Sweet pepperbush.

Auf einen Blick

Pflegestufe

Einfach

Pflanzenart

Deciduous shrub

Licht

Full sun to partial shade

Licht im Innenraum

Hell, indirekt

Gießen

Alle 3 bis 7 Tage

Endgröße

8 to 10 feet

Wachstum

Mittel

Winterhärte

USDA 3 bis 9

Blütezeit

Mid to late summer

Pflege

Keep the soil consistently moist, as this plant naturally grows in wetlands. Mulch around the base to help retain water and keep the roots cool. Watch for wilting, which is a clear sign that the soil has dried out too much.

Gießen

Water deeply whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Düngen

Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer once in early spring before new growth starts.

Schneiden

Prune in late winter or early spring to shape the shrub and remove any dead wood.

Umtopfen

If growing in a container, move to a slightly larger pot every few years to refresh the soil.

Boden

Moist, acidic, organic soil

Boden-pH

Acidic

Temperatur

-30 bis 35°C

Luftfeuchtigkeit

50 bis 80%

Sicherheit

Menschen

There are no reports of significant toxicity to humans.

Kinder

The small, dry seed capsules are a potential choking hazard for small children if ingested.

Kontaktallergene

No notable skin irritation is associated with this shrub.

Allergene in der Luft

The heavy, sweet scent may be overwhelming for those sensitive to strong floral fragrances.

Essbarkeit

The plant is not considered edible and should not be consumed.

So erkennst du die Pflanze

• Fragrant white or pink flower spikes
• Dark green, serrated, oval leaves
• Golden yellow fall foliage color
• Small, dry, brown seed capsules

Höhe

1,5 bis 2,5m

Breite

1,2 bis 2m

Blätter

green, deciduous

Blüten

white, pink, 0,5 bis 1cm

Früchte

brown, Autumn

Häufige Probleme

• Spider mites — Tiny pests that cause stippling on leaves during hot, dry weather.

Standort und Pflege

Vermehrung

cuttings, seed, division

Pflanzzeit

spring, autumn

Group this shrub with other moisture-loving plants to create a low-maintenance rain garden.

Gute Pflanzpartner

• Sumpf-Seidenpflanze — They both thrive in the same moist soil conditions.
• Royal fern — Ferns provide a nice textural contrast beneath the shrub.

Ähnliche Arten

• Itea virginica — It shares a similar preference for moist sites and provides great fall color.

Botanisches

Familie

Clethraceae

Gattung

Clethra

Ordnung

Ericales

Klasse

Magnoliopsida

Ursprüngliche Heimat

Eastern North America

Artenschutz

It is not currently listed as endangered or threatened in its native range.

It naturally inhabits swamps, stream banks, and moist thickets where it provides cover and food for local insects.

Nutzen für Wildtiere

nectar source, pollinator magnet

Bestäuber

Bienen, Schmetterlinge

Verwendung

rain gardens, pollinator borders, fragrant hedges, wetland restoration

Taxonomie abgeglichen mit GBIF.

Häufige Fragen

Does it need wet soil?

It prefers consistently moist soil but adapts well to average garden conditions.

Can I prune it?

Yes, prune it in late winter or early spring to maintain its shape.

Woher der Name kommt

The name Clethra comes from the Greek word for alder, referring to the leaf shape, while alnifolia means alder-leaved.

Gut zu wissen

• It thrives in wet soils where many other shrubs struggle.
• The flowers are shaped like tiny candles.
• It is one of the few shrubs that bloom reliably in deep shade.
• The autumn foliage turns a lovely shade of yellow or gold.