Vanilla Spice Summersweet
Vanilla Spice Summersweet
Extra-Large Fragrant Blooms for Shade and Wet Soil
Vanilla Spice Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia '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.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Clethra alnifolia 'Vanilla Spice' |
| Mature Size | 3–6 ft tall and wide |
| Hardiness Zone | Zone 3–9 (fully hardy across Minnesota) |
| Light | Full sun to part shade; tolerates shade |
| Bloom Time | Mid to late summer (July–August) |
| Flower Color | Large, fragrant white spikes |
| Soil | Moist to wet; tolerates clay and poor drainage |
Landscape Uses
Vanilla 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.
Best Time to Plant
Plant 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.
How to Plant
Dig 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.
Watering
First Year: Water deeply 2–3 times per week and keep the soil consistently moist.
After Year One: Water weekly, more in heat. It loves moisture and tolerates wet soil with ease.
Drip Irrigation: A drip line or soaker hose keeps the root zone evenly moist all summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Vanilla Spice different from other summersweets?
Its individual flowers and spikes are noticeably larger than the species, giving a bolder, more fragrant display on a full-size shrub.
Is it hardy in Minnesota?
Yes, it's rated to Zone 3 and overwinters reliably statewide.
Will it grow in wet soil and shade?
Yes to both. It's one of the best fragrant shrubs for damp, shaded spots and rain gardens.
Is it deer resistant?
Yes, deer generally avoid summersweet.
You May Also Like
Pair Vanilla Spice with our compact Crystalina and Hummingbird summersweets for a layered fragrant border, or browse our shade and rain-garden shrubs.