Sweet Pepperbush

Clethra alnifolia

Size: 3 Gallon Availability

Shrub
Max size: 10’ tall x 5’ wide
Average size: 6′ tall x 4′ wide

Very Moist, Usually Moist, Moist to Dry
Loam, Muck,
Sun, Part Shade
Tolerant of high amounts of salt spray and occasional inundation of seawater

AKA: Summersweet, Alderleaf Clethra

This deciduous shrub has a yellow fall color and blooms in the spring with spikes of white flowers. These flowers attract bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies, which have evolved to take advantage of the narrow, tubular flowers. It produces inedible brown seed pods. The plant likes to send up suckers at the base, which need to be trimmed if you want to avoid it spreading.

Root decoctions are used as a foot bath for “ground itch”.