Clethra alnifolia

Sweet Pepperbush is a beautiful, multi-stemmed woody shrub native to our East coast from Nova Scotia and Maine down to Florida and over to Texas. In NC it is found in swamps and moist woods on the coastal plain and outer piedmont. Clethra is rhizomatous by nature, and if allowed, can form colonies between five and seven feet high. Like many plants that tolerate the wet conditions of swamps, Clethra is hardy and thrives trouble-free in upland gardens as well. Walking past in mid-summer one is struck by the delightful, heady scent of the bright white flowers and the audible buzz of pollinators. The flowers form on new growth and flower heads develop into peppercorn-like seeds reflected in the common name. In fall, the foliage is bright yellow and soft honey brown. Grows in full sun; foliage is more attractive in part shade. Named by Linnaeus himself, and selected Wildflower of the Year for 2015 by the Virginia Native Plant Society.