Shrubs

Clethra alnifolia 'Novacleein'

Summer Sparkler™ summersweet

Summersweet showing fresh foliage and white flower spikes. This photograph does not identify the Summer Sparkler cultivar. Andrea Moro / CC BY-SA 4.0.

Long white flower spikes twist and curl above green foliage, creating an unusual late-summer display. Fragrant blooms draw bees and butterflies, and the leaves develop golden-brown autumn tones. Its compact framework suits moist borders and grouped plantings near a path.

At a glance

Sun: Full sun to part shade
Mature size: 3–4 ft. tall × 3–4 ft. wide
Water: Moist to wet soil
Hardiness: USDA zones 4–8

Sizes & prices

#5$49.99

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

Natural Lands

The Morton Arboretum

University of Maryland Extension

nursery-crop-extension.mgcafe.uky.edu

Photo: Andrea Moro / CC BY-SA 4.0; resized and converted to WebP · CC BY-SA 4.0

Image notes: Summersweet showing fresh foliage and white flower spikes. This photograph does not identify the Summer Sparkler cultivar. Andrea Moro / CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized and converted to WebP.

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