How to Grow and Care for Summersweet

Summersweet, also known as Sweet pepperbush, Coastal sweetpepperbush, White alder, Sweet spire

Summersweet is recognized for its adaptability and low-maintenance needs, making it an easy plant to care for. It thrives in moist, well-drained soils with partial to full sun exposure. A special care point for summersweet includes ensuring consistent soil moisture without overwatering. Additionally, summersweet benefits from a layer of mulch to keep its roots cool and moist, especially during hot summers. Regular pruning after flowering helps maintain its shape and promotes vigorous growth.

Watering schedule: Every 1-2 weeks

Sunlight Requirements: Partial sun

In This Article

Planting and Growing Summersweet

Toughness	High
Care Level	Low
Care Difficulty	Easy
Lifespan	Perennial
Watering Schedule	Every 1-2 weeks
Sunlight Requirements	Partial sun
Soil Type	Garden Soil
Soil pH	4.5-6
Planting Time	Spring, Fall
Hardiness Zones	3-9

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Varieties of Summersweet

Summersweet 'Ruby Spice'

Discovered in 1992 as a sport of the Clethra alnifolia ‘Pink Spire’, summersweet 'Ruby Spice' has become a popular cultivar. It is noted for its pleasantly fragrant, pink flower panicles, which stand above dark green foliage that fades to yellow in the fall. Thanks to its shrub-forming growth habit, summersweet 'Ruby Spice' makes a perfect choice for a hedge or border.

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More General Info About Summersweet

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Summersweet is a deciduous shrub that commonly achieves a height between 5 to 10 feet (1.5 to 3 meters) and typically forms expansive mounded clumps. The foliage is comprised of broad leaves with a resemblance to alder leaves, displaying a finely serrated edge. During its blooming period, summersweet is adorned with fragrant, densely packed spikes of small white flowers. These blossoms can attract a plethora of pollinators, adding to the aesthetic appeal of this shrub.