The Obsessive Neurotic Gardener

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“If at first they succeed, buy more and more of that plant already.” 
I just made up that quote on the fly. Pretty good stuff, eh?
But seriously, when you have limited plant choices like I do (due to poor draining soil, deer, rabbits, etc.) shouldn’t you relish those that thrive? And by relish, I mean buy a bunch of them for your landscape. It is a smart investment and helps fill areas of the yard that require filling.
Do I follow this rule? Of course not … that would require logic and common sense … both of which I am sorely lacking.
But enough about me, for today I wanted to share with you a shrub that has worked for me since the day I planted it and requires virtually no maintenance. It is Clethra (Summersweet) ‘Hummingbird’:           
A quick run-down of why I love it:
Native to the Eastern U.S. – check 
Thrives in wet soil – check 
Deer don’t dig it – check 
That’s all I needed to know. Count me in.
The glossy green foliage on this deciduous shrub is a bit late to emerge in spring but once it does (like mid April for me here in zone 6B) it fills in quickly. The blooms then emerge by mid July and for four years running now, completely fill the shrub: 

And once the shrub is in full bloom, it is an absolute bee magnet:

And if you get closer to the computer screen, I swear to God, you can smell the clove-like awesomeness:

Some other tidbits for your reading pleasure:

  • Survives zones 3-9
  • Typical size is a compact 3′ x 3′
  • Works well for me in full sun but can also bloom in abundance in almost full shade
  • Adapts to most soil types including my aforementioned wet clay
  • I’ve noticed it has become a staple of many commercial landscapes in my area which would lead one to believe they are quite low maintenance

By mid to late August, the blooms transform to brown seed capsules and stay that way all through the Winter giving the shrub just a bit more interest:

Contrary to what has been written about this shrub, I have yet to see any great fall color. It is “decent” at best:

But that’s OK, I can live with that.

Oh yeah, back to my original point at the beginning of this post. Why I own only one of these is beyond me. They beg to be massed and that is my plan for this year. Add a bunch more and get some serious impact out of it. Enough of the onesies and twosies; let’s do this right.

On top of that, these shrubs are known to “sucker” so a few can go a long way.

May the spring come soon before I forget all of my good ideas.

John  

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4 Responses

  1. This is one gorgeous plant. The scent!! I grow two Hummingbird clethras, and the one to the left of my garden is beautiful in all ways, including nice shape and brilliant yellow fall color. The Hummingbird on the right, a few feet away is a kind of rubble pile, not a nice shape at all, splayed in the middle. Fall color is more like yours.

    So I think they are like a lot of plants that are affected by subtle variations in soil (soil test! soil test!) But in any condition, these clethra are worth growing and having more than one of, as you point out!

  2. This is a great little shrub. My daughter has three of them and one got a little fried this summer but did snap back when watered well. Our plant choices will change drastically if this heat continues for our summers.

    Eileen

  4. Agreed. This is a great plant for wet areas. I too have soggy clay, and this plant does just fine – it even takes a little standing water. Mine are Ruby Spice, not Hummingbird, but it’s the same principle – great in for wet areas, a bee magnet, amazing scent, and deer and rabbits ignore it. Here in central North Carolina it does fine in part sun/part shade. I too deem the fall color ok only, but who cares?

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