Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice'

Ruby Spice Summersweet Clethra

Clethra alnifolia ‘Ruby Spice’ is a standout summersweet cultivar prized for its rose-pink flower spikes, strong fragrance, and excellent adaptability to moist or partially shaded sites. Blooming in mid to late summer, it provides both color and scent when few other shrubs are in flower.


Plant Profile
Type: Deciduous flowering shrub

Mature Size:



Width: 4–6 ft



Height: 6–8 ft



Bloom:



Upright racemes of rosy-pink 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 (best flowering with sun)
Soil: Moist to wet, acidic soils; tolerant of clay and poor drainage
Water: Moderate to high; prefers consistently moist soils


Features & Uses


Form: Upright, rounded shrub with a natural, slightly spreading habit



Excellent for woodland edges, rain gardens, shrub borders, and naturalized areas



One of the best pink-flowered clethra selections



Highly attractive to pollinators (bees, butterflies)



Fragrant blooms make it ideal near patios and walkways




Care Notes


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



Spreads slowly by suckers—can be allowed to naturalize or selectively removed



Mulch to conserve moisture and maintain acidic soil conditions

Plant type

Flowering Deciduous Shrub

Height

4-6'

Width

3-5'

Hardiness zones

4–9

Sunlight

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Bloom time

Late Summer, Mid Summer

Flower color

Pink

Leaf color

Green

Fall color

Yellow

Attracts

Butterflies, Hummingbirds

Soil

Acidic, Clay, Loamy, Moist well-drained

Shape

Compact Rounded

Fruit

Yes

Fragrant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No