About
Clethra barbinervis Great Star ('Minbarb') is an upright deciduous shrub that can reach heights of up to 2 meters. Its mature bark exhibits a distinctive peeling texture, while the dark green foliage transforms to shades of yellow and red as autumn approaches. During late summer, this plant produces clusters of small, white, fragrant blooms that form slender, arching spikes measuring up to 15 centimeters in length. It thrives in shady borders or woodland gardens, making it an ideal choice for such environments.
About the genus
Clethra consists of trees or shrubs that can be either deciduous or evergreen. They often feature notable bark and have simple leaves. The small, fragrant flowers are typically white, bell-shaped, and arranged in racemes or panicles.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Partial shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Spread
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Fragrance
- Flower
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained acidic soil in partial or dappled shade
- Pruning
- See pruning group 1
- Propagation
- Propagate by sowing seed in containers outdoors in spring or autumn. Take greenwood cuttings in early summer
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free