Clethra delavayi Franch.
A large deciduous shrub to 4m tall, with arching shoots and blue-green leaves to 15cm long. Dense, horizontally held spikes of cup-shaped, fragrant white flowers are produced in midsummer
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Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
AcidColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Clethraceae
- Native to the UK
- 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
Correct
- Plant range
- W. China
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained acidic soil in partial or dappled shade; a woodland garden is ideal
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
Get involved
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