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Public Plant Profile

Vanilla Spice® Summersweet

Clethra alnifolia 'Caleb' (Vanilla Spice®)

Category: Deciduous Shrub • Summersweet

Vanilla Spice® Summersweet offers fragrant blooms and wildlife appeal, perfect for gardens and landscapes.

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Mature Height: 4-6 feet

Mature Width: 3-5 feet

Bloom Color: White

Bloom Time: Summer

Light: Sun

Zone: Zones 3-9

Maintenance: Moderate

Growth Rate: Moderate

Season of Interest: Summer

Foliage: Deciduous

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Bold Outdoors Verified Insight

Designed & Reviewed by

Josh Graber

Owner and Landscape Designer · Kansas State University · 25+ Years Experience

B.S. in Horticulture and Landscape Design – Kansas State University

25+ years of industry experience

Description

Vanilla Spice® Summersweet is a fragrant, deciduous shrub known for its attractive white flower spikes and sweet scent. It attracts pollinators and is ideal for moist, sunny locations.

Ideal Conditions

Thrives in full sun to partial shade with consistent moisture. Prefers well-drained, acidic to neutral soil.

Soil Preferences

Requires good drainage and moderate moisture; adaptable to various soil types with a pH range of 5.5 to 7.0.

Sun Needs

Sun

Watering Needs

Requires regular watering, especially during dry spells; prefers consistently moist soil.

Pruning Notes

Prune after flowering to maintain shape and encourage bushier growth.

Fertilizing Notes

Fertilize in early spring with a balanced fertilizer to promote healthy growth.

Common Issues

Generally pest-resistant but can be susceptible to powdery mildew in humid conditions.

Landscape Guidance

Landscape Use

specimenpollinator gardenmass planting

Special Features

Fragrant flowersattractive foliagewildlife-friendly

Wildlife Value

Attracts pollinators and provides habitat for birds.

Resistance / Tolerance

Tolerates humidity and clay soil.

Notes from Our Designer

Great for naturalizing and attracting pollinators. Consider grouping for a more impactful display.

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Design Ideas Using This Plant

Use this page to get a feel for where Vanilla Spice® Summersweet may fit in the landscape, then explore similar plants below for more ideas on form, texture, and overall planting style.

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Helpful Next Steps

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Vanilla Spice® Summersweet a good fit for Kansas City landscapes?

That depends on sun exposure, moisture, spacing, and how the plant will be used in the overall design. Bold Outdoors evaluates those practical conditions before recommending a plant broadly.

How should homeowners use this plant information?

Use the plant profile as a planning tool for size, conditions, and visual role, then connect it to the broader landscape design and installation plan for the property.

Next Step

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