Scientific Name:
Clethra alnifolia
Pronunciation:
KLETH-ruh al-nih-FOE-lee-uh
Common Name:
summersweet, sweet pepperbush
Family Name:
Clethraceae
Plant Type:
Shrub - deciduous
Key ID Features:
Suckering; leaves alternate, serrate except near the base with less than 40 teeth per side, most obovate, 4-10cm long x 2-4cm wide; flowers fragrant, white (or pink cv.), racemes, <15cm, late summer. Winter ID: leaf scar almost circular (notched at bud), raised bundle scars in horse-shoe shape; lateral buds red, wart-like, 0.5-2mm long; terminal bud conical 5-7mm long; capsules brown, oval, persistent.
Habit:
Upright
Form:
Round
Texture:
Medium
Mature Height:
2 - 3m
Mature Spread:
2 - 3m
Growth Rate:
Moderate
Origin:
Canada - eastern, U.S. - northeast
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 3: (-40 to -34 °C)
Exposure:
Part sun/part shade, Filtered shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Acidic, Humus rich
Water Use:
Wetlands
Landscape Uses:
Attract butterflies, Fragrance, Mixed shrub border, Summer interest, Woodland margin
Additional Info:
Google. Cultivars shown or on campus include C. 'Ruby Spice'.
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Alternate
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible
Surfaces:
Glabrous
Colour in Fall:
Yellow
Shapes:
Elliptic, Obovate
Apices:
Acute
Bases:
Cuneate
Margins:
Dentate, Serrate
Inflorescence Type:
Raceme, Floriferous
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
5
Corolla Shape:
Campanulate
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, White, Pink (C. 'Ruby Spice' has pinkish flowers.)
Flower Scent:
Fragrant
Flower Time at Peak:
Jul, Aug, Sep
Additional Info:
C. 'Paniculata' forms panicles; stamens 10
Fruit Type:
Capsule
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Oct, Nov
Additional Info:
Not showy, Accessory tissue, Persistent, 3-valved, enclosed in an enlarged calyx
Bark or Stem Colour:
Leaf Bud Type:
Ovoid
Leaf Scar Shape:
Round
Organ Modifications:
Runners (or stolons)
Propagation:
Seed, Cuttings
Pest Susceptibility:
(Pest resistant, Disease resistant, Deer resistant)
Course(s):
- CLT Training
- HORT 2355
- Level 4 Apprenticeship
Location(s):
- (ONE) Overpass North side East : cv. Ruby Spice
- (ONW) Overpass North side West