Our Native Shrub for April is Clethra anifolia, commonly called summersweet or sweet pepperbush. A wide variety of butterflies and songbirds are attracted to clethra for its nectar and seeds. Native to Eastern United States, it has lustrous green leaves in the spring, spiky white or pink fragrant flowers during the summer, golden yellow leaves in the fall, and interesting, delicate dried seed capsules in winter to provide exceptional four-season interest. Clethra is somewhat unique among flowering shrubs because of its ability to bloom in shady locations in late summer when few other shrubs are in bloom. A good flowering shrub for shade or woodland gardens, foundations or shrub borders, but also will grow in a sunny spot. Clethra tolerates moist soils and may be naturalized or planted near a patio to enjoy the fragrant blooms and pollinators in summer bloom.

One variety is ‘Hummingbird,’ a small shrub which typically grows only 3-4′ tall. This cultivar retains a more compact, mounding shape and is more floriferous than the species (Clethra alnifolia). Its low maintenance, compact size makes this an ideal flowering shrub for smaller gardens.

 

 

 

Clethra alnifolia ‘Ruby Spice’ is a cultivar with rosy pink flowers, 4-6 ft tall, with an oval to rounded form.