View Larger Summersweet

Planted at Mount Vernon

Planted at Mount Vernon Upper Garden

  • Upper Garden

  • Hardiness Zones

    3 3 4 4b 5 5b 6 6b 7 7b 8 8b 9 9b USDA basemap

    Average annual extreme minimum temperature 1976-2005

    map legend 3 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b

    This dense suckering shrub tolerates wet soils and shade. In late summer it bursts into bloom, with long panicles of fragrant white flowers, followed by attractive yellow fall color.

    Latin Name

    Clethra alnifolia


    Family

    Clethraceae


    Also Known As

    Sweet Pepperbush


    Type of Plant

    Shrubs Shrubs

    Bloom Season

    July - August


    Seasons

    Summer Summer

    Specifications

    Max height Max Height: 8'
    Max spread Max Spread: 6'

    Uses

  • Hedge
  • Naturalize
  • Rain Garden

  • Sunlight Exposure

    Full Sun Full Sun
    Part Shade Part Shade
    Full Shade Full Shade

    Tolerances

  • Heavy Shade
  • Wet Soil
  • Erosion
  • Clay Soil

  • Attracted Wildlife

    Butterflies Butterflies
    Hummingbirds Hummingbirds

    Colors


    Native Range

    Eastern North America


    History

    Washington obtained a summersweet from John Bartram in 1792.


    Other Details

    Pollinator Pollinator
    Grown by Washington Grown by Washington

    Bartlett Tree Expert Company has been working with Mount Vernon Estate since 2011 providing expert arboricultural care and GPS mapping for the estate’s historic trees, as well as support from their research facility.   Mount Vernon is proud to partner with Bartlett Tree Experts and appreciates their sponsorship of George Washington’s Mount Vernon Plant Finder App.

    Bring Washington's Garden Home

    Purchase our historic seeds, collected from plants grown at Mount Vernon and plant them in your own garden.

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