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Summersweet Shrubs: Fragrant, Versatile & Easy to Grow!
Summersweet shrubs (Clethra), also known as Sweet Pepperbush, are the perfect addition to any garden! Renowned for their fragrant flowers, these deciduous shrubs bring beauty, pollinators, and year-round interest to landscapes of all sizes.
Summersweet flowering shrubs thrives in a variety of conditions, including shade and wet areas where other plants struggle.
Nature Hills Nursery offers a variety of unique Summersweet shrubs, each with its own charm! Whether you're looking for sparkler-like summer blooms, compact size, glossy foliage, or hardy, low-maintenance plants, Summersweet checks all the boxes!
Summersweet Varieties at Nature Hills Nursery
Native to Eastern North America, USDA hardiness zones 3 to 9, these are adaptable shrubs! Nature Hills Nursery offers several stunning Summersweet varieties, each with unique features:
- Summer Sparkler™: Compact 3–4 feet tall size with fragrant white bottlebrush flowers and glossy green foliage.
- Ruby Spice: A favorite for its deep pink flowers and upright form.
- Hummingbird: Dwarf variety with pure white flowers, perfect for small gardens or containers.
- Sixteen Candles: Named for its upright, candle-like flower spikes; stays compact and neat.
- Sugartina®: Known for its long bloom period and strong sweet fragrance.
- Vanilla Spice®: Large, vanilla-scented blooms that outsize other varieties.
These varieties share the signature fragrance of the Clethra genus, making them a treat for the senses while attracting pollinators and wildlife.
Caring For Summersweet Shrubs
Summersweet shrubs are remarkably low-maintenance once established, but a little care and planting with Nature Hills Root Booster - a lifelong symbiotic root support. It ensures they’ll thrive for years!
- Light: Grows well in full sun to part shade, making it adaptable to many garden spaces.
- Soil: Prefers moist, well-drained acidic soils but tolerates wet areas exceptionally well.
- Watering: Water new plants regularly using the Finger Test to help them get established. Requires consistent moisture during establishment; drought-tolerant once mature.
- Pruning: Blooms on new growth, so prune in late fall or early spring for the best results.
- Fertilizer: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring to encourage healthy growth.
Add a 2–3 inch layer of mulch around the base to retain soil moisture and protect the roots.
How To Use Summersweet Bushes In Your Garden
Browse only for the Summersweet shrubs for your Planting Zone using our USDA zone filters, choose sun exposure levels, or narrow the options by flower color, size, and more!
Summersweet is prized for its versatility in the garden. Here are some popular ways to use this adaptable shrub:
- Foundation Planting: The glossy dark green leaves add structure and seasonal interest around your home with its tidy form and lovely flowers.
- Shrub Borders: Use Summersweet to create lush, fragrant borders that delight throughout the summer.
- Privacy Screens: Plant in rows to form a natural, low-maintenance privacy screen.
- Specimen Planting: Highlight its beauty by planting it as a standalone focal point in your garden.
- Wet or Shady Areas: Summersweet thrives in difficult spots, including wet soils and part-shade to full-shade conditions. Fantastic in cottage and woodland gardens!
- Pollinator Gardens: Attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial pollinators with its fragrant flowers.
Summersweet also adds ecological value, as birds feast on the dark brown seed capsules in the fall.
Why Choose Summersweet At Nature Hills Nursery?
Summersweet shrubs bring beauty, fragrance, and native versatility to any garden! Their ability to thrive in challenging conditions, like wet or shaded areas, makes them invaluable for gardeners dealing with tricky spots!
Whether you want to attract pollinators, create a privacy screen, or simply enjoy their delightful flowers, Summersweet shrubs are a rewarding choice!
Visit Nature Hills Nursery to explore the diverse selection of Summersweet varieties and find the perfect match for your landscape!
How fast does Summersweet grow?
Summersweet grows at a moderate pace, typically adding 6–12 inches per year under ideal conditions.
Can Summersweet tolerate full shade?
Yes, Summersweet can grow in full shade, although it may bloom less prolifically compared to plants in full sun or partial shade.
When does Summersweet bloom?
As its name implies, Summersweet typically blooms in mid to late summer, depending on the variety. The flowers often last for several weeks!
Are Summersweet shrubs deer-resistant?
Yes, Summersweet is deer-resistant, making it a great choice for areas with high deer populations.
Why Order Summersweet From NatureHills.com?
Family-owned and operated since 2001, Nature Hills Nursery prides itself on meeting the needs of customers with an ever-growing collection of online plants backed by our product guarantee and protected by Plant Sentry™.
All of our Summersweet are delivered safely to your home with instructions for planting, care and maintenance, so you can order knowing you'll have exactly what you need! Plus plenty more information in our #ProPlantTips Garden Blog for extra support and inspiration!
FAQS for Buying Summersweet Bushes Online
What are Summersweet shrubs and where do they grow best?
What are Summersweet shrubs and where do they grow best?
Summersweet shrubs, also known as Clethra or Sweet Pepperbush, are native to Eastern North America and thrive in USDA hardiness zones 3–9. They grow well in full sun to part shade and excel in moist, acidic soil—making them ideal for wet areas and shady garden spots where other plants may struggle.
When do Summersweet shrubs bloom and what do the flowers look like?
When do Summersweet shrubs bloom and what do the flowers look like?
Summersweet shrubs bloom in mid to late summer, producing fragrant, bottlebrush-style flower spikes. Varieties like ‘Ruby Spice’ and ‘Summer Sparkler™’ offer pink or white blooms that attract pollinators and provide late-season color when many other plants have finished blooming.
Are Summersweet shrubs good for pollinators and wildlife gardens?
Are Summersweet shrubs good for pollinators and wildlife gardens?
Yes, Summersweet is a pollinator magnet! Its sweet-scented blooms attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds throughout the summer. In fall, birds feast on the plant’s dark seed capsules, adding ecological value to native and wildlife-friendly landscapes.
Which Summersweet varieties are best for small gardens or containers?
Which Summersweet varieties are best for small gardens or containers?
Compact Summersweet varieties such as ‘Hummingbird,’ ‘Sixteen Candles,’ and ‘Sugartina®’ are perfect for small spaces. These dwarf shrubs maintain a tidy form while delivering the same fragrant flowers and glossy green foliage as larger cultivars.
How do you care for Summersweet shrubs for healthy growth?
How do you care for Summersweet shrubs for healthy growth?
Summersweet is easy to grow and low-maintenance. Plant in moist, well-drained acidic soil, water regularly during establishment, and mulch to retain moisture. Prune in early spring or late fall since it blooms on new wood, and apply a balanced fertilizer in spring to support healthy foliage and flowering.