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Clethra barbinervis

   The Japanese Sweetshrub  

By Tim Wood  All rights reserved ©  Spring Meadow Nursery, Inc.

   Clethra barbinervis - Japanese Clethra has what it takes to become a popular plant in the landscape and nursery business. The increased popularity of Clethra, is due in part to the success of Clethra alnifolia ‘Hummingbird’. This plant has opened our eyes to other cultivars and species of Clethra.  Clethra barbinervis may seem like a mouthful to pronounce (bar-bin-er-vis), but seeing a specimen in full bloom is an eye and (nose full) for all who have been fortunate enough to have experienced it.  We have been growing this plant and selling it as a liner for over two years, but it was not until I saw mature plants at the Morris Arboretum in Philadelphia that I realize what we were growing! Pure horticultural excitement!

Native to the wooded mountains of Japan and Korea, Clethra barbinervis is hardy in USDA zones 5 to 8. It is a large shrub or small tree depending upon its age and how it is cultured. The literature states this plant can reach heights of 30 feet, however, in cultivation it is more likely to  reach heights of 10 to 15 feet. The flowers are reminiscent of C. alnifolia.  Its flowers are just as fragrant as our native species, if not more so, but composed of three, 4 to 6 inch long racemes, which are slightly twisted and hang gracefully downward.  Every inch of this plant is covered with these fragrant blooms in late July to August. It normally blooms several weeks earlier than Clethra alnifolia.  Its dark green foliage sets the perfect backdrop for its pure white floral display.  Fall color is red and yellow.  Adding to it charm, Japanese Clethra has beautiful exfoliating bark as a mature plant.  Mike Dirr calls it the plants best attribute and goes on to compare its beautiful bark to that of Stewartia pseudocamellia. Yes its bark may be exquisite to those of us who enjoy crawling around under shrubbery, but it will be the flowers and fragrance that will sell this plant.  

Japanese Clethra is both easy to propagate and grow.  Softwood cuttings taken in June root easily under mist or fog.  Seeds germinate readily without any pretreatment.  Plant growth is fast when young making it an easy plant to finish and profit from in a competitive nursery environment. It is best grown in moist, well drained soils with either a neutral or acid pH. It thrives in partial shade but also seems adaptable to culture in full sun. Under heat stress Clethra alnifolia has been know to attract spider mites. Not so with this plant. It is not known to have any serious insect or disease problems.

Clethra barbinervis may not be a well know shrub to date, but it has all the attributes for commercial success: It has multi-seasonal ornamental interest with its flowers, fragrance, foliage and bark, it is easy to propagate and grow, and it provides early summer color, which is so popular today.  If you have a customer base that can appreciate Clethra alnifolia then you should be growing Clethra barbinervis.  

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