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.

Clethra

Clethra acuminata

Clethra alnifolia is a robust, upright shrub that typically reaches heights of up to 2 meters. Its leaves are simple and obovate with a serrated edge, often turning yellow as fall approaches. During the summer months, the plant produces clusters of near-white flowers in upright, terminal racemes that emit a pleasant fragrance. There are also varieties with pink flowers available.

Clethra alnifolia

Clethra alnifolia 'Alba'

Clethra alnifolia 'Anne Bidwell'

Clethra alnifolia 'Compacta'

Clethra alnifolia 'Creel's Calico' (v)

This upright, suckering deciduous shrub reaches heights of up to 2.5 meters. It features glossy, oval leaves with finely serrated edges. During late summer and early autumn, dark pink buds unfurl into elongated, dense spikes filled with highly fragrant, pale pinkish-white blossoms.

Clethra alnifolia 'Fern Valley Pink'

Clethra alnifolia 'Fingle Dwarf'

Clethra alnifolia 'Hokie Pink'

Clethra alnifolia 'Hummingbird' is a compact shrub that reaches heights of about 1.2 meters. It features glossy dark green foliage that transitions to yellow in the fall. In mid to late summer, it produces numerous feathery spikes adorned with fragrant white flowers reminiscent of cloves.

Clethra alnifolia 'Hummingbird'

Clethra alnifolia 'Nana'

This is a medium-sized, bushy deciduous shrub featuring finely serrated, obovate leaves. At the tips of its branches, clusters of small, fragrant white flowers emerge in panicles.

Clethra alnifolia 'Paniculata'

This upright, suckering shrub reaches a height of about 1.5 meters and features glossy, finely serrated leaves. During late summer and early autumn, it bears clusters of fragrant pink blooms on short, dense spikes. It thrives in shaded borders or woodland gardens.

Clethra alnifolia 'Pink Spice'

This robust, upright, deciduous shrub typically reaches a height of 1.5 meters and features finely serrated, glossy foliage. During late summer and early autumn, it produces compact clusters of fragrant pink blossoms that develop from darker pink buds, maintaining their color throughout the blooming period. Ideal for planting in shaded borders or woodland settings.

Clethra alnifolia 'Pink Spires'

Clethra alnifolia 'Rosea'

'Ruby Spice' is a robust shrub, reaching heights of about 1.5 meters. It features glossy dark green foliage that transforms to yellow in the fall. In late summer to early autumn, it produces abundant clusters of rich pink flowers with a sweet clove fragrance. Unlike some other varieties, the blooms maintain their vibrant color without fading.

Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice'

Clethra alnifolia 'September Beauty'

Clethra alnifolia 'Sixteen Candles' is a compact, upright deciduous shrub that features glossy leaves, which transition to yellow in the fall. In summer, it produces clusters of elongated, candle-shaped spikes adorned with fragrant white flowers.

Clethra alnifolia 'Sixteen Candles'

Clethra alnifolia Vanilla Spice ('Caleb')

Clethra alnifolia White Dove ('Sotite')

Clethra alnifolia White Spire ('Darwish'PBR)

Clethra arborea

This large deciduous shrub features appealing bark and obovate leaves that can grow up to 12 cm long, displaying red and orange hues in the fall. During late summer and autumn, it produces clusters of small, fragrant white flowers in racemes.

Clethra barbinervis

Clethra barbinervis 'White Star' is an upright, deciduous shrub that can reach a height of 2.5 meters. As it matures, its bark begins to flake. The leaves are oval, toothed, and dark green, displaying hues of red and yellow in the fall. From late summer through early autumn, this plant produces elongated clusters of fragrant white flowers.

Clethra barbinervis 'White Star'

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.

Clethra barbinervis Great Star ('Minbarb')

Clethra canescens Reinw. ex Blume

Clethra columbiana

Clethra conzattiana

Clethra delavayi Franch. is a sizable deciduous shrub that can reach heights of up to 4 meters. It features arching branches and blue-green foliage that can grow up to 15 centimeters in length. In midsummer, this plant produces dense clusters of cup-shaped white flowers that emit a pleasant fragrance and are held horizontally on the stems.