‘Ruby Spice’ is a cultivar of one of our most beautiful native shrubs, Clethra alnifolia or Sweet Pepperbush. They are deciduous shrubs of medium stature with rich, dark green foliage, and flowers with head-turning, sensuous, honey-sweet scent in mid- to late-summer when few other shrubs are flowering. The flowers of ‘Ruby Spice’, however, are a rich rose/pink rather than the bright white of C. alnifolia. They are upright panicles 3.5-4 inches tall, and hold their color well. ‘Ruby Spice’ is a little shorter than C. alnifolia (4-6 feet x 3-5 feet) and spreads a bit less aggressively. Both thrive in moist, slightly acid soils and can even tolerate wet conditions. Growth is most vigorous in full sun (if kept moist), but the foliage benefits from some shade, which causes the leaves to be deeper green and more lush. Flowering also occurs in part shade (and some say, even in full shade). Like C. alnifolia species, ‘Ruby Spice’ attracts butterflies, bees, hummingbirds and other pollinators in abundance. Fall color is a good strong yellow to honey brown. It does not appear to have any serious insect or disease problems, and is even reported to be deer resistant. A beautiful shrub for foundation plantings, shrub borders, natural areas near ponds or streams, rain gardens, or in mixed hedges. Planted near a patio, though, its butterflies, hummingbirds and wonderful scent will be all the closer. The USDA plant distribution map linked below is for the species.
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Clethra ‘Ruby Spice’
Key Info
Scientific Name: Clethra alnifolia (L.) cv. 'Ruby Spice'
Common Names: 'Ruby Spice' Clethra, 'Ruby Spice' Summersweet
Family Names: Clethraceae (White Alder Family)
Plant Type: Tree / Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Flower Color: Pink/rose
Additional Info
Habit: Densely branched, upright, rhizomatous shrub with medium texture.
Height: 4'-6'
Spread: 3'-5'
Soil Conditions: Thrives in moist, sandy, slightly acid soils but tolerates clay and standing water as well
Leaves: Alternate, simple, sharply serrated, obovate with pointed tip, 3-4" long with light pubescence beneath. Late to leaf out in the spring. Medium texture. Fall color is strong yellow to golden brown.
Flowers (or reproductive structures: Narrow, upright panicles of perfect flowers, 3.5-4" long, flowering from the base upward. Buds are deep rose color fading to a lighter shade of pink. Fragrant.
Fruit: Seed capsules about 1/8 inch ripen in fall and persist into winter.
Natural Distribution: 'Ruby Spice' is a selection of the cultivar 'Pink Spires'. It has no natural distribution.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8
USDA Wetland Indicator Status in NC: see C. alnifolia
Pollination: Bees and other insects; hummingbirds
Wildlife Connections: Reported to be deer resistant; attracts large numbers of native bees, bumble bees, honey bees, and butterflies; also attracts hummingbirds; good cover for small animals in natural settings.
Propagation: 'Ruby Spice' is propagated by cuttings.
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