Clethra alnifolia Hummingbird

Clethra alnifolia 'Hummingbird' is a variety with a compact habit, featuring particularly abundant and fragrant flowering. This small shrub is adorned with a profusion of scented white spikes in July and August, which pleasantly contrast with its vibrant green foliage. The ability of Clethra alnifolia 'Hummingbird' to flower in shade makes it a perfect plant for decorating and adding vegetation to shady areas of the garden. Its small size allows it to be grown in containers to brighten up terraces and balconies with its generous flowering and beautiful autumn colours.

Clethra alnifolia is a small shrub that grows naturally in the swampy forests of the eastern coast of the United States. It forms a small, dense, wide, rounded and slightly spreading bush, 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) to 3m (9 ft 10 in) tall.

The 'Hummingbird' variety, derived from an American selection, is a dwarf version of Clethra alnifolia. It forms a small compact bush, one m (3 ft 3 in) tall and wide, with a dense and stocky silhouette. When it is in a suitable environment, it spreads by suckers to form small thickets. Its highly branched and upright branches bear deciduous foliage, composed of fine, ovate, dentate and glabrous leaves with strongly marked veins. They resemble those of the Alder, which is why this shrub is called by its vernacular name. They appear late in spring in shades of green-yellow, then light green when mature. In autumn, the shrub turns yellow-orange before the foliage drops.

Clethra alnifolia 'Hummingbird' is unique because of its small size, but also because of its generous flowering. In July and August, the shrub is covered with a multitude of small white spikes that project in all directions. Its spicate flowers are composed of small bell-shaped flowers with feathery stamens that open from bottom to top along the cluster. The flowering of this dwarf Clethra is delicately scented and attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees for beneficial biodiversity in the garden! The flowers then give way to small fruits in the form of brown capsules in September. This decorative fruiting persists on the plant until winter and provides a valuable food source for birds.

Due to its origins, Clethra alnifolia appreciates shady positions and cool, rich, and loose soils with a tendency to be acidic. It tolerates high temperatures and drought poorly; therefore, it can only be planted in full sun in regions with moderately warm summers. Clethra alnifolia can tolerate completely shaded exposures, but its growth may be slowed down and its flowering less abundant. Very resistant to diseases and hardy (can withstand temperatures down to -15 °C (5 °F)), this Clethra is easy to grow and will offer all its splendour with minimal care!

In a small garden, Clethra alnifolia 'Hummingbird' can be planted as a standalone plant and liven up the space with its exceptional flowering and beautiful autumn colours. This attractive small shrub will also find its place in a mass planting of acid-loving plants, combined with an 'Orangeade' Chinese Azalea, a 'Mousseline' Hydrangea, or a 'Spring Festival' Woodland Camellia to spread and diversify the blooms. Clethra alnifolia 'Hummingbird' can also be used in a low hedge, paired with shrubs with decorative foliage. Its suckering habit makes it a highly appreciated subject for soil consolidation on slopes. It will easily find its place on a slope, in a wet area, and will develop into a small thicket. Its small size allows it to be grown in pots to adorn terraces and balconies, provided it is watered regularly. Do not hesitate to plant it near a living area or passing place to enjoy its delicate spicy fragrance!