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What shrub is this #867921

Asked May 10, 2024, 3:46 PM EDT

Can you help identify this shrub?  I think it is deciduous and was in flower in early July in a local zone 7B garden.  The leaves appear to be opposite. The flowers resemble a Clethra, but I don't remember the flowers being scented.  I'm stumped.  Thanks for your help with this question.

Montgomery County Maryland

Expert Response

We agree that this shrub looks like a Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia). In the photo, the blooms appear to be past peak and developing seed already, which would explain why there was no scent. July is a typical flowering period for this species (and some varieties even bloom later, into August or even very early September), but perhaps this individual bloomed on the early side, either due to its genetics or the weather that year.

Miri
Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied May 10, 2024, 4:19 PM EDT

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