{"product_id":"vanilla-spice-summersweet","title":"Vanilla Spice Summersweet","description":"\u003ch1\u003eExtra-Large Fragrant Blooms for Shade and Wet Soil\u003c\/h1\u003e\u003cp\u003eVanilla Spice Summersweet (\u003cem\u003eClethra alnifolia\u003c\/em\u003e 'Vanilla Spice') takes the beloved native summersweet and supersizes it, with flower spikes nearly twice the size of the standard species. In mid to late summer the whole shrub is covered in long, pure-white candles that pour out a warm, vanilla-sweet fragrance and hum with butterflies and bees. It's a standout for the moist, shaded spots where Maple Grove, Woodbury, and Edina gardeners struggle to get reliable late-season color.\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\n\u003cem\u003eClethra alnifolia\u003c\/em\u003e 'Vanilla Spice'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–6 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\u003eLarge, fragrant 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\u003eVanilla Spice makes a showy fragrant hedge, anchors a rain garden, and fills shaded foundation beds and woodland edges with scent. Plant it near patios and walkways where the fragrance can be enjoyed, and pair it with hostas, ferns, and astilbe. Foliage turns golden-yellow in fall.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlant from spring through early fall. Spring takes advantage of Minnesota's moist soils, and planting six or more weeks before hard frost lets 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 just as deep. Set the crown level with the soil surface, 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 per week and keep the soil consistently moist.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAfter Year One:\u003c\/strong\u003e Water weekly, more in heat. It loves moisture and tolerates wet soil with ease.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDrip Irrigation:\u003c\/strong\u003e A drip line or soaker hose keeps the root zone evenly moist all summer.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow is Vanilla Spice different from other summersweets?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIts individual flowers and spikes are noticeably larger than the species, giving a bolder, more fragrant display on a full-size shrub.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it hardy in Minnesota?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, it's rated to Zone 3 and overwinters reliably statewide.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it grow in wet soil and shade?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes to both. It's one of the best fragrant shrubs for damp, shaded spots and rain gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it deer resistant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, deer generally avoid summersweet.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePair Vanilla Spice with our compact Crystalina and Hummingbird summersweets for a layered fragrant border, or browse our shade and rain-garden shrubs.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#2 Gallon","offer_id":54306860826929,"sku":null,"price":35.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/vanilla-spice-summersweet.jpg?v=1779567569","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/vanilla-spice-summersweet","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}