Clethra alnifolia.

Planting Advice for Clethra

• Grow in full sun to partial shade - plants will even tolerate full shade.
• Prefers moist, well drained soil that is on the acidic side.
• Dig a planting hole 3 x wider than the roots of the shrub you're planting and mix some well-rotted compost or manure with the soil from the hole and use this to re-fill once the shrub is in place.
• We've found that a square hole is better than a round one as the new roots, once they reach the edges tend to grow in a circle round the circumference of the hole whereas when they reach the corners of a square hole, they find it easier to grow through.
• Before planting soak container-grown shrubs thoroughly and allow to drain.
• Remove the plant from its pot and tease out a few of the roots and add Mycorrhizal fungi to the roots when planting to help plants establish quicker.
• Place your shrub in the hole at the same level at the pot then refill the hole with the earth removed (backfilling).
• Firm in the soil with your heel, avoiding the root ball, and water well.

Aftercare advice for Clethra

• Keep plants well-watered until established.

Pruning Advice for Clethra

• Prune only to remove diseased and damaged parts of the shrub.
• Remove root suckers to prevent unwanted spread.