Sweet pepperbush.

De un vistazo

Nivel de cuidados

Fácil

Tipo de planta

Deciduous shrub

Luz

Full sun to partial shade

Luz en interior

Luz indirecta brillante

Riego

Cada 3 a 7 días

Tamaño adulto

8 to 10 feet

Ritmo de crecimiento

Medio

Rusticidad

USDA 3 a 9

Floración

Mid to late summer

Cuidados

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.

Riego

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

Abonado

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

Poda

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

Trasplante

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

Suelo

Moist, acidic, organic soil

pH del suelo

Acidic

Temperatura

-30 a 35°C

Humedad

50 a 80%

Seguridad

Personas

There are no reports of significant toxicity to humans.

Niños

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

Alérgenos por contacto

No notable skin irritation is associated with this shrub.

Alérgenos en el aire

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

Comestibilidad

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

Cómo identificarla

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

Altura

1,5 a 2,5m

Anchura

1,2 a 2m

Hojas

green, deciduous

Flores

white, pink, 0,5 a 1cm

Frutos

brown, Autumn

Problemas frecuentes

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

Cómo cultivarla

Propagación

cuttings, seed, division

Cuándo plantar

spring, autumn

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

Buenas compañeras

• Asclepias de pantano — They both thrive in the same moist soil conditions.
• Royal fern — Ferns provide a nice textural contrast beneath the shrub.

Especies parecidas

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

Ciencia

Familia

Clethraceae

Género

Clethra

Orden

Ericales

Clase

Magnoliopsida

Distribución natural

Eastern North America

Conservación

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.

Valor para la fauna

nectar source, pollinator magnet

Polinizadores

abejas, mariposas

Usos

rain gardens, pollinator borders, fragrant hedges, wetland restoration

Taxonomía cotejada con GBIF.

Lo que más preguntan

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.

De dónde viene el nombre

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

Bueno saberlo

• 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.