Native Shrub of the Month
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.…
