Clethra In Winter

Clethra do not require pruning, however respond very well to it. Since Clethra bloom on new growth, pruning can be done during winter or early spring without effecting the summer bloom. Pruning is a good way to rejuvenate the shrub following a harsh of winter.

Is Clethra an evergreen?

Clethra pringlei, commonly called Mexican clethra, is an evergreen shrub to 8-12' tall that sometimes rises as a small tree to 20' tall. It is native to Mexico.

Does Clethra lose its leaves?

They are 1.5” to 4” in length and 1”- 2” wide. In the fall the leaves turn a striking yellow color before they are shed. As the flowers fade they give rise to spikes of dark brown seed capsules which persist into winter and provide continuing interest. Flowers are very attractive to butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees.

Is Summersweet Clethra evergreen?

Summersweet clethra is a native, deciduous upright shrub that typically grows between 4 and 8 feet tall and slowly spreads by sending up new shoots from rhizomes to form a small thicket.

Does Clethra bloom on old wood?

This plant blooms on new wood so you can “go nuts” if that is prudent. This plant grows and develops best in acidic soil.

Should I cut back Sweet William for winter?

Aside from deadheading, Sweet Williams won't need much pruning in their first two years but they may start to grow unruly in their third year. Prune your plants in the autumn or early spring, trimming larger stems near the base.

Does Clethra need a lot of water?

Watering: Water regularly to keep the soil moist, especially during the first growing season. Once the roots became established, summersweet bush is somewhat drought tolerant, but avoid letting the soil dry out completely.

Does Clethra spread?

A Word to the Wise: Most Clethra will spread by gently suckering to the sides of the main stem. You can cut these new stems off if you need to rein the plant in, or you can let it spread to form a nice colony or grouping. This plant may be a native but it is not for the driest landscapes.

What does Sweetspire look like in the winter?

Fall temperatures and shortened days turn Sweetspire's dark green summer foliage into intense shades of red, purple orange and gold. Unlike many deciduous shrubs, Itea's leaves tend to remain on the reddish-brown branches well into winter.

Does Clethra grow in shade?

Easily grown in average, medium to wet soils in full sun to part shade. Prefers part shade and consistently moist, acidic, sandy soils. Soils should not be allowed to dry out. Tolerates clay soils.

Is Sweetspire the same as Clethra?

Virginia Sweetspire is somewhat similar to Coastal Sweet Pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia) in flower, but blooms much earlier (in May, August for Coastal Sweet Pepperbush) and has unfragrant flowers, while those of Coastal Sweet Pepperbush are extremely fragrant.

What to pair with Clethra?

Because of its honey gold autum foliage, Clethra also looks beautiful when planted near darker foliage shrubs such as purple-leafed Cotinus, and Physocarpus cultivars 'Diabolo', 'Coppertinia', and 'Summer Wine'.

Does Sweet William grow in winter?

Sweet William is grown by transplantation method. In India, seeds are sown during September-October for winter flowering. Seeds can be planted in June-September for early flowering.

Can you keep summersweet small?

Summersweet is a slow growing deciduous shrub that is hardy in zones 4 to 9. It may be necessary to control the plant's suckering habit or prune it to shape. Pruning should be done in late winter or early spring.

Do hummingbirds like Clethra?

Flowering in mid to late summer when most shrubs are done, the flowers are like magnets for butterflies, hummingbirds, and bumblebees, honey bees, and other native bees – a huge draw! Even in shade, Clethra will flower profusely, so it is a great native for woodland gardens.

When should I plant Clethra?

Plant shrubs from spring to early fall in well-drained, moist soil in a part sun or shade location. Pepperbush grows best in humus-rich, slightly acidic soils that don't dry out. Space plants 4 to 6 feet apart.

Is Clethra deer resistant?

Along with these amenable credentials, Clethra is deer resistant and attracts butterflies and hummingbirds with its fragrant flowers.

Can Sweetshrub be pruned?

For the most part, sweetshrubs are pest free and easy to grow. Plants will sucker in time and spread limitedly. Older plants may become somewhat leggy and are easily rejuvenated by pruning back to ground level.

What do you do with Sweet William in the winter?

Sweet William seeds are tough enough to survive most winters, and can be planted in fall or late spring to bloom 12 to 18 months later. If the plants have already started growing, or if you are concerned about a harsh winter, you may keep the plants in indoor pots, then transplant them outdoors in early spring.

How many years do Sweet Williams last?

The plant grows for two years, blooming in the second year. The compact size of Sweet Williams makes them great for containers and pots or on a windowsill. Despite their small size, they also make good cut flowers – all they need for indoor splendour is a small vase.