Name: Ruby Spice Summersweet (Clethra) - 3 Gallon Pot
SKU: D2LSC 4253668010
Availability: InStock

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Ruby Spice Summersweet (Clethra) - 3 Gallon Pot

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Original price was: $79.97.Current price is: $55.98.

SKU: D2LSC 4253668010 Category: FRAGRANT PLANTS

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Ruby Spice Clethra – Summersweet

Clethra alnifolia ‘Ruby Spice’

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 3b-9b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Deciduous Flowering Shrub

Height at Maturity: 5-6′

Width at Maturity: 3-4′

Spacing: 3′ for solid hedges; 8’+ for space between plants

Growth Habit / Form: Bushy, Upright

Growth Rate: Moderate to Fast

Flower Color: Bright Pink

Flower Size: Medium, 1″wide x 3-4″ long

Flowering Period: Early to Mid-Summer

Flower Type: Spires

Fragrant Flowers: Yes, smells like candy!

Foliage Color: Green

Fragrant Foliage: No

Sun Needs: Full Sun or Mostly Sun, Morning Sun with Dappled or Afternoon Shade, All Day Filtered Sun, Morning Shade with Evening Sun

Water Needs: Average

Soil Type: Clay (Amended), Loam, Sand, Silt

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Well Drained Moist to Poorly Drained

Soil pH: 5.5 – 7.5 (Acid to Slightly Alkaline)

Maintenance / Care: Very Low

Attracts: Butterflies. Hummingbirds, Pollinating Insects, Visual Attention

Resistances: Deer – more info, Disease, Heat, Insect, Salt Air, Wet Soils

Description

A super-hardy, adaptable and very easy to grow North American native flowering shrub, ‘Ruby Spice’ Summersweet, also called Sweet Pepperbush, is the darkest pink of all of varieties we’ve ever seen. We like the common name Summersweet best because it describes the deliciously fragrant flowers that smell like sweet cotton candy…not pepper! In summer, LOADS of bottlebrush-like flowers are irresistible to hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinating insects. The color show continues in fall when the handsome green foliage ignites into flaming shades of yellow. The shrub seldom exceeds 6 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. An easy-to-grow, multi-season shrub you will not regret planting…and the hummingbirds and butterflies will thank you for it!

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing upright to about 5 to 6 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide, Ruby Spice Clethra is ideal for use as a specimen or in groupings in sunny to partially shaded landscape borders and around patios, decks and other outdoor living spaces where the fragrance, flowers and the hummingbirds and butterflies that visit can be enjoyed. Excellent in garden spots with moisture retentive soil, though adapts to somewhat drier soils. In boggy soils it will spread by stolons to form a colony. A fine addition to butterfly and hummingbird gardens, pink theme gardens, wildlife gardens, cottage gardens, and fragrance gardens.

Suggested Spacing: 3 feet apart for solid hedges; 8 feet or more apart for space between plants

Note: For our customers who live and garden north of USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 3b, where this Clethra is not reliably winter hardy, you’ll be happy to know it can be grown in containers that can be brought indoors during winter and placed back outside when temperatures warm up in spring.

Growing Preferences

Ruby Spice Clethra is very easy to grow and grows best in consistently moist, slightly acid soils in sun to part shade however tolerates a range of conditions including shade, wet soil, and salt spray. In boggy soils it will spread by stolons to form a colony. Exceptionally low maintenance requiring no pruning. Free of any pest and disease problems!

Helpful Articles

Click on the link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant and care for Clethra Summersweet plants.

How To Plant & Care For Clethra Summersweet

Plant Long & Prosper!

Meet The Wilson Brothers & Staff

Questions? Contact Us!

Clethra arrived well packaged and in great condition. It has been planted and I’m doing my best to keep the soil moist in this hot spell. Some critter found its small leaves quite to its liking. Otherwise it seems to be doing very well. Thanks for the recommendation for Deer stopper spray. Thanks for being such a dependable company to do business with.———————————————————You’re welcome! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy your purchase for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and wonderful review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I was stunned when I opened the box containing this shrub. It was incredibly healthy with not so much as a single drooping leaf. Despite having it for only a couple of weeks, it’s already putting out new growth. I’m excited to see it bloom next summer. This was by far the best experience I’ve had with purchasing plants online (and I’ve purchased from a lot of online nurseries).—————————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy your purchase for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and wonderful review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Always great plants! We have ordered many plants and all come well packed and beautifully. This one wasn’t leafed yet but you can see how many leaves it will have as soon as it warms up! I can’t wait to see the beautiful blooms! Wilson Brothers has become my “go to”, trusted plant source and I have just ordered 10 more plants. My husband thinks I may have a plant packer dedicated to my orders!—————————————WOW!! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

My plant arrived quickly, beautifully packed and it looked healthy.——————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Good height but a bit on the scrawny size, but doing well and hopefully will be a beautiful surprise to us in the spring. Think these are just probably routine changes for a plant being shipped in the later fall and turning toward becoming deciduous for the winter.—————————————-Yea this time of year is hit or miss. Please keep us posted. It will probably take off in the spring. We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Have a great day 🙂

The plant arrived healthy and happy. It was well packaged. We have a boggy area in our backyard. When we get heavy rain, the area stays wet for a day. Through our last hurricane, the plant stayed healthy despite suffering some leaf burn.. The other clethra in our garden continued to bloom and the butterflies continued to visit.———————————————————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I have ordered several plants from wilsonbrosgardens and have always been very happy with the quality of plants and the packaging. The Ruby spice clethra was delivered as expected healthy and is growing well.———————————————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Currently giving 5 stars because have not yet had chance for fully experiencing it. Have had it for 2 seasons. First season deer nibbled all over it, so because information advised as deer resistant, I decided to give a chance again. So here at start of July of 2nd season and just saw deer had nibbled all over it again. So, no more chances…it is going to be transplanted to my no deer locations and hopefully the 3rd season will be a charm.———————————————Please try Milorganite or Nitrorganic, should work! We are glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the review! Beth | WBG 🙂

The plant arrived on time and it was in excellent condition. It is already taking off in my garden. I am very happy with the purchase.——————————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I planted this last spring in a low sandy / silty spot with terrible drainage in zone 7b. Amazingly, it is thriving where no other plant was happy. The plant arrived healthy and well packed. The flowers last summer were gorgeous, and the plant has come back even bigger this spring!———————————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

4 Clethra shrubs ordered, & received quickly, in impeccable condition. I planted them immediately, and they’re already increasing in size. I have come to depend upon Wilson Bros. for all of my shrubs (chosen to be hearty in Zone 4) and haven’t experienced a single failure with any shrub received, over the past 2 years.———————————————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I have purchased several plants from Wilson Brothers and have not yet been disappointed. The plants are packaged so well they are not damaged, there is always damp paper taped around them dirt so they stay hydrated during their trip and they are ready to plant when I unpack them. I have never had one of this particular plant so I am excited for when it blooms. I highly recommend Wilson Brothers…they are my go to plant people!——————————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Plants arrived quickly and were packaged well. Plants are in the ground and leafing out. Happy with the size and condition. Looking forward to their blooms.——————————————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Received two Clethra Ruby Spice in excellent condition, well packed. Quality of plant material and care of packing and shipping exceptional.——————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I have purchased from Wilson Bros before and I was blown away by the way everything arrived! They package with great care and your plants come to you in perfect condition. I will choose Wilson Bros time and again.——————————————————–We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the kind words and great review! Beth | WBG 🙂

Plant arrived in very good condition. 3 feet tall, fully rooted. All of my many purchases with Wilson Bros Gardens have been great quality, free shipping, and have arrived in a timely manner. I will begin to order items from them early next Spring.—————————————————–We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the kind words and great review! Beth | WBG 🙂

Ordered 3 plants that were well packaged, delivered on time, nice growth and healthy.————————————————We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the kind words and great review! Beth | WBG 🙂

This bush arrived well packaged and in great condition! Can’t wait for it to bloom!!———————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

These shrubs arrived well packed and in great condition. They were in bloom and the summersweet blooms gave off a beautiful scent. I bought 3-gal pots so they were mature plants, fairly tall. And very healthy.————————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Beautiful plants…..I appreciate the care Wilson bros garden take when packaging for the trip to my house. Everything I order always shows up in super good condition!!! I love ordering from them.—————————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

This plant came in great condition. It had a few flowers and they did have a lovely scent. It is a beautiful addition to my butterfly garden.———————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I ordered this plant, fearful of what shipping might do to it. I was surprised and delighted to open the box and see the plant sitting there smiling at me! It was so well packaged and in perfect condition. I will definitely use Wilson Brothers again!! I had searched all the local nurseries for this plant and the Internet. Found it on their site. I’m happy to have this excellent resource in the future. Thank you!———————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Plant arrived healthy and very well packaged. Unfortunately, I have still not seen any blooms and it has been a few weeks. Perhaps later in the summer blooms will emerge.—————————————They bloom Early to Mid Summer, so blooms are probably coming. We are glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the review! Beth | WBG 🙂

Kudos to Wilson Bros! The plant arrived with no problems and is twice as big as I expected! And it looks very healthy. I’ve ordered from other online nurseries in the past with disappointing results. I have a great spot for it and I am sure it will look great!———————————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Was very healthy and a very nice size.——————————————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

The Ruby Spice Summersweet Clethra, is planted by the fence, and close to a Hummingbird Feeder, which the hummingbirds fly to daily now. When the shrub gets Bigger, the Hummingbirds will go from the Clethra, to the feeder or visa versa. Already has leaves to my plant and is in its happy place for the Hummingbirds from now on!!! The Ruby Spice Summersweet Clethra is Happy and Healthy, and will Florish and make me and the Hummingbirds Continually from Now and on into Our Future.————————————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the wonderful review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

The plants were in a very good shape, thanks to your thoughtfulness!
Now they need to accept their new home and begin to grow!———————————–Thanks so much for your review. Let us know if there’s ever anything we can help you with. 🙂 – Beth | WBG

The plant arrived sooner than expected and in excellent condition. I had to wait several weeks before planting, it has leafed out and is doing well in the garden. I am looking forward to seeing it flower this summer.—————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Plants were healthy and well packed for shipping. Shipping was fast. I’m pleased with Wilson Brothers.———————————-We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the great review! Beth | WBG 🙂

Can’t wait for it to bloom.————————————-We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the great review! Beth | WBG 🙂

Just planted the shrub. Was in excellent condition upon arrival. Buds are ready to break out. Is about 30″ tall.————————————-We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the great review! Beth | WBG 🙂

The 3 gallon plant I ordered was much taller than I expected and arrived in excellent shape. I can’t wait to see this in full bloom!!!————————————————-We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the great review! Beth | WBG 🙂

When I order plants online, I am careful and read the description of the seller thoroughly. So I was pleased when this plant arrived perfectly packed. I knew it would probably come without leave, since it loses them for dormancy, but was surprised to find them intact. This will work fine in my wet back corner. Can’t wait to see the blooms in spring!—————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

The plant was packaged perfectly considering the size of it. .. beautiful and healthy ! Can hardly wait for it to bloom…love the flowers and the fragrance!———————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Beautiful! I am very happy I ordered the 3 gallon size. The plant arrived well packed and very healthy. It looks like it’s been in my garden for years. As a bonus, it had just started to bud out and I am looking forward to seeing the flowers in the next week or two. Fabulous quality and I will definitely purchase from this company again.——————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

This plant arrives in excellent shape! Healthy, bushy, and no travel damage at all! I can’t wait for it to flower.——————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

The clethra, like every other plant i’ve ordered from Wilson Brothers, was well-packaged; the plant was very healthy and much larger than expected. It has settled in nicely after only a few weeks, with new growth and covered in buds. Top quality plant from a top quality nursery!—————————————————Thanks for the great review! We are so glad you are pleased! Beth | WBG

Received my bush in excellent condition and it looked beautiful. Everything was exactly as advertised and have not had one leaf drop from the time of planting to present day. Could not be happier. Great quality, superb price and excellent customer service.——————————Thanks for the great review! We are so glad you are pleased! Beth | WBG

We live in Oregon and ordered three of these.
They arrived in about a week.
They were well packed and were healthy looking.
We have them planted now and are excited to see them grow!—————–We are so glad you are pleased! Beth | WBG

From start to present, I can’t be more impressed! Packaging was almost excessive having the packaging material weighing more than the product. Planting took place the day after arrival and saw noticeable growth the following day! In three weeks, loaded with leaves and multiple flower buds are maturing. Can’t wait for the flowers to completely develop.——————————-Thanks for the great review! Beth | WBG

Hi, just got thru opening my boxes of Summer Sweet bushes. WOW! They are in excellent condition. Cannot say enough positive things about your company and the way they handle everything.
Will be planting them soon.I really like that larger plants can be ordered. I prefer the gallon and up; especially the larger sizes too, do not have to go thru the SCL-sleep,creep,leap
Already ordered another plant.——————Thanks so much for the great review!! Beth | WBG

You have the healthiest plants I’ve ever ordered! I sure get my moneys worth!—————————-WBG Reply: Hi Rae Lynn, Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the Ruby Spice Summersweet. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come!
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens

Great service and packaging. I will continue to visit the site and order from them.

I had been looking in my area for another ruby spice & couldn’t get one. I came across your website and was happy to get one. It came well packed in its container and I was surprised of the size. Can’t wait to see it bloom, thanks.