Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Vanilla Spice and everything nice! The Vanilla Spice Summersweet has whimsical, vanilla colored blooms that are fragrant bring pollinators to your garden and landscapes. Its bountiful large flowers are show shopping. It is resistant to deer and native to North America.
The Vanilla Spice Summersweet has deep green foliage that makes for the perfect pairing with its white blooms. Bloom season is in mid-summer and its large fragrant blooms with bring butterflies and hummingbirds to your yard. The Vanilla Spice Summersweet has a garden height of 36” to 72” inches and a spread of 36” to 60” inches. This deciduous shrub is native to North American and is resistant to deer. Use this sophisticated plant in your landscape as a focal point, or in mixed border planting. It will do well in mass planting and makes a great addition to any shade garden or landscape.
Vanilla Spice Summersweet Care
Planting can be done in the shade, but to ensure optimal bloom be sure your Vanilla Spice Summersweet gets 4 hours of sun per day. Prefers moist, well drained soil. It is adaptable to all soil types, including wet soils with varying PH levels. Prune only to shape in the late winter. Fertilize with a controlled release fertilizer in the spring. Liquid fertilizer may be added in the summer.
Vanilla Spice Summersweet Spacing
Space your Vanilla Spice Summersweet at a minimum 60” inches, center on center. Proper spacing is imperative to ensure the health and longevity of the plant, especially in situations of proximity planting in all gardens and landscapes.
Vanilla Spice® Summersweet Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 4 to 9 (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 Sun to Full Sun (5+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 3-6 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 3-5 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Upright
- Water Needs
- Consistently Moist
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , White
- Flower Description
- White
- Bloom Time
- 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, Fall Interest, 3 Season Interest
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Vanilla Spice® Summersweet
- Also Known As
- Sweet Pepperbush
- Botanical Name
- Vanilla Spice Clethra alnifolia 'Caleb' USPP 21,589
- Brand
- Proven Winners
- Plant Type
- Deciduous
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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We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2026 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
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!