Summer Sparkler® Summersweet
Clethra alnifolia ‘Summer Sparkler’
Bring fragrance and pollinators to the summer garden with Summer Sparkler® Summersweet. In mid to late summer, this native shrub produces upright spikes of small white flowers that release a sweet, spicy fragrance and attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
Glossy green foliage forms a dense, rounded shrub that fits beautifully in borders, woodland gardens, and naturalized plantings. In fall, the leaves take on soft golden tones, extending the season of interest.
🌸 Why You’ll Love It
Fragrant white flower spikes in summer
Excellent pollinator plant
Native North American shrub
Tolerates moist soils and partial shade
Attractive fall color
🌿 Shrub Details
Bloom Time: Mid to late summer
Flower Color: White
Foliage: Glossy green turning yellow in fall
Habit: Dense, rounded
Light Requirement: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Moist, well-drained; tolerates wet soils
Hardiness Zones: 4–9
Maintenance: Easy
📏 Size
Mature Height: 3–4 ft
Mature Width: 3–4 ft
🌼 Landscape Uses
Woodland gardens
Native plant gardens
Mixed shrub borders
Pollinator gardens
Moist landscape areas
✔ Garden Benefits
Native to North America
Attracts bees, butterflies, and pollinators
Deer resistant
Fragrant blooms
Tolerates wet or difficult soils
💡 Garden Tip:
Clethra thrives in moist soils and partial shade, making it a great choice for areas where other flowering shrubs struggle.