Mexican Clethra

A quite rare and rather tender shrub from NE Mexico, Clethra pringlei is a large, slow-growing, broad-leaved evergreen shrub or small tree. The broad, fleshy leaves emerge bronze, gradually turning deep green. Long, showy racemes of white, sometimes pink, blossom, strongly scented of cinnamon and attractive to butterflies, appear in summer. Mexican clethra must have lime-free soil, and as it is both large and half-hardy, it can be quite challenging to grow, especially in colder areas.

Site: Sheltered
Soils: Consistently moist but well-drained, acidic soil
Position: Sun or partial shade
Season of interest: All year
Hardiness: Half-hardy
Height to 12 (3.6m) Spread to 7 (2m)