Summersweet is a slender, upright, deciduous shrub which typically grows 3 to 8 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide. It features fluffy, bottle brush-like, terminal, 3 to 6-inch spikes of extremely fragrant white flowers which bloom on current season's growth for in mid to late summer. Foliage is serrated, glossy, and dark green, turning to a striking yellow in autumn. Flower spikes give way to spikes of dark brown seed capsules which persist into winter and provide continuing interest. Flowers are very attractive to butterflies and bees. A good choice for a rain garden.
Grow in a loamy, rich, well drained to slightly wettish soil in full sun to part shade; in our hot summers it will require less water in part shade. Tolerates full shade, though it may reduce flowering.