Clethra barbinervis is a species of flowering plant in the genus Clethra of the family Clethraceae, native to the far east, from eastern China, Korea, and Japan. It is an upright shrub growing to 3 metres (9.8 ft), with dark green leaves 5 cm (2 in) long, and racemes of small, fragrant, white flowers 15 cm (6 in) long in late summer and autumn. Mature specimens have attractive peeling bark. Though hardy, it requires a sheltered location in temperate regions. This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.