Sweet Pepper Bush 'Ruby Spice' - Clethra alnifolia
 
 
Sweet Pepperbush 'Ruby Spice' (Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice') is a stunning deciduous shrub that thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soils, though it can tolerate wet conditions. This compact shrub typically grows 3 to 6 feet tall and wide, making it an excellent choice for small gardens and landscape borders. In mid to late summer, it produces an abundance of fragrant, deep pink flower spikes that can reach up to 6 inches long. These striking blooms stand out against the dark green, glossy leaves, which turn an attractive yellow in the fall.
'Ruby Spice' is a favorite among pollinators, providing nectar for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. It also serves as a host plant for various moth and butterfly caterpillars, including the Hummingbird Clearwing moth. In landscaping, Sweet Pepperbush 'Ruby Spice' is ideal for rain gardens, shrub borders, and woodland gardens. Its vibrant flowers, pleasant fragrance, and adaptability to different soil conditions make it a versatile and attractive addition to any native plant garden focused on sustainability and wildlife support.
 
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