Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Sweet Pepperbush, Summer Sweet, or Clethra Alnifolia, is a chalice-shaped deciduous shrub. During the early to mid-summer blooming season, each branch tip of the Sweet Pepperbush bears floriferous, bottle-brush spires of tiny white flowers that have an intoxicating, spicy aroma. With a height of 5 to 7 feet and a spread of 5 to 6 feet, the Sweet Pepperbush offers seasonal interest with glossy, green, tooth-edged leaves appearing in late spring, turning rich yellow to golden-brown in the fall.
Native to the eastern United States, the Sweet Pepperbush has vigorous, narrow branches that form a vertical pattern. The snow-white flowers of the Pepperbush are an important summer source of nectar to critical pollinators. Its botanical name means “alder” in Greek as the leaves look similar to the leaves of the alder tree. They are an excellent option for areas with dappled shade and excess moisture.
Sweet Pepperbush Care
The Sweet Pepperbush 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 Sweet Pepperbush is organic, slightly acidic, and well-drained.
It will need regular watering to thrive. To prune your Sweet Pepperbush, cut old wood from the base in the late winter or early spring before new growth begins. The Pepperbush is hardy and can survive an aggressive cut.
Sweet Pepperbush Spacing
The Sweet Pepperbush should be spaced 4 to 6 apart at planting. They make a great single specimen accent, or you can plant it en masse as a foundation or shrub border. Pepperbush is a great option to grow close to a deck or patio where you can enjoy the spicy clove-like fragrance. It also looks great in a mixed shrub border.
Sweet Pepperbush Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 3 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
- Full Shade to Part Shade (0-4 Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 5-7 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 5-6 Feet
- Growth Rate
- Moderate
- Growth Habit
- , Mounded, Upright
- Water Needs
- Consistently Moist
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , White
- Flower Description
- 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
- Glossy Green, Yellow in Fall
- Foliage Type
- , Deciduous
- Seasonal Interest
- , Summer Flowering, 3 Season Interest, Fall Interest
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Sweet Pepperbush
- Botanical Name
- CLETHRA ALNIFOLIA
- 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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Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
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.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!