Summersweet 'Sixteen Candles'

About this plant

Clethra alnifolia 'Sixteen Candles' is a truly exceptional cultivar of our native summersweet, celebrated for its upright, dense habit and an abundance of brilliant white flower spikes. These candelabra-like blooms emerge in mid-to-late summer, filling the air with a sweet, spicy fragrance that is simply irresistible, especially on a warm evening. Its dark green, glossy foliage provides a handsome backdrop, turning a lovely golden-yellow in autumn, extending its season of interest. This adaptable shrub thrives in a variety of conditions, including areas with moist soil, making it perfect for rain gardens, woodland edges, or consistently irrigated beds. Its compact, rounded form makes it an ideal choice for smaller gardens, foundation plantings, or as an elegant accent in mixed borders. 'Sixteen Candles' offers reliable beauty and perfume when many other garden plants are starting to fade, ensuring your landscape remains vibrant and fragrant throughout the summer months. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, this cultivar is a magnet for pollinators, attracting a diverse array of bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to its nectar-rich flowers. Its low-maintenance nature, coupled with its robust health and disease resistance, makes it a valuable and rewarding addition to any garden design. Plant 'Sixteen Candles' to infuse your outdoor space with intoxicating fragrance and a touch of effortless charm.

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 partial shade but tolerates full sun with consistent moisture. Amend heavy clay or sandy soils with organic matter. Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins, removing any dead or crossing branches to maintain shape and encourage robust flowering. Mulch annually to conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature.

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.