Clethra (Clethraceae) BSWJ11562

barbinervis

From one of our seed collections gathered on a memorable day in the high mountains of Ehime on Shikoku island Japan in the autumn of 2006. An adaptable well branched shrub, eventually forming a stunning small tree with a wonderfully ornamental exfoliating bark. Bearing oblanceolate leaves and long more or less drooping racemes of white scented flowers July-August, which develop to long slender catkin-like racemes of seed as the leaves change to red and yellow in the autumn. Best cultivated in an acidic moisture retentive soil in full sun to part shade.