'Little Henry' might work. There is also at least one dwarf clethra available.

For me, clethra blooms much later (in the summer) than itea (late spring bloomer). So if you'd rather have the fragrant blooms of clethra in the summer (patio season?), that might be the right one. As bboy says, there are dwarf choices for each.

Both plants attact large numbers of bees, something I consider a plus for the gardens and the ecology in general, but if bees are a problem for you, then you won't want these plants.

I have both Itea 'Little Henry' and Clethra 'Ruby Spice'. I find the fragrance of the Clethra more dramatic but find the fall foliage of 'Little Henry' one of the best fall foliage plants. I have a grouping of Little Henry Sweetspire right near my patio and love it. The foliage is a nice bright green in summer.

As noted by others it depends on your preferred features.

Here is a link that might be useful: Little Henry in fall

I have clethra in sun here in Georgia and it does fine and flowers heavily. In a partial shade spot, another clethra does not flower nearly as well.

Lots of good points here on things to consider. Let us know what you decide. About the bees, well anything with flowers will have bees temporarily. My ilex cornuta shrubs (trees?) are just awful for about a week each year thanks to the bees.

You say to plant "around" the patio, does that mean you are looking at planting several? If so, and the site is suitable, maybe do a mixed planting. That way you get blooms and fragrance at different points of the summer, and the great fall foliage of the sweetspire.

Wow, So much info. Thanks. I'm printing it all off so I can refer to it.
Tammy

hoyess-lovely blog!