Summersweet ‘Vanilla Spice’

Common Name: Vanilla Spice Summersweet

Scientific Name: Clethra alnifolia ‘Vanilla Spice’ (cultivar ‘Caleb’)

Zone: 4 to 9

Blossom Colour: Pure white, extra‑large bottlebrush spikes

Flowering Type: Mid‑ to late summer (July–August); very fragrant and nectar‑rich

Summer Colour: Glossy dark green foliage

Fall Colour: Warm yellow to golden‑amber

Mature Height (ft): 3 to 6

Mature Spread (ft): 3 to 4

Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade (blooms best with 4 + hours of sun)

Tree Type: Deciduous Shrub

Watering: Moderate to high; prefers consistently moist, acidic soil—ideal for rain gardens or pond edges

Fertilization: Incorporate compost or peat each spring; if soil is poor, apply an acid‑loving slow‑release fertilizer in early spring at label rate.