Clethra alnifolia 'PINK SPIRE' summer-sweet, sweet pepper bush
size/type
medium-sized shrub,medium-sized shrub
usual height
0,5-1,5m
leaves
deciduous broadleaf
colour of leaves
flowers
showy
colour of flowers
blooming time
July-August
location
semi-shade / partial sun
soil type
acidic (peaty)
soil moisture requirements
evenly moist (dislikes drought)
USDA zone (lowest)
4 (down to -34°C)
winter protection
for zone 5+6
for zone 7
categorized
Description of the plant:
Sweet pepper bush is becoming popular again in our country. It is a medium-sized shrub flowering in summer.Flowers are bell-shaped, creamy white, opening from rose buds, formed in upright racemes with pinkish stalks in July and August. They have a lovely, sweet fragrance, hence its name.
Oval leaves are deciduous, mid-green, upto 10 cm long, finely serrated and look like hydrangea leaves. For dense foliage it does not like being shaded by other, smaller companion plants very near. This variety requires no trimming, just remove some of the old wood at the base in winter.
Grow in acid, fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in partial shade or filtered sunlight. Fully hardy to -34°C or more (USDA zone 4).
Last update 23-01-2008
WANT TO TRY A SIMILAR PLANT?
