Clethra alnifolia 'Sherry Sue'

42.14652634, -87.79062653

42.14656067, -87.79066467

42.14656067, -87.79065704

42.14656067, -87.79064178

42.14656448, -87.79062653

42.1465683, -87.79064941

42.1465683, -87.79061127

42.14657211, -87.79062653

42.14658356, -87.7906189

Red-Stem Summersweet

Sherry Sue summersweet is derived from a deciduous shrub native to the eastern US. 'Sherry Sue' has fragrant pink and white flowers that appear in mid-summer and attract butterflies and hummingbirds, along with other insects and birds. The flowers are produced on vertical flower spikes about 6 inches long that protrude from the dark green foliage.

'Sherry Sue' is a medium height shrub growing slowly to about 6 feet high and 6 feet wide and is suitable for borders, screens or as a specimen plant. Summersweet is tolerant of a range of garden conditions including shade, damp soils and clay and it flowers on new wood, so prune in late winter. Because it can tolerate shade it is also useful as an understory planting as long as the soil is kept moist, especially when establishing. It will sucker so unless a natural appearance is desired the suckers should be removed.

Soil:
Moist
Plant Shape:
Upright
Exposure:
Full Sun
Partial Shade
Full Shade
Bloom Time:
July - August
Bloom Color:
Pink
White
Landscape Use:
Screen/Hedge
Bedding or Border
Specimen Plant
Understory
Wildlife Interest:
Attracts Birds
Attracts Butterflies
Plant Type:
Shrub
Hardiness Zone:
3 - 9