Summersweet

About this plant

Clethra alnifolia 'Hummingbird' is a delightful, low-maintenance deciduous shrub prized for its late-season blooms and sweet, spicy fragrance. Clusters of pure white, bottlebrush-like flowers emerge in mid to late summer, offering a crucial nectar source for pollinators when many other plants have finished blooming. Its compact and dense growth habit makes 'Hummingbird' an excellent choice for foundation plantings, shrub borders, or even mass plantings in naturalized areas. The bright green foliage provides a lovely backdrop throughout the growing season, turning attractive shades of yellow in the fall. Resilient and adaptable, Summersweet thrives in moist, acidic soils and is remarkably tolerant of wet conditions, making it ideal for rain gardens or near water features. Its modest size (typically 3-4 feet tall and wide) ensures it fits well into most landscape designs.

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, acidic soil. Prefers full sun to partial shade; flowering is best with more sun. Apply a layer of mulch to conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature. Prune in late winter or early spring to remove dead or weak branches, or to shape, as it blooms on new wood. Fertilize sparingly in spring if needed, using a balanced slow-release formula. Generally pest and disease resistant.

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.