Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice' is a deciduous, summer-flowering shrub native to Eastern North America, where it grows in damp shade along streams. Its flowers are usually white, but the cultivar ...

Ruby Spice is taller, reaching 3 to 6 feet tall producing rose pink blooms. It is known to sucker, but is densely branched and makes a nice hedge. Vanilla Spice is large in habit and in bloom.

But “Ruby Spice” will keep its dark-pink color throughout the season. If you want a full-size white clethra, 8 to 10 feet tall, you will do best with the seedling or species plant.

Q • I have just purchased a ‘Ruby Spice’ summersweet Clethra alnifolia. Can I plant that around the foundation of our home or should this be planted in a more open space? If you get suckers ...

Updated: Aug. 11, 2010, 10:29 a.m. |Published: Aug. 11, 2010, 9:29 a.m. By Special to The Oregonian View full size René Eisenbart/The Oregonian Clethra alnifolia ...

Clethra alnifolia is a native shrub that grows to about 8 feet high, colonizing in moist areas and lowlands along the eastern coast of the U.S.A.

Those of you who would rather “go native” can add sweet pepperbush to the garden. Also known as summersweet, this plant with the botanical name Clethra alnifolia sports pink or white flowers ...