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Sixteen Candles Summersweet
Sixteen Candles Summersweet
$46.00
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Quantity
47 in stock
Clethra alnifolia 'Sixteen Candles'
Choose Sixteen Candles Summersweet if you want a compact native shrub for a moist foundation bed with fragrant summer flowers. The tradeoff: it is not the best choice for dry, hot foundation strips or instant privacy.
Buy This If
- You want fragrant summer bloom.
- Your soil stays reasonably moist.
- You prefer a native shrub.
Skip This If
- Your bed dries out often.
- You need winter screening.
- Deer feed there regularly.
PGNE Report Card
| Category | Grade | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Landscape Impact | B+ | The upright white flowers and fragrance give it strong summer value, but it is quieter when out of bloom. |
| Growth Rate | A- | It fills in at a useful pace when moisture is steady and the planting site is not too dry. |
| Maintenance | B+ | It needs little shaping, though dry sites may require watering to keep it looking good. |
| Deer Resistance | B+ | Deer tend to leave this alone, though hungry deer may sample it where pressure is heavy. |
| Small Space Fit | A- | Its compact, upright habit makes it easier to place than many older summersweets. |
| Screening Value | D | It is deciduous and too compact to serve as a privacy screen. |
Our Experience
At PGNE, we’d typically recommend Sixteen Candles for moist beds near entries, patios, and pollinator areas where fragrance will be noticed, not for dry curbside strips or screening jobs.
Plant Facts
| Mature Height | 3.5 ft |
|---|---|
| Mature Width | 2.5 ft |
| Hardiness Zones | 4a-9b |
| Spacing | 3 ft |
| Sun | Full Sun to Part Shade |
| Moisture | Average to wet |
| Growth Habit | Upright, rounded, suckering |
Customers Usually Ask
Does it need wet soil?
No, but it performs best where the soil does not dry out hard.
Will it attract pollinators?
Yes, the summer flowers are a strong draw for bees and other pollinators.
Is it evergreen?
No, it drops its leaves in winter.
Why Clethra (Summersweet) Belongs in Your Landscape
- Fragrant Summer Blooms - Sweetly scented flower spikes bloom in mid-to-late summer when most other shrubs have finished flowering
- Thrives Where Others Struggle - Tolerates wet soil, shade, and even coastal salt spray better than most ornamental shrubs
- Pollinator Favorite - Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds throughout its long bloom window
Shrubs Grown to Perform in New England
At Pro Growers of New England, our shrubs are grown and maintained locally to perform in true New England conditions. From flowering varieties to evergreen foundation plants, each shrub is properly spaced, pruned, and cared for to develop strong root systems and balanced structure before it ever reaches your landscape.
Unlike large online sellers that ship plants long distances, we invite you to visit our nursery, walk the rows, and inspect the exact shrubs available. You can see the size, health, and fullness in person — ensuring there are no surprises upon delivery.
Unlike large online sellers that ship plants long distances, we invite you to visit our nursery, walk the rows, and inspect the exact shrubs available. You can see the size, health, and fullness in person — ensuring there are no surprises upon delivery.
Pro Growers of New England, Inc
SKU:PGNE-31249
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