Clethra barbinervis Great Star ('Minbarb')

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Japanese clethra [Great Star]

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Synonyms

Clethra barbinervis 'Minbarb'

Shrubs
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An upright, deciduous shrub to 2m tall, with peeling bark when mature and dark green leaves that turn yellow and red in autumn. In late summer it produces small, white fragrant flowers in slender, arching spikes to 15cm long. Grow in a shady border or woodland garden

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height
1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H5

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Clethraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Clethra can be deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs, sometimes with attractive bark, with simple leaves and small, fragrant, usually white, bell-shaped flowers in racemes or panicles
Name Status
Trade

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained acidic soil in partial or dappled shade

Propagation

Propagate by sowing seed in containers outdoors in spring or autumn. Take greenwood cuttings in early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

See pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free