General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit: Shrub
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Preferences: Wet
Wet Mesic
Mesic
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 4a -34.4 °C (-30 °F) to -31.7 °C (-25 °F)
Maximum recommended zone: Zone 9b
Plant Height: 4-5ft
Plant Spread: 2-3ft
Leaves: Good fall color
Unusual foliage color
Deciduous
Other: Toothed, ovate-oblong, glossy dark green leaves (to 4" long) turn a variable but generally attractive yellow/golden brown in fall.
Flowers: Showy
Fragrant
Flower Color: Other: Creamy white
Flower Time: Other: July to August
Suitable Locations: Alpine Gardening
Uses: Provides winter interest
Erosion control
Water gardens
Wildlife Attractant: Bees
Butterflies
Pollinators: Bees

Image
Common names
  • Summersweet
  • Sixteen Candles
  • Dwarf Summersweet

Photo Gallery

photo by: David J. Stang
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Date: 2019-01-13
three shrubs in winter with clusters of dry capsules

photo by: David J. Stang
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Date: 2018-07-20
plants in bloom
Location: Coatesville, Pennsylvania
Date: 2011-07-15
a young plant beginning to bloom
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Date: 2018-07-20
two shrubs in bloom
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Date: 2018-07-20
three shrubs in bloom
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Date: 2018-07-20
close-up of flower clusters and foliage
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Date: 2018-07-20
top of plant
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Date: 2018-07-20
bumblebee on flowers
Location: Coatesville, Pennsylvania
Date: 2011-07-15
three young plants
Location: Coatesville, Pennsylvania
Date: 2011-07-15
foliage and flowers beginning to bloom
Comments:
  • Posted by ILPARW (southeast Pennsylvania - Zone 6b) on Nov 30, 2017 8:31 PM concerning plant:
    'Sixteen Candles' is a new cultivar that is a dwarf, bushy selection. It bears good-sized flower spikes about 6 inches long for 4 to 6 weeks in mid-summer. It has a sturdy branching habit and does not droop over as 'Hummingbird' can. Many nurseries prefer 'Sixteen Candles to 'Hummingbird' because of its neater, more upright habit.
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pinetastic On September 19, 2021 Obtained plant
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