Ruby Spice Summersweet

Ruby Spice Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice')

Ruby Spice Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice') is a deciduous, native shrub prized for its fragrant rose-pink flower spikes, compact habit, and ability to thrive in moist, shady areas. As the darkest-pink flowering Clethra available, this standout cultivar adds rich color, strong fragrance, and pollinator value to gardens from mid to late summer.

Distinctive Features

'Ruby Spice' produces dense, upright spikes of spicy-scented, deep rose-pink flowers that emerge in mid-summer and continue blooming into early fall. Unlike many pink-flowering Clethra, the color of 'Ruby Spice' remains strong and saturated throughout the season. Its lustrous green foliage turns a clear yellow in fall, and its compact, suckering habit makes it excellent for naturalistic borders and mass plantings.

Growing Conditions

• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Prefers moist, acidic soils; tolerant of sandy, loamy, or clay conditions
• Water: Moderate to high; thrives in consistently moist soil
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4�9

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Showy pink flowers and fragrance create a striking seasonal highlight
• Rain Gardens: Performs exceptionally in wet or low-lying areas
• Pollinator Gardens: Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds
• Foundation Planting: Adds color and texture beneath windows and along structures
• Naturalized Landscapes: Spreads slowly to fill woodland edges or shaded understory

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Maintain consistent soil moisture, especially in dry weather
• Pruning: Prune lightly after flowering if shaping is desired
• Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring if needed
• Mulching: Mulch to conserve moisture and improve soil structure
• Protection: Avoid alkaline soils and dry, exposed sites

Why Choose Ruby Spice Summersweet?

• Deep Rose-Pink Flowers: Rich, fragrant blooms offer late-summer color
• Compact Native Shrub: Tidy habit fits well in smaller gardens or shaded beds
• Pollinator Magnet: Excellent source of nectar for late-season visitors
• Moisture Tolerant: Thrives in wet or poorly drained soils
• Focal Point: Bold flower color and scent make it a standout in seasonal landscapes

Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice' combines strong pink bloom color, summer fragrance, and ecological value in a compact, moisture-loving native shrub�perfect as a focal point or background plant in pollinator-friendly, woodland, or rain garden settings.