Hummingbird Summersweet — Clethra alnifolia 'Hummingbird'

Hummingbird Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia 'Hummingbird') is one of the finest compact native shrubs for shaded and woodland gardens — a densely branched, mounded deciduous shrub that produces sweetly fragrant white flower spikes in summer that are a magnet for hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees, followed by attractive brown seedpods that persist through winter for continued interest. A Georgia native and Eastern North America native, Hummingbird Summersweet is notably shade and moisture tolerant — thriving in conditions that challenge many other flowering shrubs. The glossy dark green foliage is attractive throughout the growing season, then transitions to warm shades of yellow to golden brown in fall for a lovely autumnal display. One of the best native shrubs for rain gardens, moist borders, woodland gardens, and naturalized areas. Thrives in full to part sun with acidic, moist, well-drained soils. Hardy to Zone 4.

MAINTENANCE NEEDS: Low Maintenance. Do not let soils dry out. Remove suckers unless naturalization is desired. Watch for spider mites in dry conditions.
LANDSCAPE USES: Accents or Group Plantings, Borders, Woodland Gardens, Native Gardens, Hedges, and Containers.

COMPANION PLANTS: Ninebark, Dogwood, Coneflower

*As plants have ranges in appearance they may not appear as the images shown.