

How to identify Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia)
Summersweet, also known as White alder
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.
Fragrant white flowers on dense spikes (5-15 cm) bloom June to August.
Distinctive dry capsules (3 mm) with three valves, maturing to brown.
Glossy obovate leaves (7.5-10 cm long) turning golden brown in fall.
Slender trunk with gray, vertically striped bark developing into scaly ridges.
Pubescent fruit capsules, tan-brown in autumn, remaining on plant for over a year.
The leaves of summersweet are glossy in summer and transform into shades of yellow to golden brown in fall. They measure about 3 to 4 inches (7.5 to 10 cm) long and 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) wide. The leaves are obovate with an acute to acuminate tip and serrated margins that become entire toward the base. They have a lustrous medium to dark green color and are late to leaf out in spring, featuring an alternate, simple arrangement.
The flowers of summersweet are fragrant, small, and white, arranged densely on narrow, cylindric spikes measuring 2 to 6 inches (5 to 15 cm) long, often clustered at the branch ends. In racemes that are 3 to 5 inches (7.5 to 12.5 cm) long, these showy flowers bloom from June to August on current season growth. Their scent and striking arrangement make them easily identifiable.
The fruit of summersweet are distinctive dry capsules that add visual interest through the colder months. Each capsule is small, with a diameter of about 1/8 inch (around 3 mm), and features three valves. They possess a pubescent, or slightly fuzzy, texture and are initially green, maturing to a robust brown. By autumn, particularly from September to October, the fruit ripens, turning brown and remaining on the plant for over a year. These dehiscent capsules open when ripe, releasing seeds for dispersal.
Gardenia jasminoides is an evergreen shrub with unique, glossy evergreen leaves and stunning flowers. The sophisticated, matte white flowers are often used in bouquets. The exceptional beauty of this ornamental plant has made it a popular and highly appreciated plant amongst gardeners and horticulturalists.
The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant that is commonly seen in Australia, Asia, and the West Indies. It goes by many nicknames, including "devil's ivy", because it is so hard to kill and can even grow in low light conditions. Golden pothos has poisonous sap, so it should be kept away from pets and children.
Solanum lycopersicum is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native to Central and South America that produces a large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato. Today there are over 10000 cultivated varieties. Although tomato is the world’s most popular vegetable, botanically it is a fruit.
The pepper are commonly used for cooking in places such as the Southern U.S. and Central America. Most are moderately spicy, though because there are so many variants, the spice level can vary dramatically. Cayenne powder is also a popular seasoning product made from pepper plants.
The swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) produces bright, glossy leaves and makes a popular houseplant. It is originally native to tropical forest regions in Central America. The nickname swiss cheese plant refers to the small holes that develop in the plant's leaves. The long fruits resemble corncobs and smell sweet and fragrant when ripe.
The bigleaf hydrangea is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, and is known for its lush, oval, colorful inflorescence. The two types of Hydrangea macrophylla are mopheads - with large, ball-shaped, sterile flower clusters, and lace capes - with small round fertile flowers in the center, and sterile flowers on the outer side of each inflorescence. Depending on soil pH, blooms can change color from pink to blue.
Scientific Classification of Summersweet