Shrubs

Clethra alnifolia 'Hummingbird'

Hummingbird summersweet

Hummingbird summersweet after bloom; its fragrant white flowers are not shown.

A compact summersweet with upright white flower spikes and a rounded habit. Fragrant summer flowers bring life to moist borders, while leaves turn golden yellow in autumn. Its lower stature fits smaller garden spaces better than the full-sized species.

At a glance

Sun: Full sun to part shade
Mature size: 2–3 ft. tall × 2–3 ft. wide
Water: Moist to wet soil
Hardiness: USDA zones 4–9

Sizes & prices

#15Consistant dwarf long blooming summersweet that is now a Proven Winner$54.99

Catalog updated September 8, 2026. This is not a live stock count; please call to confirm availability and price.

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Resistance & tolerances

Wet soil: Tolerates wet sites and occasional flooding.

Pollinators & wildlife

Attracts: Bees, Butterflies

Native range

Native range / parentage: Cultivar of a species native to the eastern United States. Cultivated selection of a Kentucky-native species; not wild local stock.
Tristate native status: Cultivated selection of a Kentucky-native species; not wild local stock.

Seasonal interest

Foliage: Deciduous.

Growing & care

Pruning: Prune in spring if needed; flowers form on new wood.

Sources & photo credits

The Morton Arboretum

University of Maryland Extension

nursery-crop-extension.mgcafe.uky.edu

Photo: David J. Stang · CC BY-SA 4.0

Reviewed September 21, 2026. Growing conditions vary by location.