Japanese Clethra (Clethra barbinervis) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

Japanese clethra is an East Asian shrub or small tree grown in U.S. gardens. In summer, slightly fragrant white flowers grow in long clusters, and older bark peels away in patches, leaving a mottled trunk.

Appearance

Appearance: Older bark peels away in patches, leaving a mottled trunk.
Growth form: This deciduous shrub can grow into a small tree about 10–20 ft (3–6 m) tall.
Flowers: Slightly fragrant white flowers line up in long clusters in summer.

Look-alikes

summersweetClethra alnifolia

Both have spikes of white summer flowers. Summersweet is a North American shrub of moist sites; Japanese clethra can become a taller, small tree with conspicuously patchy bark.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: gardens
landscaped grounds
Range: It comes from East Asia and is grown in U.S. gardens.
Preferred conditions: It grows in full sun to partial shade and suits USDA zones 5–7.

Name and classification

Varieties and forms: The pale-leaved cultivar ‘Takeda Nishiki’ is sold as First Snow.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: LCLeast ConcernLow risk of extinction

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