Genus: Clethra
species: alnifolia
Description:
The Coastal Sweet Pepperbush (also called Summer Sweet) is a tall shrub with white flowers and multiple branches. Each Flower is about 3mm wide and the leaves can be up to 7.5 cm long. This shrub can grows anywhere from 3-10 feet. The Sweet Pepperbush flowers from mid July to September and is located in the southeastern parts of the U.S. This plant is commonly found in wetlands and sandy woods. The USDA hardiness zones for coastal sweet pepperbush are 4 to 9. It grows naturally in poorly drained, moist soils and will get larger and produce more suckers if provided plenty of water. It is shade-tolerant and grows under older trees.
Alternate Names For Coastal Sweet Pepperbush:
Clethra, Clethra alnifolia var. tomentosa, Clethra angustifolia, Clethra bracteata, Clethra incana, Clethra michauxii, Clethra paniculata, Clethra pubescens, Clethra pumila, Clethra scabra, Clethra tomentosa, poorman’s soap, summer sweet, sweet pepper bush, white alder.
Uses:
Erosion control, garden and landscape, utility right of ways, and wildlife.
Pruning:
Prune Coastal Sweet pepperbush in the spring while it is still dormant. Vigorous spring pruning will give you a nice bloom come summer.
Remove any remaining dry fruiting capsules from the coastal sweet pepperbush. They are not needed at this time.
Remove all dead and damaged branches at the base of the shrub. This will aid the air circulation within the plant.
Trim back the overreaching branches. Coastal Sweet Pepperbush can be pruned into a hedge. Pruning over reaching branches helps maintain this shape.
Space each branch about 5 to 6 inches apart from each other.
Trim to your deisred shape.