Clethra alnifolia ‘Caleb’ VANILLA SPICE’ (Summersweet)

Clethra alnifolia ‘Caleb’ VANILLA SPICE’ (Summersweet) is a compact, slowly spreading, deciduous shrub boasting bottlebrush spikes of extremely fragrant white flowers which bloom for 4-6 weeks in mid to late summer. Each individual flower is quite large, 10-12 in. long (25-30 cm), roughly double the size of other varieties. Opening from bottom to top, they are very attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, at a time of the year when there’s not a wealth of nectars to choose from. The flowers give way to spikes of dark brown fruits which persist into winter, providing continuing interest. The serrated, glossy, dark green foliage turns golden-yellow in fall. One of its most attractive characteristics is to produce great blooms in shady locations. A popular Summersweet selection because it is more compact and its flowers are larger than the species.

• Densely-branched, rounded, this summer-flowering shrub spreads slowly by suckers and typically grows 3-6 ft. tall and wide (90-180 cm).
• This plant is best grown in full sun to part shade in average, medium to wet, acidic, sandy soils. Tolerates full shade. Do not let the soil dry out. Clay and wet soil tolerant.
• Flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Clethra alnifolia is rarely bothered by deer.
• Mass in mixed shrub borders for dramatic summer blooms. Great flowering shrub for shade or woodland gardens or along stream banks or ponds. May be naturalized in cottage gardens, wild gardens or naturalized areas.
• This plant enjoys excellent resistance to insects and diseases.
• Promptly remove root suckers unless a naturalized look is desired.
• This shrub flowers on new wood, so pruning for shape is best done in spring.
• Propagate by cuttings.