Clethra alnifolia – Summersweet (B&B.DR.EC.HMR.M.NB.OP)

Ecosystem Services:
(B)-Birds                                             (B&B)-Birds & Butterflies

(BTF)-Butterflies                             (BW)-Black Walnut Resistant

(DR)-Deer Resistant                      (DRGHT)-Drought Resistant

(EC)-Erosion Control                    (EVR)-Evergreen

(FC)-Fall Color                                 (FRG)-Fragrant

(GRD)-Groundcover                      (H)-Host plant

(HMR)-Hummingbirds                (M)-Mammals

(MTH)-Moths                                   (N)-Nectar

(NB)-Native Bees                            (NST)-Nesting Material

(OP)-Other pollinators                 (RR)-Rabbit Resistant

(SHWY)-Showy                                (SPC)-Specimen Plant

Sweet pepperbush, is a deciduous shrub and it may grow to 5 to 10 feet. It often spreads into mounded clumps. The bark is gray and loosely striped. Small, white flowers occurring in dense clusters on long 3 to 6 inch terminal spikes mature in late summer. The flowers produce high quality nectar and pollen that supports hummingbirds, butterflies, bees and other pollinators. The shrub produces a brown, dry capsule that matures in the fall and provides seed to birds during the winter. Sweet Pepperbush is unique among flowering shrubs because it blooms in shady locations in late summer when few other shrubs are in bloom.

This shrub is often grown as a screen, or as a specimen, on in groupings as a border. It prefers moist, sometimes wet, acidic soil with organic material and tolerates short periods of drought and flooding once established. It tolerates full sun to partial shade, but will not tolerate a hot, dry site.   It is a good bee plant and the flowers are very aromatic. When grown in conditions similar to its native habitat, it will produce suckers and eventually form small thickets. However, it responds well to pruning.

Hummingbirds, butterflies, native bees, and other pollinators are attracted to the nectar blooms. Fruits are eaten by birds and small mammals.