Overview

Clethra arborea is a bushy shrubs in the genus Clethra, part of the Clethraceae family, with deciduous foliage. Clethra arborea grows best in partial shade, and tolerates loam and sand soils and acid pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden and low maintenance.

About

Clethra arborea, commonly known as the lily-of-the-valley-tree, is a flowering plant in the genus Clethra. It is found in Macaronesia where it is native to Madeira, extinct in the Canary Islands, and considered an introduced species in the Azores. In Madeira its natural habitat is laurisilva forest. Grow it in partial shade and loam and sand soil. In UK gardens it is hardy in most of the UK (RHS H5). It works well for cottage and informal garden and low maintenance. It tolerates acid soils, moist but well-drained conditions and south-facing, north-facing, west-facing and east-facing aspects. Plant in well-drained soil in sun or partial shade.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Clethra arborea

About the genus

Clethra is a genus of flowering shrubs or small trees erected as a genus by Linnaeus in 1753.

Wikipedia contributors, "Clethra", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Clethra

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Clethra

Sunlight

Partial shade

Soil type

Loam, Sand

Soil pH

Acid

Soil moisture

Moist but well-drained

Aspect

South-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H5

Plant details

Clethra arborea size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Shrubs

Habit

Bushy

Foliage

Deciduous

Suggested uses

Cottage and informal garden, Low Maintenance

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Clethra arborea

Propagation

Seed in spring or autumn, Softwood cuttings in early summer

Pest resistance

Generally pest-free

Disease resistance

Generally disease-free

Frequently asked questions