Clethera Sixteen Candles

Sixteen Candels Clethera

Clethra ‘Sixteen Candles’ is a compact, fragrant summersweet valued for its upright white flower spikes, glossy foliage, and excellent performance in moist or partially shaded sites. Blooming in mid to late summer, it’s a pollinator magnet and a standout for smaller gardens.


Plant Profile
Type: Deciduous flowering shrub

Mature Size:



Width: 3–4 ft



Height: 3–4 ft



Bloom:



Dense, upright racemes of creamy-white flowers



Sweet, spicy fragrance



Mid to late summer



Foliage: Glossy dark green; turns golden yellow in fall

Zones: 4a–9b
Light: Full sun to partial shade (best flowering with some sun)
Soil: Moist to wet, acidic soils; tolerates clay and poor drainage
Water: Moderate to high; thrives with consistent moisture


Features & Uses


Form: Compact, upright, rounded habit



Ideal for foundation plantings, woodland edges, rain gardens, and mixed borders



Strong pollinator appeal (bees, butterflies)



Excellent fragrance for seating areas and paths



More restrained and tidy than standard clethra selections




Care Notes


Very low maintenance; prune lightly in late winter or early spring if needed



Spreads slowly by suckers—easy to manage



Mulch to maintain soil moisture and acidity

Plant type

Perennial

Height

3-4'

Width

3-4'

Hardiness zones

4–9

Sunlight

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Bloom time

Early Fall, Fall, Late Summer, Summer

Flower color

White

Leaf color

Green

Fall color

Yellow

Attracts

Birds, Butterflies

Soil

Clay, Loamy, Moist well-drained

Landscape use

Border, Foundation Plant

Shape

Compact, Rounded, Upright

Fragrant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No