Shrub
Summersweet
Clethra alnifolia
Varieties We Carry
CottondaleClethra alnifoliaStandardClethra alnifolia
Sizes & Pricing
3 galFrom$19.95
Fresh this week. Last restocked Mar 11.
LightPart Sun, Part Shade
WaterModerate to High
Mature size4-8 feet × 4-6 feet
About Summersweet
Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia) is a native North American deciduous shrub renowned for its intensely fragrant white or pink flower spikes that bloom in mid-to-late summer. Native to moist woodlands and coastal areas of the eastern US, it forms upright clumps with glossy dark green foliage that turns golden yellow in fall. A favorite for rain gardens, woodland edges, and pollinator plantings. Starting at $19.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Summer
- Flower Color
- White, Pink
- Growth Rate
- Moderate
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- Loam, Acidic, Well-drained, Wet
Best planting months
Recommended forZone 9b · St. Augustine, FL
J
F
M
A
M
JNow
J
A
S
O
N
D
This monthGood windowOther months
Seasonal care
New foliage emerges. Good planting window.
Bloom season.
Foliage may begin to change or drop. Ideal planting window.
Dormant — drops foliage.
Care essentials
Light
Summersweet grows best in partial sun to partial shade in NE Florida; full shade significantly reduces flowering. It will not tolerate hot, dry, fully exposed sites — pairing with consistent soil moisture is essential in zone 9b's summer heat.
Water
Prefers consistently moist to occasionally wet, acidic soil. In NE Florida, water regularly during dry spells and avoid letting soil dry out completely; it is well-suited to rain gardens and low spots that collect moisture.
Soil & Fertilizer
Plant in moist, acidic (pH 4.5–6.0), organic-rich soil. In NE Florida's sandy soils, amend with composted pine bark to improve moisture retention and acidity. Apply slow-release acid-forming fertilizer in early spring to boost bloom.
Similar needs
Buttonbush
Shares 5 of the same needs: similar light, high water, loam, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
From $19.95Same conditions
Fetterbush
Shares 5 of the same needs: shade, high water, acidic, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
From $19.95Same conditions
Swamp Titi
Shares 5 of the same needs: similar light, high water, loam, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
From $19.95Same conditions
Swamp Rose
Shares 5 of the same needs: shade, high water, loam, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
From $19.95Same conditions
Alligator Flag
Shares 5 of the same needs: similar light, high water, loam, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
From $7.95Same conditions
American Hornbeam
Shares 5 of the same needs: shade, high water, loam, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
From $250.00Same conditions
You may also like
Common questions
Is Summersweet a good plant for St. Augustine?
Summersweet is a shrub for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, reaching 4-8 feet × 4-6 feet.
Care information verified from
Last reviewed February 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.