Sweet pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia SHERRY SUE)
Clethra alnifolia SHERRY SUE, or Sweet pepperbush, offers stunning late-summer fragrance, pink-tinged white blooms. A low-maintenance shrub for moist sites.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Clethra alnifolia SHERRY SUE, widely known as Sweet pepperbush, is a standout late-season bloomer, essential for extending garden interest well into the summer heat. This adaptable, deciduous shrub is highly valued for its rich, sweet fragrance carried on profusions of white flowers that often display attractive pink tints on this specific cultivar. As a native plant thriving in wet conditions, the Sweet pepperbush offers reliable performance with minimal intervention.
The ‘Sherry Sue’ variety typically forms a dense, rounded habit, reaching manageable heights perfect for borders or specimen plantings where its fragrant clouds attract abundant pollinators. It performs reliably across a wide range of hardiness zones, provided its moisture needs are met.
This shrub’s glossy dark green foliage transitions to attractive yellow-gold tones in autumn, providing multi-seasonal appeal. For gardeners seeking low maintenance, excellent insect support, and fragrant blooms when other shrubs fade, Clethra alnifolia SHERRY SUE is an outstanding choice for damp or sunny locations.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Clethraceae
- Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 5-6 ft
- Spread: 5-6 ft
- Bloom Time: July to August
- Bloom Description: White tinged with pink
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium to wet
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Planting Clethra alnifolia SHERRY SUE is best executed in spring or fall to allow establishment before temperature extremes. Locate it in full sun for the best flowering performance, although it tolerates part shade well. This shrub thrives in average, medium to wet soils, particularly preferring consistently moist, acidic, sandy compositions.
Ongoing care is generally simple due to the low maintenance commitment. Ensure the soil does not completely dry out, especially when young, as Sweet pepperbush demands consistent moisture. While it tolerates clay soils, proper soil preparation to prevent water stagnation is crucial. Fertilization is rarely necessary if the soil conditions are naturally acidic and somewhat rich.
Pruning for Clethra alnifolia SHERRY SUE should be done judiciously in late winter, primarily to shape the plant or remove any dead wood. If you desire a more naturalized look, you can allow the shrub to sucker, although you should promptly remove unwanted root suckers to maintain planting boundaries.
Landscape Uses
Sweet pepperbush is uniquely positioned in the landscape because it provides continuous blooms during late summer when diversity is low. Its ability to handle wet soil makes it ideal for rain gardens, stream banks, or pond peripheries where many flowering shrubs fail. Consider planting Clethra alnifolia SHERRY SUE in mass groupings for an impactful, fragrant hedge that also screens foundations effectively.
Due to its strong scent and pollinator appeal, placing a specimen near patios, decks, or beside frequently used walkways maximizes enjoyment of the Sweet pepperbush’s fragrance. It integrates beautifully into woodland garden settings or naturalized areas, pairing well with other moisture-loving selections like Astilbe, ferns, or certain wetland irises. The compact size of Clethra alnifolia SHERRY SUE also lends itself to use in larger mixed borders or foundation plantings.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Fragrant
Noteworthy Characteristics
Clethra alnifolia, commonly called summersweet, is a deciduous shrub that is native to swampy woodlands, wet marshes, stream banks and seashores, often in sandy soils, along the coast from Maine to Florida and west to Texas. It is a rounded, suckering, densely-branched, deciduous shrub that typically grows to 3-6’ (less frequently to 8’) tall and is noted for producing a mid to late summer bloom of sweetly fragrant white flowers which appear in narrow, upright panicles (racemes to 2-6” long). The cultivar ‘Sherry Sue’ typically grows to 5-6’ tall and is noted for having attractive pinkish-red new stems, with white flowers that are distinctly tinted with pink.
Tolerances
- Heavy Shade
- Erosion
- Clay Soil
- Wet Soil
Potential Problems
Clethra alnifolia SHERRY SUE is generally resistant to serious pest or disease issues, contributing to its low maintenance rating. The primary potential issue involves cultural management: failure to provide adequate moisture. If soils become too dry, the shrub will suffer, although it is one of the most accommodating flowering shrubs for damp sites. Over-pruning can reduce flowering the following year, as summer sweet blooms on old wood. Avoid heavy fertilization, which can lead to excessive leaf growth at the expense of flowers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Sweet pepperbush suitable for?
Clethra alnifolia SHERRY SUE is reliably hardy across USDA Zones 4 through 9, making it versatile for many temperate regions.
How large does Clethra alnifolia SHERRY SUE grow?
This variety typically reaches mature heights between 5 to 6 feet tall, with a similar spread of 5 to 6 feet, forming a dense mound.
When does Sweet pepperbush bloom?
The Sweet pepperbush offers its signature performance during mid to late summer, specifically blooming from July into August with fragrant, pink-tinged white flowers.
What sun exposure does Clethra alnifolia SHERRY SUE need?
For optimal flower production and the best habit, provide full sun, though the plant is highly tolerant of part shade conditions.
Conclusion
The reliable late-season fragrance and striking presence of pink-tinged white blooms cement the value of Clethra alnifolia SHERRY SUE in any garden design. Its robust tolerance for moisture, shade, and less-than-ideal soils makes this Sweet pepperbush a low-effort, high-reward specimen. Before planting, ensure your intended site offers consistent moisture to allow this beautiful shrub to establish successfully.
Wildlife Benefits
The flowers of Clethra alnifolia are exceptionally attractive to a wide array of beneficial insects, including numerous species of bees and butterflies, providing a crucial late-season nectar source when many other plants have finished blooming. Planting the Sweet pepperbush near seating areas not only offers visual appeal but supports local pollinator populations directly. Furthermore, the dark seed capsules that follow the bloom may persist into winter, offering minor visual texture during the dormant season.
Propagation Tips
While Clethra alnifolia SHERRY SUE is naturally inclined to spread via root suckers, which can be separated for propagation, the species is also responsive to vegetative methods. For predictable results, standard hardwood or softwood cuttings are recommended. Softwood cuttings taken during early summer are often the most successful, provided they are rooted in a moist, slightly acidic medium with bottom heat to encourage callus development and root initiation.
