A wide variety of butterflies and songbirds are attracted to summersweet clethra for its nectar and seeds. Native to the eastern United States, it provides exceptional four season interest with its lustrous green leaves in the spring, spiky white or pink fragrant summer flowers, golden yellow autumn leaves, and interesting, delicate dried seed capsules in winter.
- Family (English) Summersweet
- Family (botanic) Clethraceae
- Tree or plant type Shrub
- Foliage Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
- Native locale North America
- Size range Small shrub (3-5 feet), Medium shrub (5-8 feet)
- Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily), Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily), Full shade (4 hrs or less of light daily)
- Hardiness zones Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9
- Soil preference Acid soil, Moist, well-drained soil, Wet soil
- Tolerances Alkaline soil, Occasional flooding, Road salt, Wet sites
- Season of interest early winter, midwinter, midsummer, late summer, early fall, mid fall, late fall
- Flower color and fragrance Fragrant, Pink, White
- Shape or form Oval, Round, Thicket-forming, Upright
- Growth rate Moderate, Slow