Clethra alnifolia Ruby Spice
Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice' photo Missouri Botanical Garden
Summersweet

Clethra 'Ruby Spice' produces long lasting, fragrant bottle-brush like flowers of rich rose-pink in the summer. It has lustorous dark green leaves that turn glowing yellow in the fall. Its compact habit makes this a good choice for small gardens in shrub borders and mixed into perennial borders. Deciduous.

  • Height: 120 -180 cm (4 -6 ft)
  • Spread: 90 - 150 cm (3 - 5 ft)
  • Hardiness: zone 3 - 9
  • Sun or Shade: part to full shade
  • Bloom Time: mid summer to fall
  • Leaf Colour: green
  • Bloom Colour: pink
  • Critter Resistance: deer
  • Nature Attraction: butterflies and hummingbirds

Growing and Maintenance Tips

Clethra is an excellent choice for a woodland garden.  It prefers a lightly shaded location and moist soil that is acidic so peat moss should be incorporated into the soil at planting time. Compost should also be worked into the soil and a mulch used to retain moisture. Water it during periods of drought to prevent leaf scorch.

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