Plant Profile: Clethra alnifolia 'Crystalina' PP21,561

Clethra alnifolia is the sole species of the Clethra genus found in North America. This plant thrives in moist, poorly drained soils and can grow larger and produce more suckers when given ample water. Once established, it can adapt to drier conditions, although it does not withstand drought well. What sets C. alnifolia apart from other flowering shrubs is its ability to bloom in shaded areas during late summer, a time when many other shrubs are not in flower.

The 'Crystalina' cultivar, marketed under the name SUGARTINA, is a compact and elegant version of summersweet, known for its striking and fragrant blossoms. By pruning this shrub to control its height, gardeners can enhance its versatility in contemporary landscapes. 'Crystalina' was selected from seedlings of an open-pollinated 'Ruby Spice' and features a pleasing, rounded shape. Its flowers are particularly impressive, forming long, abundant racemes, and it propagates easily from softwood cuttings.

Like its relatives, this cultivar can tolerate wet soil conditions. While it can grow in full sun, it thrives best in light, dappled shade. Clethra prefers partially shaded areas with consistently moist, acidic, sandy soils, and it is important to prevent the soil from drying out. It can also tolerate clay soils and full shade, making it an excellent choice for coastal gardens due to its resistance to salt spray.

In terms of pests and diseases, the plant is vulnerable to spider mite damage, particularly in hot or dry conditions, which can be quite severe.

For further details on Clethra alnifolia, additional resources are available.