Summersweet

About this plant

Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice' is a standout cultivar of Summersweet, prized for its showy, ruby-pink flower spikes that emerge in mid to late summer, filling the air with a delightful, spicy-sweet fragrance. These bottlebrush-like blooms are not only beautiful but also a magnet for pollinators, adding a lively buzz to your landscape when many other plants are fading. Its glossy, dark green foliage provides an appealing backdrop, turning a lovely golden-yellow in autumn. This versatile shrub boasts a compact and rounded growth habit, making it suitable for a variety of garden applications. It thrives in moist, even wet soils, and is particularly useful for brightening shadier areas or woodland gardens where other flowering shrubs might struggle. 'Ruby Spice' is also an excellent choice for foundation plantings, mixed borders, or as a vibrant hedge. Its low-maintenance nature and resistance to deer make it a truly rewarding addition to the home garden. Beyond its ornamental appeal, Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice' plays a crucial ecological role, offering late-season nectar to bees and butterflies. Its ability to tolerate a range of conditions, including coastal environments, further enhances its value as a resilient and beautiful landscape plant. Enjoy its long-lasting floral display and enchanting fragrance as summer transitions to fall.

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

Easy to care for. Prune in late winter or early spring to maintain shape and remove any dead or crossing branches. Minimal pest or disease issues. Mulch annually to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

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.