Clethra alnifolia 'Hummingbird'

Hummingbird Summersweet Clethra

Clethra alnifolia ‘Hummingbird’ is a compact, fragrant summersweet prized for its creamy-white flower spikes, adaptability to moist soils, and excellent performance in part shade. Blooming in mid to late summer, it brings scent and pollinators to the garden when many shrubs are finished.


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: Medium to dark green; turns yellow to golden bronze in fall

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


Features & Uses


Form: Compact, rounded habit



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



Strong pollinator appeal (bees, butterflies, hummingbirds)



Reliable fragrance near paths and seating areas



More compact and restrained than standard clethra types




Care Notes


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



Spreads slowly by suckers—easy to manage



Mulch to retain moisture and maintain soil acidity

Plant type

Flowering Deciduous Shrub

Height

3-4'

Width

3-4'

Hardiness zones

4–9

Sunlight

Full sun to part shade

Bloom time

Summer

Flower color

White

Leaf color

Green

Fall color

Yellow

Soil

Moist well-drained

Landscape use

Foundation Plant, Mass Planting

Shape

Compact Rounded

Fruit

Yes

Drought tolerant

No