{"product_id":"summer-sparkler-summersweet","title":"Summer Sparkler Summersweet","description":"\u003ch1\u003eFragrant White Spikes for the Shady, Damp Garden\u003c\/h1\u003e\u003cp\u003eSummer Sparkler Summersweet (\u003cem\u003eClethra alnifolia\u003c\/em\u003e) lights up the late-summer landscape with a flush of fragrant, creamy-white flower spikes just as most shrubs have gone quiet. Compact and rounded, it's built for the moist, shaded spots that frustrate other plants, and its honey-sweet scent draws butterflies and bees from across the yard. A tough, native-type shrub that earns its place in Minnetonka, Blaine, and Lakeville beds.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ctable class=\"mce-item-table\"\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cem\u003eClethra alnifolia\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–4 ft tall and wide\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness Zone\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3–9 (fully hardy across Minnesota)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun to part shade; tolerates shade\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Time\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMid to late summer (July–August)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlower Color\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFragrant white spikes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMoist to wet; tolerates clay and poor drainage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eLandscape Uses\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eUse Summer Sparkler in rain gardens, along pond and stream edges, in shaded foundation plantings, or massed as a fragrant informal hedge. It mixes well with ferns, hostas, and astilbe, and finishes the season with golden-yellow fall color.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlant from spring through early fall. Spring planting uses Minnesota's naturally moist soils, while planting six or more weeks before hard frost ensures roots establish before winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eDig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and equally deep. Set the crown level with the soil line, backfill, water deeply, and mulch 2–3 inches deep, keeping mulch off the stems.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWatering\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFirst Year:\u003c\/strong\u003e Water deeply 2–3 times weekly and keep the soil consistently moist.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAfter Year One:\u003c\/strong\u003e Water weekly and more in heat. Summersweet loves moisture and shrugs off wet soil.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDrip Irrigation:\u003c\/strong\u003e A drip line or soaker hose keeps the root zone evenly damp through the growing season.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Summer Sparkler hardy in Minnesota?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. Summersweet is rated to Zone 3 and overwinters dependably statewide.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it tolerate wet soil?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAbsolutely. It's one of the best flowering shrubs for rain gardens and damp, poorly drained spots.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it bloom in shade?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. Bloom is heaviest in sun to part shade, but it flowers in shade better than most shrubs.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it deer resistant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, deer usually pass it by.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePair Summer Sparkler with our shade and rain-garden shrubs, or browse the full Summersweet collection for compact and pink-flowering choices.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#2 Gallon","offer_id":54307008348465,"sku":null,"price":27.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/summer-sparkler-summersweet.jpg?v=1779567570","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/summer-sparkler-summersweet","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}