Ruby Spice Summersweet

Fragrant Pink Blooms
Native Pollinator Shrub
Golden Fall Color

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#3 Container

$45.00

1 in stock

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$45.00

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Our local delivery area reaches as far north as Schroon Lake, south to Voorheesville, Glenmont, and East Greenbush areas, parts of Fulton and Montgomery counties, much of Washington County, and all areas in between. If you have questions on local delivery, give us a call at

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Ruby Spice Summersweet

Sunlight
Can grow in a range from full sun to partial shade. They need at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight per day.
Watering
Regular watering schedule for the first six months. Once established, rainwater should be sufficient.
Fertilizing
Should not need any extra fertilizer unless your entire lawn and garden have problems and needs regular fertilizing.

Ruby Spice Summersweet

Ruby Spice Summersweet is a native deciduous flowering shrub known for fragrant rosy-pink summer flower spikes, glossy green foliage, and golden fall color. Its upright, rounded habit brings color, scent, and pollinator value to rain gardens, shrub borders, foundation beds, and woodland-edge landscapes.

Why choose Ruby Spice Summersweet?

Choose Ruby Spice Summersweet for its richer pink blooms and sweet summer fragrance. This selection offers a more colorful alternative to white-flowering summersweet while keeping the adaptable, moisture-loving nature gardeners appreciate. Its flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, while its tidy shrub form works well in groups, mixed borders, and naturalized plantings. The late-season bloom time is especially valuable for extending garden interest into midsummer and beyond.

Key Characteristics

Botanical Name: Clethra alnifolia ‘Ruby Spice’
Common Name: Ruby Spice Summersweet
Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
Growth Habit: Upright, rounded, suckering shrub

Ruby Spice Summersweet Additional Information

Ruby Spice Summersweet blooms in mid to late summer, producing upright, bottlebrush-like spikes of fragrant rosy-pink flowers above clean green foliage. The blooms are attractive to pollinators and bring welcome color and scent to the garden during a season when many shrubs are not flowering. After bloom, small seed capsules may remain on the stems, adding subtle winter texture after the leaves drop.

This shrub prefers moist, acidic, organic-rich soil and is well suited to rain gardens, pond edges, damp borders, native plantings, and partially shaded woodland edges. It can slowly spread by root suckers where growing conditions are favorable, creating a fuller naturalized effect over time. Ruby Spice Summersweet is deciduous, with foliage that often turns yellow to golden yellow in fall. Because it flowers on new wood, pruning is best done in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.

Planting & Care

1. Planting: Plant Ruby Spice Summersweet in full sun to partial shade with moist, acidic, well-drained to occasionally wet soil. Set the root ball level with the surrounding soil and water thoroughly after planting.

2. Watering: Keep soil evenly moist while the shrub establishes. Once rooted in, water during dry spells, especially in sunny locations, sandy soils, or newly planted rain garden areas.

3. Mulching: Apply a 2–3 inch layer of mulch around the root zone to help conserve moisture, cool the soil, and reduce weed competition. Keep mulch slightly away from the stems.

4. Pruning: Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Remove damaged stems, thin older growth as needed, or lightly shape while preserving the natural upright form.

Related Resources

FAQs

How big does Ruby Spice Summersweet get?
Ruby Spice Summersweet typically grows about 4–6 feet tall and 3–5 feet wide, depending on site conditions, moisture, soil quality, and pruning.
When does Ruby Spice Summersweet bloom?
It usually blooms in mid to late summer with fragrant rosy-pink flower spikes. This later bloom time helps extend color and pollinator interest in the landscape.
Does Ruby Spice Summersweet need full sun?
Ruby Spice Summersweet grows well in full sun to partial shade. Full sun can encourage stronger flowering when soil moisture is consistent, while partial shade is useful in woodland-edge settings.

Shipping Details

Estimated Shipping Time: Most orders ship immediately. As noted on the website, some items are seasonal, and may only ship in spring or fall. Once your order is shipped, you’ll receive an email with a tracking number.

Amount of Order	Shipping Charge
Local Delivery	FREE SHIPPING
Non-Local Delivery	Varies based on UPS shipping

Lush Foliage
Partial Shade
Flowering

Mature Height	Small: Up to 15 ft
Mature Spread	5-10 ft
Growth Rate	Moderate, Slow
Botanical Name	Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice'
Bloom Time	Mid Summer
Deer Resistant	Usually
Family	Clethracease
Flower Color	Pink
Hardiness Zones	4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Light Needs	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Maintenance	Low
Size	#3 Container

Map of the United States with most states shaded green and boundary lines visible.

Growing Zones 4-9 Outdoors

(Hardy down to -30)

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