Clethra delavayi seeds (Delavay Summersweet)

Description

A lovely highly scented flowering shrub whose vanilla/anise scent brings another layer of depth to the garden in late summer. From new growth, racemes bearing pink spherical buds open to reveal white bell-like orb flowers in great abundance. Dark green lance like leaves. Not a big shrub and is best tucked into semi shade with humus rich soils. A great pollen and nectar plant for the beneficial insects when very little else is blooming that time of year.

• Seed Count: 20-25
• Collection Date: Dec 2018
• Hardiness Zone: 7-10
• Height and Width: 5m x 5m
• Germination test type: hand sort
• Family:  Clethraceae

How to germinate Clethra delavayi seeds:

No pre-germination treatments required. Surface sow; spreading seeds thinly over the prepared medium surface. Gently tamp seed into soil surface and mist. Seed needs light to germinate so don’t cover seed with medium. A clear plastic cover to maintain humidity will greatly enhance germination and seedling survival. Give indirect light. Germinate at 25C. Medium should be humus rich and well draining. Should germinate quickly. Don’t let seedlings dry out as this is fatal until a better root system is formed after the 4th true leaf stage then gradually expose to normal conditions…that is wean them off the clear plastic cover.