Sweet Pepper Bush Hummingbird

Quite a rare plant in Ireland, with a gorgeous scent in midsummer, Clethra alnifolia Hummingbird is a compact, small to medium-sized, deciduous shrub with an upright, suckering habit, good in the smaller garden. The glossy, deep green leaves are rather like those of the alder, and turn brilliant yellow in autumn. From July to August, feathery, creamy-white spikes of flowers appear; the flowers are very fragrant, with a sweet, clove-like scent. Must have lime-free soil. Apart from pruning out any dead or damaged growth, one in four of the oldest shoots, and suckers, Sweet pepper bush Hummingbird requires little in the way of maintenance; it holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Site: Sheltered
Soil: Moist but well-drained, acid soil
Position: Partial shade
Season of interest: Mid- to late summer; autumn
Hardiness: Fully hardy
Height: up to 4’ (1.2m) Spread: up to 4’ (1.2m)

Photos by Kenraiz and Plant Image Library, cropped, and licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 and 2.0.