Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Hummingbird Summersweet, or Clethra alnifolia 'Hummingbird', is a slow-spreading, deciduous dwarf variety of Alnifolia with dense, green, serrated leaves that turn yellow to golden brown as the season progresses. In early to mid-summer, Hummingbird Summersweet bears loads of fragrant, white spires of tiny white flowers. A compact version of its predecessor, the creamy white flowers of Hummingbird Summersweet give way to spikes of chocolate brown fruit that last through late autumn and early winter.
Native to the eastern United States, the Hummingbird Summersweet has compact, thin branches that form a dynamic vertical pattern. It’s easy to see why this Summersweet is called the “Hummingbird”. The snow-white flowers are an important summer source of nectar to critical pollinators, and attract spades of both butterflies and hummingbirds. They are a great option for areas with partial shade and excess moisture, and they are resistant to deer, insects and disease.
Hummingbird Summersweet Care
The Hummingbird Summersweet performs best in partial sun, but can adapt to both full sun and partial shade. If you live in a hot climate, they will need some shade and additional water to survive. The best type of soil for your Hummingbird Summersweet is organic, slightly acidic, and well-drained, but it is clay and wet soil tolerant. It will need regular watering to thrive.
To prune your Hummingbird Summersweet, cut old wood from the base in the late winter or early spring before new growth begins. The Summersweet is hardy and can survive an aggressive cut. Pinch off root suckers throughout the season unless you desire a more naturalized and casual look.
Hummingbird Summersweet Spacing
The Hummingbird Summersweet makes a great single specimen accent, or you can plant it en masse as a foundation or shrub border. They are beautiful along foundations and in mixed perennial gardens. Grow them alongside dogwood or aster.
Hummingbird Summersweet Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 5 to 8 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Part Shade to Full Sun (3+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 3-4 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 3-4 Feet
- Growth Rate
- Moderate
- Growth Habit
- , Upright, Mounded
- Water Needs
- Consistently Moist
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , White
- Flower Description
- Bright White
- Bloom Time
- Mid to Late Summer
- Blooms On
-
New Wood
?
"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Late winter to early spring, before new growth starts
- Foliage Color
- , Green
- Foliage Description
- Green
- Foliage Type
- , Deciduous
- Seasonal Interest
- , Summer Flowering, 3 Season Interest, Fall Interest
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Hummingbird Summersweet
- Botanical Name
- CLETHRA ALNIFOLIA 'HUMMINGBIRD'
- Plant Type
- Shrub
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
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Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
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