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CLETHRA alnifolia 'Sixteen Candles' |
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Description: We have been trying to acquire this plant ever since we first heard of it. Mike Dirr tells its history: "Bonnie (Dirr) and I use both Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice' and 'Hummingbird' in the garden and were rewarded with solid performance in the early years. With age, 'Hummingbird' flopped, the flowers splayed, and the entire plant begged for grooming. Bonnie gave me the removal signal, but before demolition, [we collected and sowed seeds], with 260 seedlings raised to flowering. The goal was simple: find a strongly and densely branched seedling with leathery lustrous dark green foliage and large upright flowers (no bending, folding, splaying). Two appeared exceptional, with one holding the flowers upright like candles on a birthday cake, [thus, the name]. Now 7 years old, the plant measures 30 inches high and 42 inches wide, a dense mound of foliage and stems. Flowers range from 4 to 6 inches long, open late June into July and, without equivocation, are spectacular. The spent inflorescences remain upright through the winter." | ||||
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Plant Facts... Plant Type: Deciduous Shrub Growing Zones: 5 - 8 Sun Exposure: Full Sun/Partial Shade Hardy To: -15°F Soil Moisture: Moist, well-drained Bloom Season: Late Midseason (June) Foliage Color: Dark Green Habit: Mound Width: (at 10 years) 42 - 48 in. Height: (at 10 years) 30 - 36 in. |