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Clethra arborea (Lily-of-the-valley tree)
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1 hour care
per year
per year
8m
Max height
Max height
6m
Max spread
Max spread
10-20 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Clethra arborea
Other names
Lily-of-the-valley tree, Tree white alder, Folhado
Genus
Clethra Clethra
Species
C. arborea - C. arborea is a tender, broadly conical, evergreen shrub or small tree with red juvenile stems bearing oval, dark green leaves and lax racemes of fragrant, cup-shaped, white flowers from late summer into autumn.
Clethra arborea is: Evergreen
Fragrance
Flowers have a spicy fragrance.
Habit
Climbing
Flower
White in Summer; White in Autumn
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest-free.
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 9. May need restrictive pruning under glass.
Propagation
Surface sow thinly at 25C in spring or autumn.
Propagation methods
Seed, Softwood cuttings
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Where to grow
Clethra arborea (Lily-of-the-valley tree) will reach a height of 8m and a spread of 6m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Woodland, Wallside and trellises, Sub-Tropical, Greenhouse, Conservatory
Cultivation
Under glass, grow in ericaceous (acid) compost in bright, filtered light. Water freely & feed monthly in growth. In frost-free areas, grow in fertile, moist but well-drained, acid soil in partial shade. Do not allow soil to dry out. Tolerates clay.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Clethra arborea
Other names
Lily-of-the-valley tree, Tree white alder, Folhado
Genus
Clethra Clethra
Species
C. arborea - C. arborea is a tender, broadly conical, evergreen shrub or small tree with red juvenile stems bearing oval, dark green leaves and lax racemes of fragrant, cup-shaped, white flowers from late summer into autumn.
Native to
Eastern United States
Foliage
Evergreen
Fragrance
Flowers have a spicy fragrance.
Habit
Climbing
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Colour
Flower
White in Summer; White in Autumn
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest-free.
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 9. May need restrictive pruning under glass.
Propagation
Surface sow thinly at 25C in spring or autumn.
Propagation methods
Seed, Softwood cuttings
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Clethra arborea (Lily-of-the-valley tree) will reach a height of 8m and a spread of 6m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Woodland, Wallside and trellises, Sub-Tropical, Greenhouse, Conservatory
Cultivation
Under glass, grow in ericaceous (acid) compost in bright, filtered light. Water freely & feed monthly in growth. In frost-free areas, grow in fertile, moist but well-drained, acid soil in partial shade. Do not allow soil to dry out. Tolerates clay.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Clay, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Shade | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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