Sweet pepperbush.

En un coup d'œil

Niveau d'entretien

Facile

Type de plante

Deciduous shrub

Lumière

Full sun to partial shade

Lumière en intérieur

Lumière vive indirecte

Arrosage

Tous les 3 à 7 jours

Taille adulte

8 to 10 feet

Croissance

Moyenne

Rusticité

USDA 3 à 9

Floraison

Mid to late summer

Entretien

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.

Arrosage

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

Engrais

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

Taille

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

Rempotage

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

Sol

Moist, acidic, organic soil

pH du sol

Acidic

Température

-30 à 35°C

Humidité

50 à 80%

Sécurité

Humains

There are no reports of significant toxicity to humans.

Enfants

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

Allergènes de contact

No notable skin irritation is associated with this shrub.

Allergènes aéroportés

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

Comestibilité

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

Comment l'identifier

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

Hauteur

1,5 à 2,5m

Envergure

1,2 à 2m

Feuilles

green, deciduous

Fleurs

white, pink, 0,5 à 1cm

Fruits

brown, Autumn

Problèmes courants

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

La cultiver

Multiplication

cuttings, seed, division

Quand planter

spring, autumn

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

Bonnes associations

• Asclépiade des marais — They both thrive in the same moist soil conditions.
• Royal fern — Ferns provide a nice textural contrast beneath the shrub.

Espèces similaires

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

Science

Famille

Clethraceae

Genre

Clethra

Ordre

Ericales

Classe

Magnoliopsida

Région d'origine

Eastern North America

Préservation

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.

Intérêt pour la faune

nectar source, pollinator magnet

Pollinisateurs

abeilles, papillons

Utilisations

rain gardens, pollinator borders, fragrant hedges, wetland restoration

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

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.

D'où vient le nom

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

Bon à savoir

• 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.