Description
Common Name: Sweet pepperbush
Clethra ‘Hummingbird’ is a compact cultivar of Clethra alnifolia (‘Summersweet’), a deciduous shrub known for its mid to late summer blooms of gorgeous and fragrant white flowers that provide a source of nectar for various pollinators. Clethra will tolerate wet, poor drainage and even flower in full shade. This shrub is so versatile and tolerates pruning, and it blooms during a time when nectar sources may be low. Clethra is a must have for every garden and your pollinators will agree!
A benefit to planting Clethra ‘Hummingbird’ is its slower spread and more compact size at maturity. This cultivar also tends to produce a greater number of the spikes (panicles) that bear the flowers. These traits make the ‘Hummingbird’ cultivar a highly attractive and fragrant addition to any small garden space, regardless of the sunlight available!
Size: 1 quart, 2yo old shrub. Will often bloom their first year.
Height: 2.0-4.0′
Spread: 3.0-5.0′
Flower Description: White, five-pedaled flowers in spikes, fragrant.
Light requirement: Full sun to full shade. Prefers partial shade.
Hardy Zones: 4,5,6,7,8,9,10
Soil Type: Medium to wet soils with a wide tolerance for type (including clay). Prefers acidic, sandy soil that is kept consistently moist.
Attributes: Proven Winner (PW), Attracts butterflies, Attracts bees, Attracts hummingbirds, Deer resistant, Insect resistant, Shade
Care: Very low maintenance. Prune in late winter (if needed)
