Clethra alnifolia 'Hummingbird' (Summersweet)
Sweet Pepper Bush 'Hummingbird', Sweet Pepperbush 'Hummingbird', Summer Sweet 'Hummingbird', Summersweet 'Hummingbird'Clethra alnifolia ‘Hummingbird’ (Summersweet), also known as Sweet Pepper Bush ‘Hummingbird’, is a delightful deciduous shrub that adds beauty and fragrance to your garden. This cultivar grows to a height of 3 to 4 feet, with a spread of about 4 to 5 feet. The shrub produces stunning, fragrant white flowers that bloom in mid-summer, attracting hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. The blooms have a sweet, vanilla-like fragrance, making them a sensory delight.
‘Hummingbird’ Summersweet thrives in moist, well-drained soils and prefers full sun to partial shade. It is perfect for rain gardens, near ponds, or in areas with heavier soils, as it is highly tolerant of wet conditions. This shrub is also drought-tolerant once established, requiring minimal care and maintenance. Its glossy green foliage remains attractive throughout the growing season, and in the fall, it turns a beautiful yellow, adding seasonal interest to your garden.
This compact shrub works well in borders, mixed perennial gardens, or as a hedge or screen. Its upright form makes it a versatile addition to landscapes, especially where space is limited. It is also deer-resistant, making it a great choice for gardens that are prone to deer browsing.
Clethra alnifolia ‘Hummingbird’ is easy to grow, offering color, fragrance, and wildlife support. The small, creamy white flowers appear in dense, bottlebrush-like clusters that stand out against the dark green foliage. The sweet scent is not only loved by pollinators but also adds an inviting fragrance to your outdoor space.
With its bright blooms, wonderful fragrance, and ability to thrive in wet or dry conditions, Summersweet ‘Hummingbird’ is a great addition to any garden. It offers late-season color and attracts pollinators, making it both beautiful and functional.
