Clethra alnifolia Ruby Spice
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.
