Search
Close this search box.

STORE HOURS: Open Mon-Sat 9am-4pm | Sun 10am-4pm

Sixteen Candles Summersweet

Categories: , ,

Sixteen Candles Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia ‘Sixteen Candles’)Produces bountiful spikes of intensely fragrant white flowers in late summer when little else blooms, good yellow fall color as well; needs moist acidic soil; some suckering, good for filling in an area

Characteristics

Average Landscape Height:
4 feet
Average Landscape Width:
4 feet
Growth Rate:
slow
Genus:
Clethra
Species:
alnifolia
Cultivar:
Sixteen Candles
Flower Color:
white
Flower Period:
from mid to late summer
Summer Foliage Color:
green
Fall Color:
harvest
Minimum Light:
partial shade
Maximum Light:
full sun
Minimum Moisture:
average
Maximum Moisture:
wet
Plant Form:
round
Canopy:
closed
Pruning:
late winter pruning
Pollution Tolerance:
high
Other Species Names:
Sweet Pepperbush
Branching:
multi-stemmed
Flower Fragrance:
high

Ornamental Features

Sixteen Candles Summersweet has masses of beautiful spikes of fragrant white flowers rising above the foliage from mid to late summer, which are most effective when planted in groupings. It has green deciduous foliage. The glossy round leaves turn an outstanding harvest gold in the fall.

Landscape Attributes

Sixteen Candles Summersweet is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with a more or less rounded form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

Planting & Growing

Sixteen Candles Summersweet will grow to be about 4 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 4 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It is quite adaptable, prefering to grow in average to wet conditions, and will even tolerate some standing water. It is not particular as to soil type, but has a definite preference for acidic soils, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selection of a native North American species.

PREVIOUSLY VIEWED ITEMS