Clethra barbinervis 'Takeda nishiki' Variegated Japanese Clethra

Clethra barbinervis 'Takeda nishiki' 'Takeda nishiki' Variegated Japanese Clethra Zones 5-9 Full Sun/Part Shade 'Takeda nishiki' is a variegated form of Japanese Clethra found by Takeda-san on Japan's smallest main island, Shikoku. This island is mountainous with lots of hiking trails and waterfalls and is a must to visit. 'Takeda nishiki' leafs out in the early spring with bright pink variegation across a green leaf. During the mid-to-late spring the pink variegation turns to a creamy white. During the summer, white fragrant blooms will come across 'Takeda nishiki', giving even more interest to this variegated beauty. As 'Takeda nishiki' ages, the bark provides great year-round interest. The peeling bark is colored with orange-red, brown, grey, and white. I don't happen to have a photo, but you can google "Japanese clethra bark" and find many photos. In the fall, the green parts of the leaves of 'Takeda nishiki' turn to a fiery red while the white variegation turns to a bright pink. C