About Clethra barbinervis Siebold & Zucc.
Clethra barbinervis, commonly known as Japanese clethra, is a flowering plant species belonging to the family Clethraceae. It is native to eastern Asia, specifically occurring in southern China, Korea, and Japan. Its natural habitat is open mountain forests. It is a common species across Japan, and it is frequently found in disturbed secondary forests. It is an upright shrub that reaches a height of 3 m (9.8 ft). It produces deciduous dark green leaves that grow up to 5 cm (2 in) long. Racemes of small, fragrant white flowers, which measure 15 cm (6 in) in total length, bloom in late summer and autumn. Mature individuals of this species have peeling bark. The bark is plain blackish brown, with new twigs developing from the older growth. This plant has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. While it is hardy in cultivation, it needs a sheltered growing location when grown in temperate regions.
