Practical
Plants

Clethra alnifolia

Sweet Pepper Bush

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Clethra
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
2.5 m
Spread
2.5 m
Fertility
Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Material uses

The stalk of the blossom is used as a soap substitute[1]. The plants tolerate clipping and make an attractive informal hedge[8].

Product or use
Soap

Environment

Range
Eastern N. America - Maine to New Jersey, south to Florida and Mississippi.
Habitat
Swamps, damp thickets and sandy woods[9].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
high
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - sow early spring in a greenhouse[3]. Only just cover the seed and keep the pot moist. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 3 months at 13°c[4]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out once they are more than 20cm tall in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, July/August in a frame[2][3]. Very easy[3]. Root cuttings in December/January[3]. Suckers in the dormant season[3]. They can be planted out direct into their permanent positions if required. Layering of current years growth in late autumn. Takes 18 months. Can also be done in early spring[7].

Cultivation

Prefers a well-drained lime-free sandy and peaty soil[2][5]. It loves abundant moisture at its roots[2]. Prefers a sunny position or partial shade[4]. Dormant plants are hardy to about -30°c[6][7]. A good bee plant[1], the flowers are very aromatic[K]. There are some named varieties developed for their ornamental value. 'Paniculata' has longer-lasting branching panicles of flowers[5]. Like the species type, the flowers of this cultivar are very sweetly scented[8]. Suckers are freely produced when the plant is grown in conditions similar to its natural habitat[7], the plant forming thickets[5]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[7].

References

  1. Coon. N. The Dictionary of Useful Plants. Rodale Press 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-090-x

    ↩1↩2

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  4. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  5. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

    ↩

  7. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  8. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩1↩2

  9. Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00

    ↩

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