Clethra alnifolia

Summer Sweet Bush / Sweet Pepper Bush

Summer sweet is a vase-shaped deciduous shrub, which features fluffy, bottle brush-like, 3-6" spikes of extremely fragrant white flowers that are an extremely important nectar source in summer. Glossy, dark green leaves turn a rich yellow in autumn.

Benefits

	Big wands of spicy-sweet scented, showy white flowers
	Flowers bloom for 4-6 weeks in mid- to late summer and attract butterflies and other pollinators
	Grows well in wet soil; will naturalize over time
	Will bloom in shade
	Shrubby stems provide nesting sites and protective cover for wildlife

Homeowner Growing and Maintenance Tips

Easy to grow in medium to wet, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Will grow in heavier shade but not as vigorously.

Prefers part shade and consistently moist to wet, acidic soils but adapts to a wide range of soil, moisture and light conditions.

Spreads slowly by rhizomes.

Height 5-7 Feet

Spread 6-8 Feet

Native Range Swamps and moist woods within 100 miles of the Atlantic coast, from southern Maine to northern Florida and along the Gulf to east Texas.

Native Trivia Vernal pools are small temporary pools of water that form from rainwater or snowmelts in the spring, and dry up during the summer. These are important shelters and breeding habitats for frogs, toads and salamanders.

USDA Hardiness Zone 3-9

Characteristics & Attributes

Plan Sub Group • Medium to Tall Shrubs	Exposure • Shade • Filtered Shade • Sun	Soil Moisture Preference • Average • Wet • Moist but well-drained	Attracts Wildlife • Reptiles • Butterflies
Bloom Time • Summer	Habitat Collection • Butterfly • Wet Sun	Native Habitat • Forest • Riparian, wetland	Foliage Color • Dark Green
Uses • Fragrant