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Buy Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice'

Also Known As

Ruby Spice Summer Sweet
Sweet Pepperbush

Plant type

shrub

size

H: 4'-8'
W: 3'-5'

planting zones

4a-9b

1 gallon | $21.4

Avail in US except West Coast, HI/AK

Fewer than 15 at Maples N More Nursery

3 gallon | $37.45

Avail in US except West Coast, HI/AK

Fewer than 2 at Maples N More Nursery

2 inch wide, 4-6 inch deep tube | $19.95

Buy button links to nursery site for checkout

Fewer than 13 at Forestfarm

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Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice' plant details

Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice' is a moderate-growing broadleaf deciduous shrub with green foliage. In summer pink and white flowers emerge. Features glossy texture. Attracts bees making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and even moisture - high water. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in average soil. A good option if you're seeking something for erosion control and seaside / salt tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice'

Plant type: shrub
Plant family: clethraceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 3 FT - 5 FT - wide, 4 FT - 8 FT - tall
Flowers: pink and white blooms in summer
Uses: cinnamon-scented, easy-to-grow, fall color, fragrant

GROWING CONDITIONS for Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice'

USDA Zones: 4a - 9b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - high
Resistant to: erosion and seaside / salt
Soil needs: average

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Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice', known as summersweet or sweet pepperbush, is a beautiful, densely branched, slow spreading shrub that displays bottlebrush spikes of fragrant, nectar-rich, rosy-pink and white flowers that bloom from late summer to fall giving way to dark brown fruits for winter interest. Foliage is dark green and glossy. Very floriferous and dependable. Use in mixed shrub borders, or in partly shaded or woodland gardens or near water features in average to moist soils. Spreads by root suckers. Blooms on new wood. Nice golden yellow fall colour. A Canadian native to Nova Scotia. Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. Deer resistant.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

This stunning 4-6'shrub produces deliciously fragrant panicles of deep- pink flowers in late summer, the blossoms are especially welcome as many other shrubs are already bloomed out. This shrub is a good choice for tough spots, it will bloom in sun or shade and can tolerate medium to wet soils. The sweetly-scented blooms perfume the entire garden and bring in the bees and butterflies too! Foliage turns a lovely butter-yellow in autumn. S-Sh/M-W

By: Forestfarm

Ruby Spice Summersweet does well in moist and clay soils. Will tolerate full sun only if consistent moisture is provided. Fragrant rose colored flower spikes adorn glossy green foliage in mid to late summer after other shrubs have already stopped blooming. Ruby Spice Summersweet is a compact shrub perfect for smaller gardens. Flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Foliage is a beautiful gold color in fall.

By: Maples N More Nursery

A summer sweet with rich pink flowers in August. The narrow plumes of flowers are sweetly scented. This 4’-5’ shrub is attractive spring – fall. The yellow fall foliage makes a great finale after the summer flowers.

By: Gossler Farms

A large, upright shrub with lustrous green foliage and fragrant panicles of rose blooms. Flowers in summer. Does well in shade or wet soils. Foliage turns yellow in the fall. Growth Rate slow to medium

By: Garden World

Aptly named, its fragrant pink flowers are a delight to the senses. This plant delivers exceptional value in performance for price paid. It is a clean, easily grown plant worthy of a prominent spot where you can appreciate it. Extremely hardy.

By: Heritage Seedlings

Awards: Gold Medal from Pennsylvania Horticulural Society. Recommended by: Ohio Plant Selection Committee.

By: Fantastic Plants

Sweetly fragrant 4-6" high pink candles are borne in summer on this upright to spreading deciduous shrub. Easy to grow with few pests or diseases. Withstands wet soils and seaside locations. Prefers wet soil when grown in full sun. Slow to leaf out in late spring or early summer but well worth the wait!

By: Almost Eden

Pink fragrant flowers in 4 inch spikes above the glossy green leaves, yellow fall color. Moist soil. Zones 4-8

By: Lael's Moon Garden

One of the very best, most versatile shrubs that we grow. Ruby Spice has 2-6" intense deep rose flowers that don't fade. Good yellow to gold fall color. Excellent for 4-6 weeks of summer flower. Good plant for heavy shade & wet spots. TREMENDOUS spicy cinnamon floral FRAGRANCE, clean winter habit, handsome foliage. Prune after flowering.

By: Lazy S'S Farm Nursery

Sweetly scented pink flower spikes are loved by the humble bumble bees, butterflies, and gardeners alike. Clethra seems to be underutilized in the Northwest and for no good reason. It's a well-formed, dense shrub, serviceable AND showy. 4-6'.

By: Dancing Oaks Nursery

The deepest, richest pink flowers to be found among the clethras. They are arranged in abundant spikes that rise above the glossy deep green foliage in late summer. Delicious spicy-sweet fragrance. Wet soil and shade tolerant. Yellow fall color.