September Beauty sweet pepperbush
Clethra alnifolia 'September Beauty'
USDA zones3 to 9
SunHandles full sun to partial sun
WaterHandles dry to wet soil
Size4 to 6 feet tall3 to 4 feet wide
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Habit
- Dense
- Bloom season
- Summer, autumn
- Bloom color
- White
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
'September Beauty' sweet pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia 'September Beauty') is a shrub for borders, cottage gardens, hedges, and rain gardens. It is hardy to USDA zone 3, or down to -40°F (-40°C). This plant likes full or part sun and dry to wet, sandy, loamy, or clay soil. The fragrant white flowers open from early to late summer and again in early autumn, and they draw butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees. It is not a favorite of deer, though hungry deer will eat almost anything. It also tolerates salt.
Pairs well with White Swan coneflower, Incrediball Storm Proof smooth hydrangea, Sensitive fern, and Goldsturm black-eyed Susan.