Clethera/Summersweet – Hummingbird

A stunning North American native, ‘Sixteen Candles’ Summersweet—also known as Sweet Pepper Bush—is cherished for its upright, bottlebrush-like spikes of pure white, fragrant flowers that fill the air with a sweet, cotton candy-like scent. While the flowers aren’t edible, they are a magnet for hummingbirds, butterflies, and beneficial pollinators.

This versatile, low-maintenance shrub thrives in sun or shade and tolerates a range of soils, from moist to boggy conditions. As summer fades, its lush green foliage transforms into brilliant yellow, providing multi-season interest in the landscape. Resistant to pests and diseases, ‘Sixteen Candles’ remains compact, reaching just 4 feet tall and 3–4 feet wide, making it an excellent choice for smaller garden spaces.