Ruby Spice sweet pepperbush
Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice'
RHS AGM 2012; MBG Plant of Merit 2015
USDA zones4 to 8
SunHandles full sun or partial sun or full shade
WaterHandles dry to wet soil
Size4 to 6 feet tall3 to 5 feet wide
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Habit
- Dense
- Bloom season
- Summer, autumn
- Bloom color
- Rose pink
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay
- Soil pH
- Acid
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
'Ruby Spice' sweet pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice') is a shrub for borders, pollinator gardens, and rain gardens. It is hardy to USDA zone 4, or down to -30°F (-34°C). This plant likes full sun to full shade and dry to wet, sandy, loamy, or clay soil. Fragrant rose pink flower spikes open from late summer into fall and draw butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees. It spreads by root suckers, so give it room. Deer tend to pass it by.
Pairs well with Red twig dogwood, Joe-pyeweed, and Switchgrass.