Summersweet

About this plant

Summersweet, or Clethra alnifolia, is a delightful addition to any garden, offering a burst of late-summer interest when many other plants are fading. Its spires of tiny, highly fragrant white flowers emerge in July and August, creating a beautiful contrast against its deep green, lustrous foliage. As an added bonus, the leaves turn a lovely buttery yellow in autumn. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, Clethra alnifolia is a powerhouse for local ecosystems. Its nectar-rich blooms are a magnet for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, making it an excellent choice for pollinator gardens. This adaptable shrub tolerates a range of conditions, thriving in both sun and partial shade, and even performing well in moist soil. Easy to care for and relatively pest-free, Summersweet is a low-maintenance gem perfect for borders, foundational plantings, or naturalized areas. Its dense, multi-stemmed growth habit provides year-round structure, while its exquisite summer scent makes it a true garden standout.

Installation timing

When we're in season, outside of the winter months, our goal is to get your plants installed within about two weeks. That window gives us enough time to secure your plants from our supplier and find a spot on the schedule. Throughout the process we stay in touch through notifications and your existing client portal on the main A Cut Above website, which is separate from this landscaping plants shop.

Care & maintenance

Easily grown in average to wet, well-drained soils. Prefers acidic conditions. Can tolerate full sun to partial shade; flowering is best in sunnier locations. Prune in late winter or early spring to maintain desired shape and size, as it blooms on new wood. May spread by suckers, which can be removed to control spread.

Watering suggestions

Proper watering is the single most important factor in your plant's survival after installation. Newly installed plants have a limited root system and rely on you for consistent moisture while they establish.

• First 2 weeks: Water deeply every day (or every other day in cooler, wet weather), soaking the root ball and surrounding soil.
• Weeks 3–12: Water deeply 2–3 times per week, adjusting for rain, heat, and soil drainage.
• After establishment: Water deeply about once a week during the growing season, and more often in extreme heat or drought.
• How to check: Stick a finger 2–3 inches into the soil near the roots — if it's dry, it's time to water. Deep, less-frequent watering encourages strong roots; shallow daily sprinkles do not.
• Avoid: Overwatering (soggy, waterlogged soil) is just as harmful as underwatering and can drown roots.

Watering needs vary by plant, season, soil, and exposure. Because proper watering is the customer's responsibility after installation, please make sure you understand and can follow these suggestions before ordering.

Good to know: plants and trees purchased from and installed by A Cut Above include a one-year limited warranty from the date of installation. Because plant survival depends heavily on proper watering and care after installation, losses caused by improper care, neglect, animal or chemical damage, or extreme weather are not covered, and we must be given the chance to inspect a struggling plant before it's removed or replaced. Coverage is one replacement per plant. Read our warranty info.