Sixteen Candles Summersweet 1 Live Plant – Clethra alnifolia ‘Sixteen Candles’ – 3 Gallon Pot

Sixteen Candles Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia ‘Sixteen Candles’) is a compact, deciduous flowering shrub prized for its exceptionally fragrant, creamy-white blossoms and attractive seasonal foliage. During summer, numerous upright, candle-like flower spikes rise above the lustrous dark green leaves, creating an elegant floral display. The sweet fragrance makes this selection especially appealing near patios, walkways, and outdoor seating areas.

Unlike selections with more arching flower clusters, ‘Sixteen Candles’ is known for its distinctly upright floral spikes and naturally compact, rounded growth habit. The creamy-white flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. As autumn approaches, the glossy green foliage transitions to bright yellow and gold, providing additional seasonal interest.

Supplied as one live Sixteen Candles Summersweet in a 3 gallon nursery pot, this plant measures approximately 15 inches tall at the time of shipping. This North American native shrub selection generally performs best in full sun to partial shade and moist, acidic, organically rich soil. It is suitable for pollinator gardens, woodland borders, foundation plantings, rain gardens, and mixed shrub landscapes.

Plant Quantity: 1 Live Plant

Pot Size: 3 Gallon Pot

Shipping Height: Approx. 15 inches tall at time of shipping.

Common Name: Sixteen Candles Summersweet

Other Common Names: Sixteen Candles Sweet Pepperbush, Summersweet Clethra

Scientific Name: Clethra alnifolia ‘Sixteen Candles’

Cultivar: Sixteen Candles

Supplier Code: G3 15″

Plant Form: Live Potted Flowering Shrub

Plant Type: Deciduous Ornamental Shrub

Flower Color: Creamy white

Flower Fragrance: Strongly fragrant

Bloom Season: Summer, typically July–August

Foliage Color: Dark green, turning bright yellow to gold in fall

Growth Habit: Compact, dense, rounded

Primary Ornamental Features: Upright fragrant flower spikes and golden fall foliage

Plant Condition Disclosure:

Live plants may be shipped dormant, leafless, recently pruned, bare root, or partially defoliated depending on season, weather, and shipping requirements.

Natural variation in size, branching, foliage density, color, root structure, and overall appearance should be expected.

Important Note:

You will receive a live starter plant (seedling/young plant). Listing photos show the plant at a mature stage for reference only. The actual plant size, shape, and appearance may vary and will be significantly smaller than the images shown.

• Common Name: Sixteen Candles Summersweet

• Scientific Name: Clethra alnifolia ‘Sixteen Candles’

• Plant Quantity: 1 live plant

• Pot Size: 3 Gallon Pot

• Shipping Height: Approx. 15 inches tall at time of shipping.

• Supplier Code: G3 15″

• Plant Form: Live potted flowering shrub

• Plant Type: Deciduous ornamental shrub

• Plant Family: Clethraceae

• Life Cycle: Perennial

• Flower Color: Creamy white

• Flower Shape: Upright, candle-like spikes

• Flower Fragrance: Strongly fragrant

• Bloom Season: Summer

• Foliage Color: Lustrous dark green

• Fall Foliage: Bright yellow to gold

• Growth Habit: Compact, dense, rounded

• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade

• USDA Hardiness Zones: Generally 4–9

• Soil Preference: Moist, acidic, organically rich soil

• Water Requirements: Moderate to high; consistent moisture preferred

• Pollinator Interest: Attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators

• Native Plant Connection: Cultivar of a North American native species

• Landscape Uses: Pollinator gardens, woodland borders, rain gardens, foundation plantings

• Container Suitable: Yes, with adequate moisture and drainage

• Seasonal Appearance: Deciduous; may ship dormant or leafless

• Primary Ornamental Features: Fragrant white flower spikes and golden autumn foliage

One live Sixteen Candles Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia ‘Sixteen Candles’), natural woody stems, foliage when in season, root system, growing medium, and 3 gallon nursery pot.

Pot Size: 3 Gallon Pot

Shipping Height: Approx. 15 inches tall at time of shipping.

Plant Form: Live Potted Deciduous Shrub

Supplier Code: G3 15″

Plant Condition: Live deciduous shrub; seasonal leaf loss, pruning, and dormancy may affect appearance.