Ruby Spice Summersweet

Where to Plant

• Sunlight: Ruby Spice thrives in full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 4 to 6 hours of direct light. While it tolerates shade better than most flowering shrubs, more sun results in deeper pink flower color and more prolific blooms.
• Soil: This shrub loves "wet feet" and prefers consistently moist, acidic soil enriched with organic matter. If you have heavy clay that stays damp, this is the perfect solution, but for sandy soils, you should mix in several inches of peat moss or compost to help hold moisture.

Watering Requirements

During the first two growing seasons, provide 1 inch of water per week to help the root system settle in. Once mature, Ruby Spice remains thirsty and is not drought tolerant, so you must maintain regular watering during dry spells to prevent leaf scorch. Inconsistent moisture often leads to premature leaf drop or smaller, less fragrant flower spikes.

Pruning Tips

Because this shrub blooms on new wood, you should prune it in late winter or very early spring before new growth begins. Think of this like a fresh start for the season; cutting back stems by about a third encourages vigorous new shoots where the flowers will form. This timing ensures you do not accidentally chop off the current year’s flower buds.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer or one formulated for acid loving plants in early spring just as the buds begin to swell. Avoid using high nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer, as this pushes soft new growth that will not have time to harden off before the first frost. This late season surge makes the plant vulnerable to winter dieback and physical damage from freezing temperatures.