Is Clethra alnifolia fast growing?
How to Grow Clethra Alnifolia. This slow-growing shrub is quite adaptable to a wide range of conditions.
How big does Clethra alnifolia grow?
3-8 ft. tall
This shrub usually grows to 3 to 6 feet in height, but can be up to 8-feet tall. Summersweet typically spreads to 4 to 6 feet and forms an oval shape….How to Grow Summersweet.
| Botanical Name | Clethra alnifolia |
|---|---|
| Mature Size | 3-8 ft. tall, 4-6 ft. wide |
| Sun Exposure | Full sun, part shade |
| Soil Type | Loam, clay, sand |
Does Clethra alnifolia grow in shade?
Easily grown in average, medium to wet soils in full sun to part shade. Prefers part shade and consistently moist, acidic, sandy soils. Soils should not be allowed to dry out. Tolerates clay soils.
Does Clethra alnifolia need full sun?
It grows best in full sun to part shade and moist to wet soil. Use summersweet in rain gardens, shrub borders, narrow spaces and perennial gardens where its four-season beauty can be enjoyed.
Is Clethra alnifolia invasive?
It has fragrant flowers in July and August loved by pollinators. This shrub is beautiful when it is blooming, and it keeps a compact form if pruned every fall after blooming. But it is very invasive.
Is Clethra alnifolia deer resistant?
The summersweet that I see on the Cape is the native Clethra alnifolia. It has a broad native range and is indigenous from Maine down to Florida, and across to Texas. Along with these amenable credentials, Clethra is deer resistant and attracts butterflies and hummingbirds with its fragrant flowers.
Is Clethra alnifolia toxic to dogs?
“Both homeowners have these very playful, large-breed dogs with modest-sized, shady yards,” says Eva Chiamulera, a landscape architect with Austin Ganim Landscape Design in Fairfield.
What is eating my Clethra alnifolia?
Hummingbirds, butterflies, native bees, and other pollinators are attracted to the nectar blooms. Fruits are eaten by birds and small mammals.
What does Clethra smell like?
The flowers offer a strong, but never-cloying scent that recalls honeysuckle, rose, clove, and heliotrope. You’ll find this North American native is extremely easy to grow: Ideally, Clethra (or “Summer Sweet,” as it is commonly called) wants filtered light, abundant moisture, and slightly-acidic soil.
Is Clethra toxic?
While it grows in shade, the seed inside the berries is toxic to pets and people. In fact, the leaves and buds are also toxic to cats and horses. These parts of the plant contains a chemical more commonly known as cyanide. If a pup chews on the plant, the chewing action releases the toxins.
What plants look good with Clethra?
Because of its honey gold autum foliage, Clethra also looks beautiful when planted near darker foliage shrubs such as purple-leafed Cotinus, and Physocarpus cultivars ‘Diabolo’, ‘Coppertinia’, and ‘Summer Wine’.