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Clethra delavayi (Delavay summersweet)
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1 hour care
per year
per year
4m
Max height
Max height
4m
Max spread
Max spread
10-20 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Clethra delavayi
Other names
Delavay summersweet
Genus
Clethra Clethra
Species
C. delavayi - C. delavayi is an erect, deciduous shrub with lance-shaped, veined, toothed, dark blue-green leaves turning orange and red in autumn and, in summer, dense, racemes of pink buds opening to fragrant, nodding, cup-shaped, white flowers.
Clethra delavayi is: Deciduous
Fragrance
Flowers have a spicy fragrance.
Habit
Erect
Flower
White in Summer
Foliage
Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Red, Orange in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest-free.
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 1. Remove some of the oldest, weakest stems from the base in winter.
Propagation
Surface sow thinly at 25C in spring or autumn.
Propagation methods
Seed, Softwood cuttings
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Where to grow
Clethra delavayi (Delavay summersweet) will reach a height of 4m and a spread of 4m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Waterside, Low Maintenance, Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Wildlife, Woodland
Cultivation
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 delavayi
Other names
Delavay summersweet
Genus
Clethra Clethra
Species
C. delavayi - C. delavayi is an erect, deciduous shrub with lance-shaped, veined, toothed, dark blue-green leaves turning orange and red in autumn and, in summer, dense, racemes of pink buds opening to fragrant, nodding, cup-shaped, white flowers.
Foliage
Deciduous
Fragrance
Flowers have a spicy fragrance.
Habit
Erect
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Colour
Flower
White in Summer
Foliage
Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Red, Orange in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest-free.
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 1. Remove some of the oldest, weakest stems from the base in winter.
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 delavayi (Delavay summersweet) will reach a height of 4m and a spread of 4m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Waterside, Low Maintenance, Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Wildlife, Woodland
Cultivation
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 10, Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6
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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