Clethra alnifolia 'Sixteen Candles'

Also Known As

Sixteen Candles Summer Sweet
Summersweet

Plant type

shrub

size

H: 30"-60"
W: 24"-48"

planting zones

4a-9b

More Options

Clethra alnifolia 'Sixteen Candles' plant details

Clethra alnifolia 'Sixteen Candles' is a fast-growing broadleaf deciduous shrub with green foliage. In summer cream and white flowers emerge. Attracts butterflies making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and even moisture - regular water. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in acidic soil. A good option if you're seeking something for erosion control and seaside / salt tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Clethra alnifolia 'Sixteen Candles'

Plant type: shrub
Plant family: clethraceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 24 IN - 48 IN - wide, 30 IN - 60 IN - tall
Flowers: cream and white blooms in summer
Uses: dwarf, fall color, fragrant

GROWING CONDITIONS for Clethra alnifolia 'Sixteen Candles'

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

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Sixteen Candles Summersweet has 4-6" spikes with wonderful scented white flowers attracting many pollinators to your landscape. Like most Summersweet, it can tolerate wetter growing conditions. Sixteen Candles Summersweet has a fast-growing rate and a stunning fall performance of yellow leaves.

By: Maples N More Nursery

Selected by Mike Dirr, this wonderful smaller form of 'Hummingbird' forms a dense 2' mound. Its also features larger mid-summer white flower which are still just a wonderfully fragrant! The bright-green summer foliage is followed by golden-yellow fall color; enjoy it in container or border. S/M-W

By: Forestfarm

Foliage is topped with aromatic, erect, butterfly-enticing white blooms for 4 to 6 weeks. In fall, the leaves turn an attractive yellow. Growth Rate fast

By: Garden World

NATIVE. Clethra alnifolia Summersweet, Pepper Bush 'Sixteen Candles' 3' - 4'. Summersweet is a lovely, low maintenance plant for Southern gardens and worth planting for its fragrance alone. 'Sixteen Candles' features spikes of white upright flowers which are very attractive to butterflies. A compact, dense shrub great for mass planting or in a border garden, 'Sixteen Candles' will grow well in wet, shady spots of a landscape.

By: The Kinsey Family Farm

Just like candles on a birthday cake, the larger, more upright flowers of this superlative Michael Dirr selection are a splendid sight. A glossy late spring flush of tooth-edged leafage in emerald hues sets the stage for the abundant creamy white flowers. Made even more dazzling by their spiced-honey scent, the 6 in. long blooms form nearly horizontal, close-knit cylindrical spires. In autumn, foliage matures to a pleasing yellow. Strongly vertical, slightly downy brown branches and persistent seed spikes etch winter's somber landscape. With a compact mounding habit, this Clethra offers a winsome presence in small spaces, and is a choice feature for a patio pot. Give this easy-to-grow shrub moist, slightly acidic soil and, where summers are hot and dry, shade each afternoon.

By: Digging Dog Nursery

As with other clethras, the flowers are fragrant. In this case, the large, often branched, racemes remain sturdy and upright, not floppy. More densely branched than most, this clonal spreader grows very well in moist to wet soils, in sun or part shade.

By: Heritage Seedlings

An improved dwarf selected by Michael Dirr from a group of open pollinated Hummingbird' seedlings. It has superior dense, mounded habit and larger blooms. The dark green foliage sets off the sensuous fragrant white flowers in mid-summer. Good yellow fall color. Much more erect and not floppy like Hummingbird. Candle -like blooms, hence the name.

By: Lazy S'S Farm Nursery

Selected from a group of seedlings in Michael Dirr's garden for its compactness and erect flower structures, "just like the candles on a birthday cake." After 7 years this selection is only 30" high and 42" wide. The glossy green leaves set off the glowing white plumes, 4 to 6 " long. The blooms open in late June or early July and maintain their elegance over a long bloom period.

By: Greer Gardens Inc.

This selection from a batch of 'Hummingbird' seedlings is very compact and heavy flowering. Holds its 4-6" spikes of white, fragrant flowers rigidly upright. Like all summer sweets, it tolerates shade and damp soil. Yellow fall foliage color. Selected by woody plant expert Michael Dirr.