Summer Sweet / Sweet Pepper Bush

Plant in spring or fall in moist, well-drained to wet, acidic soil in partial shade, spacing 4–6 feet apart. Summersweet is a native shrub that adapts to wet soils, clay, and acid conditions — one of the most versatile native shrubs for moist, difficult sites. Dig the planting hole to the depth of the root ball, amend lightly with compost, and water well. Mulch well to retain moisture.

Prune in early spring to remove dead wood and lightly shape. Summersweet blooms on new wood, so spring pruning does not reduce flowering. The intensely fragrant white or pink flower spikes in midsummer attract butterflies and bees. Excellent fall foliage color. Fertilize lightly in spring. An outstanding, fragrant native shrub for moist, shaded, or difficult wet areas. Spreads gradually by suckers to form a colony.