Ruby Spice Summersweet Clethra
Best low-maintenance native shrub for attracting pollinators to fragrant gardens.
The Ruby Spice Summersweet Clethra is a highly adaptable and hardy North American native shrub, celebrated for its intensely fragrant, candy-scented pink flowers that bloom in early to mid-summer. This deciduous shrub typically grows 5-6 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide, featuring attractive green foliage that turns yellow in the fall. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil, though it tolerates a range of conditions. Its low maintenance needs and resistance to deer, disease, and salt make it a versatile choice for various garden settings, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds.
$39.97
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
858
/ 2598
#858 in Bushes & Shrubs
Price vs Category Average
+1%
Above average
Plant Type
Deciduous Flowering Shrub
/ Deciduous Flowering Shrub
Who it's for
- Busy landscapers needing low-maintenance, deer-resistant plants
- Gardeners seeking late-season fragrance and vibrant color
- Eco-conscious homeowners supporting local pollinators and biodiversity
Who should skip it
- Impatient gardeners wanting early spring foliage
- Minimalists preferring low-maintenance, non-spreading shrubs
- Designers prioritizing year-round structural garden interest
Performance breakdown
Fragrance Intensity
Sweet cotton candy scent provides a powerful sensory experience in summer.
Pollinator Appeal
A reliable magnet for hummingbirds, butterflies, and essential garden pollinators.
Maintenance Ease
Requires virtually no pruning to maintain its natural, healthy shape.
Environmental Resilience
Handles salt, heat, and wet soil with impressive, hardy durability.
Deer Resistance
Robust defense against browsing deer makes it ideal for woodland borders.
Seasonal Versatility
Offers vibrant summer blooms and reliable yellow foliage for autumn interest.
Key Specs
Plant Type
Deciduous Flowering Shrub
Height at Maturity
5-6'
Width at Maturity
3-4'
Growth Rate
Moderate to Fast
Flower Color
Bright Pink
Sun Needs
Full Sun or Mostly Sun
Water Needs
Average
Soil Type
Clay (Amended), Loam, Sand, Silt
Features
- Deliciously fragrant flowers that smell like sweet cotton candy
- Darkest pink of all Summersweet varieties
- Irresistible to hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinating insects
- Handsome green foliage turns yellow shades in fall
- Very easy to grow and adaptable
- Low maintenance, requiring no pruning
- Resistant to deer, disease, heat, insects, salt air, and wet soils
- Can be grown in containers for colder climates
- Fragrant Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Low Maintenance
- Deer Resistant
- Salt Tolerant
- Native Plant
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the Ruby Spice Summersweet Clethra for its exceptional quality upon arrival and reliable performance in the garden. Many reviewers highlight the plants' robust health and secure packaging, ensuring a strong start. Gardeners frequently report vigorous growth, abundant fragrant blooms, and impressive hardiness, making it a dependable choice. The plant's ability to thrive and deliver beautiful results consistently reinforces its high standing among enthusiasts. This consistent success story underscores both the product's inherent quality and its reliable contribution to diverse landscapes.
Know before you buy
Since this shrub reaches a mature width of 3 to 4 feet, you should space them at least 3 to 4 feet apart if you want them to grow as individual specimens. If you are planting them as a hedge, spacing them 3 feet apart will allow the branches to overlap for a fuller look.
Yes, Ruby Spice is exceptionally adaptable and handles moist to wet soils better than many other flowering shrubs. It is an excellent choice for areas of the garden that tend to stay damp or have poor drainage.
No, pruning is not required for this shrub to thrive. It maintains a naturally attractive shape on its own, though you can lightly trim it after flowering if you prefer a more formal or compact appearance.
Absolutely. Because it is highly adaptable, it performs well in large containers, which is a great strategy for gardeners in colder climates who may need to move the pot to a sheltered area during the winter.
Ruby Spice is considered deer-resistant, meaning it is generally not a preferred food source for deer. While no plant is 100% deer-proof if food is scarce, this variety is a reliable choice for gardens where deer pressure is a concern.
The best time to plant is in the spring or fall when temperatures are moderate. This allows the root system to establish itself in the soil before the peak heat of summer or the deep freeze of winter.
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$40