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RE: Size of Clethra alnifolia blooms?

Chris,

I grow some large groups of Clethra alnifolia and its pink variety, both in
full sun and in shade, and definitively something must be wrong with your
plant this year. Up to 6" is about the usual flower size. If you see last
year fruits are 4" long, then you have the evidency that something strange
has happened this year to your plant, probably related to the weather more
than to the soil, if leaves as you say look healthy and clean. 
For some time I had some Clethras looking healthy but with very poor
flowers (too small) in a badly drained area (in winter the plants nearly
stood in water for more than a month). When I moved tha plants, the flowers
got back to normal... Could be your plant is in a bad drained area and your
weather has been too wet lately???. Just an idea...

And, definitively, Clethras can flower very well in shade gardens... 

Jose
almand@arrakis.es
Northern Spain, zone 9, humid oceanic climate

----------
> De: Christopher P. Lindsey <lindsey@mallorn.com>
> A: woodyplants@mallorn.com
> Asunto: Size of Clethra alnifolia blooms?
> Fecha: miércoles 20 de agosto de 1997 22:59
> 
> Does anyone here have any experiences with Clethra alnifolia?  The one
> that I have seems to be of the 'Rosea' variety (tinged with pink, 
> especially when opening).
> 
> I'm concerned about the bloom size on my plant.  This is the first year
> that I've ever seen it actually bloom (I've always been out of town
before),
> but the panicles are only about 1" long.  The dried capsules from last
> year that are still there look to be about 4" long, so I'm wondering
> what's going on. 
> 
> It's been getting regular watering, but _is_ in a shady spot (receiving 
> maybe 2 hours of early morning sun).  It's been in this same location for
> about 3.5 years now, so I'm not convinced that sun has anything to do
> with it (and besides, Clethra is supposed to like shade!)
> 
> The foliage looks very clean and healthy, and a few suckers have
> come up around the base.  Any ideas what's wrong?
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Chris
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