Ruby Spice Summersweet is a densely branched deciduous shrub native to the South. Its glossy dark green leaves have attractive shades of yellow to golden brown in fall. Sweetly fragrant rosy-pink flower spikes bloom late summer and give way to brown seedpods that last to winter. Prefers part sun and acidic, moist, well-drained soil. Type: Shrub Origins: Eastern N. America Coasts; GA Native Height: 4’ - 6’ Spread: 3’ - 5' Spacing: 4’ USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 - 8 Culture: Full Sun, Part Sun Bloom Color: Pink Season of Interest: Summer, Fall MAINTENANCE NEEDS: Low Maintenance. Do not let soils dry out. Promptly remove suckers unless naturalization is desired. Spider mites may be a concern in drier conditions. LANDSCAPE USES: Accents or Group Plantings, Borders, Woodland Gardens, Native Gardens, Hedges, and Containers. COMPANION PLANTS: Aster, Weigela, Coneflower IMAGE: Photoset by F. D. Richards, (1) Summersweet 'Ruby Spice', (2) Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice', 2016 , (3) Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice' (Summersweet) Photo by F.D.Richards, SE Michigan, 8/2020, (4) Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice' 2014 *As plants have ranges in appearance they may not appear as the images shown
