Rather than the single spikes of the species, this selection produces clusters of flower spikes 4-6 inches long and 3-5 inches wide. It is particularly late flowering and grows compactly to 4-6 feet. A few years ago we were honored by the visit of Mrs. Anne Bidwell, and she explained that the plant originated in a propagation class she was taking at the Arnold Arboretum. She had grown a batch of Clethra alnifolia from seed collected on Cape Cod, and one of the plants was so unusual that the staff speculated that it might even belong to a different species. Tests finally showed, however, that it was a unique selection of Clethra alnifolia.

Selected for its larger flowers and outstanding fragrance, 'Caleb' has creamy white flowers on a shrub 3-6 feet high. PPAF.
Specimen plants, grown in 2.5-gallon pots.

This latest entry in the search for the perfect dwarf Summersweet comes from Dr. Thomas Ranney at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research Center in Fletcher, N.C. Fragrant pure white flowers are produced in late summer on a plant that grows to about 2.5 feet. It has dark glossy foliage and holds it tight, dense shape.

This thrilling introduction by renowned plantsman Richard Jaynes has been honored with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Gold Medal. Generous spikes of ruby-red buds open to rich pink flowers in July and August, and the delightful fragrance of this familiar species is present in full measure! A multistemmed shrub growing ultimately to 6-8 feet, 'Ruby Spice' thrives in full sun or part shade in moist, acid soil.

A great dwarf Clethra selected by Michael Dirr from a batch of 'Hummingbird' seedlings. 'Sixteen Candles' forms a densely mounded shrub only 30 inches high with somewhat greater spread. The fragrant midsummer flower spikes are held upright and make a great show.