum, Sugar Maple, Northern Sugar Maple, Rock Maple, Striped Maple, Acer palmifolium, Acer saccharophorum, Tree with fall color, Fall color, Red Leaves, Red Autumn Leaves,
Hydrangea Arborescens, Smooth Hydrangea, Wild Hydrangea, Sevenbark, White hydrangea
Magnolia virginiana, Sweet Bay Magnolia, Sweetbay, Sweetbay Magnolia, Southern Sweetbay, Swampbay, Swamp Magnolia, Sweet Magnolia, Small Magnolia, Laurel Magnolia, White Bay, White Laurel, Swamp Laurel, Beaver Tree, White magnolia, White flowers, Fragrant tree, semi-evergreen tree, evergreen tree
Leucothoe fontanesiana 'Rainbow', Dog Hobble 'Rainbow', Highland Doghobble 'Rainbow', Drooping Leucothoe 'Rainbow', Evergreen Shrub
Polystichum acrostichoides,  Christmas Fern, Dagger Fern, Shade plants, shade perennial, plants for shade, Evergreen Fern
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 6 - 7
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Clethraceae
Genus Clethra
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 8' - 20'
(240cm - 6m)
Spread 4' - 6'
(120cm - 180cm)
Spacing 60" - 72"
(150cm - 180cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy
Native Plants Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Northeast, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Southeast, Tennessee, United States, Virginia, West Virginia
Tolerance Full Shade, Deer
Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Learn Now
Not sure which Clethra to pick?
Compare Now

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