Heptacodium miconioides

Seven son flower is a fascinating shrub that was first found in China by Ernest H.Wilson more than a hundred years ago, in 1907. Still, it took almost 80 years before this plant was cultivated commercially.

Seven son flower is a large shrub or a small tree with 3 predominant features. Leaves, inflorescence, and bark. In spring it makes medium-sized 7-10 cm long, ovate, deciduous leaves with prominent 3 veins. The leaves are opposite and hang on the tree like dogwood or pear tree leaves. They are light green when they emerge, maturing to dark green, and gaining some red shades in autumn but not very striking.

From late summer until late autumn panicles of tiny, creamy white, fragrant flowers are produced at the tips of the branches. They are nice but not as showy as their calyxes which appear after the flowers fell off. They are star-shaped and turn scarlet red and reddish pink making this plant an ultimate showstopper in late season.

The last feature that gets its word in last is the peeling bark leaving a smooth, tan or light brown trunk.

Seven son flower grows fast, making some 50 cm or more per year. It can be pruned in any way in early spring. Being very soil tolerant it will grow in poor or even heavy, compacted soil. It allegedly does well in partly boggy sites. Still, for best results grow it in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or part shade. Hardy to about -27°C (USDA zone 5b).

Last update: 25-06-2012