Clethra

Only a few of the small trees and shrubs in this genus Clethra are hardy, and those, including our East Coast native Clethra alnifolia, are amazingly adaptable, growing in moist conditions or dry. (Evenly moist soil is required in the South). Also called Sweet Pepperbush or Summersweet, Clethra produces fragrant, showy blooms in July and August.