Mexican Clethra
Clethra pringlei
Pickup currently unavailable at Aiken Nursery
Most of the summersweets drop their leaves and sleep through winter; Clethra pringlei keeps them. This Mexican member of the clan is a broad-leaved evergreen, a large, slow-growing shrub or small tree from the mountain woodlands of northeastern Mexico, and one of the more surprising plants in the genus for a gardener who knows only the deciduous American kinds.
The Mexican clethra was brought into cultivation by the plant explorers at Yucca-Do Nursery in Texas, and remains a relatively new and little-known introduction. The broad, fleshy, elliptic leaves, toothed toward the tip, emerge a warm bronze and settle to deep glossy green, holding the plant handsome the year round. In summer come the long racemes of white flowers, carrying a distinctive cinnamon fragrance rather than the honey-clove of the northern summersweets, a scent worth planting for on its own.
Rare and a touch tender, the Mexican clethra is a plant for the adventuresome southern gardener in zones 8 to 10, best given a warm, sheltered site in full sun to part shade where the new wood can ripen before winter and the evergreen frame is spared the hardest freezes. Site where the cinnamon-scented racemes can be met at close range, in a courtyard, a sheltered border, or the heart of a collector's bed, and pair with other broadleaf evergreens that share the taste for warmth.
- Hardiness
- USDA Zones 8–10
- Sun
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Soil
- Moist, Well-drained
- Mature size
- Height 8–12 Feet · Spread 4–6 Feet
- Growth rate
- Slow to Moderate
- Seasonality
- Evergreen
White, cinnamon-scented, long racemes, summer
From rooting to shipping, our top priority is ensuring you receive healthy, thriving plants for your garden’s success.
Because most of our plants are grown from rooted cuttings — alongside seed, air layering, and grafting chosen for each variety — you receive a stronger, true-to-type plant that establishes quickly in your garden.
Raised on organic soil blends and eco-friendly pest management — never harsh chemicals — your plant arrives healthy for your garden, your family, and the pollinators they feed.
Every purchase gives back. We donate to the Aiken Arboretum and support local wildlife conservation, so growing your garden helps protect the wider ecosystem too.
All our plant material is carefully propagated, grown, and nurtured at our humble nursery in Aiken, South Carolina.
Your plant arrives carefully packed and ready to settle in. Unpack them promptly, give them a day or two to acclimate, then plant following the notes we include — that’s all it takes. Clear care guidance comes with every order, so success is the easy part.
What to expect upon delivery
All our plants are sold in 1-gallon sizes, though the height of each plant can vary depending on its growth rate and seasonality, typically ranging from 1/2 to 2.5 feet.
Each plant is carefully packaged with its roots enclosed in a secure plastic bag containing moist soil, forming a compact root ball. To ensure safe transport, the box is padded with recycled newspaper, providing both stability and eco-friendly protection from weather during shipping.
What is your return policy?
Review our full return policy information on our SHIPPING AND RETURNS POLICY page.
What payment methods can I use?
We offer 35 different payment methods including major providers like Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, American Express and Diners as well as many different local payment methods including Klarna, iDEAL, AliPay, Sofort, giropay, and many more.
Can I make changes to my order after it’s been placed?
At Woodlanders, we strive to fulfill orders as quickly as possible. Therefore, we can only accommodate changes to your order within the first 24 hours after it has been placed. These changes include adding or removing products and modifying the delivery address. If you need to make any changes or if there has been a mistake with your order information, please reach out to us promptly via our CONTACT page with your order number for the quickest resolution.
Your satisfaction is our priority, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation.