{"product_id":"ruby-spice-summersweet","title":"Ruby Spice Summersweet","description":"\u003ch3 class=\"pd-title-head\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eClethra alnifolia\u003c\/em\u003e 'Ruby Spice'\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOverview\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUses:\u003c\/strong\u003e Foundation plantings, shrub borders, shade gardens, rain gardens, woodland edges, mass plantings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBenefits:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep rose-pink bottlebrush flower spikes bloom in mid to late summer when few other shrubs are flowering. Intensely sweet, spicy fragrance carries through the garden and attracts butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Thrives in moist, shaded conditions where many flowering shrubs struggle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Hardiness Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4–9\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSun:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full Sun to Full Shade\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLife Cycle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deciduous Shrub\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Habit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Upright, Rounded — densely branched with a compact oval form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Color:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pink\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage Color:\u003c\/strong\u003e Green, turning golden yellow in fall\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Height:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4–6 feet\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Width:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3–5 feet\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Season:\u003c\/strong\u003e Midsummer through late summer\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Slow to Moderate\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSummary\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRuby Spice Summersweet fills a gap in the garden that few other shrubs can touch — fragrant, richly colored blooms in the heart of summer, even in shaded and wet conditions. The deep rose-pink flower spikes hold their color far better than other pink Clethra selections, which tend to fade to a washed-out tone as blooms mature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bottlebrush-style racemes open from late July into August, releasing a spicy-sweet fragrance that carries well beyond the immediate planting area. Butterflies, native bees, and hummingbirds respond strongly to the nectar-rich flowers, making this one of the best midsummer pollinator shrubs available. The glossy dark green foliage provides an attractive backdrop throughout the growing season and turns warm golden yellow in fall. Small, peppercorn-like seed capsules persist into winter for subtle textural interest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNative to the swamps, marshes, and coastal woodlands of eastern North America, Summersweet is naturally adapted to moist, acidic soils and partial to full shade. Ruby Spice maintains a dense, compact habit and spreads slowly by root suckers, making it easy to manage in borders, foundations, and rain garden plantings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRuby Spice Summersweet Care\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant Ruby Spice in partial shade to full shade for the most attractive foliage. Full sun is tolerated in northern regions if consistent moisture is maintained. This shrub thrives in moist to wet, acidic soils rich in organic matter and adapts well to clay, sandy, and loamy conditions. It tolerates occasional standing water and is an excellent choice for low-lying areas and rain gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWater consistently, especially during establishment and in drier sites. While mature plants handle brief dry spells, Summersweet performs best with reliable moisture. A layer of organic mulch helps retain soil moisture and maintain the acidic conditions this shrub prefers. Fertilize lightly in spring with a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/products\/slow-release-fertilizer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eslow release fertilizer\u003c\/a\u003e formulated for acid-loving plants if growth seems slow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Clethra blooms on new wood, so spring pruning does not reduce flowering. Remove any dead or crossing stems and thin suckers if the plant is spreading beyond its intended footprint.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSize\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat Size is the Ruby Spice Summersweet for Sale Online?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur Ruby Spice Summersweet ships in a greenhouse-grade grow pot and is appropriately sized for its container at the time of shipment. If you have specific sizing or planting questions, please \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/pages\/contact\" title=\"Contact Almanac Planting Co\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003econtact us\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow Large Does Ruby Spice Summersweet Grow?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRuby Spice typically reaches 4 to 6 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide. It spreads gradually by root suckers and can form a small thicket over time if not managed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAdditional Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat are some common names for this plant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis plant is commonly known as Ruby Spice Summersweet, Sweet Pepperbush, and Summersweet Clethra. The name Sweet Pepperbush refers to the small, peppercorn-like seed capsules that follow the flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Ruby Spice Summersweet a native plant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRuby Spice is a nativar — a cultivar selected from the native species Clethra alnifolia, which is indigenous to eastern North America from Maine to Florida. It retains the ecological value and site adaptability of the straight species while offering deeper pink flower color. It is a strong addition to \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/collections\/native-plants\"\u003eNative Plants of North America\u003c\/a\u003e gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan Ruby Spice grow in wet soil?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Clethra alnifolia naturally grows in swamps, wet woodlands, and coastal marshes. Ruby Spice handles consistently moist to wet conditions and is an excellent choice for rain gardens, stream banks, and low-lying areas where drainage is poor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Ruby Spice Summersweet deer resistant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Summersweet is widely regarded as deer resistant and is rarely browsed. This makes it a reliable choice for shaded landscapes with deer pressure. Explore our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/collections\/deer-resistant-shrubs-evergreens\"\u003eDeer-Resistant Shrubs and Evergreens\u003c\/a\u003e collection for more options.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Almanac Planting Co","offers":[{"title":"3 Gallon \/ Ship ASAP","offer_id":46701349306530,"sku":"PNO2-RbSpSw-3-1yr","price":79.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0586\/9374\/6850\/files\/Ruby-Spice-Summersweet-1.jpg?v=1774429212","url":"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/products\/ruby-spice-summersweet","provider":"Almanac Planting Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}