Family:  Clethraceae
Light:  Sun-part shade
Height:  6-8'
Spacing:  4-6'
Blooms:  Fragrant, cluster, dark rose-pink, 3-4" long, late Spring
Foliage:  Aromatic, deciduous, oblong, glossy, serrated, blue-green turns yellow in Fall, spicy sweet
Soil:  Well-drained, organic, acidic
Water:  Moderate
Fruit:  3-Valved, in Winter 
Uses:  Fall interest, landscape, butterfly garden, hummingbird garden
Propagation:  Seeds, softwood cuttings, layering
Comments:  Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice or Summersweet or Sweet Pepper Bush is a beautiful deciduous shrub with a rhizomatous growth habit.  Clethra is a native of Southeast United States, Japan and China.  In mid-Summer, Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice' produces exquisite clusters of rosy-pink blossoms appear, followed later by seeds.  Hummingbirds, butterflies and bees are very much attracted to the nectar-rich blossoms.  Summersweet has aromatic deep, blue-green foliage with a spicy sweet scent; they add color to the Fall landscape as they turn to a beautiful yellow in color.  It is easily propagated from seeds, layering or cuttings.  Sweet Pepper Bush thrives best in well-drained, organically-rich, moist, acidic soil, in a sunny to part shade location.  It has rhizomatous roots that puts out suckers which can be removed and propagated.  Prune early if necessary in Spring to promote new growth.  Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice' looks delightful in the shady landscape.  The glowy yellow foliage in the Fall looks delightful. Summersweet is showy and is highly sought by many gardeners.  It attracts many admirers.

USDA Zones:  3-9