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Heptacodium miconioides

Image of Heptacodium miconioides

Russell Stafford

Family

Caprifoliaceae

Botanical Name

Heptacodium miconioides

Plant Common Name

Seven-son Flower

General Description

With elongated heart-shaped leaves, wispy white flowers and beautiful bark, seven-son flower is a large shrub with year 'round interest. This native of east-central China is normally multi-stemmed with a graceful, arching habit. In late summer, its fragrant white flowers crowd the branch tips in clusters of seven (hence its common name), lingering into autumn. After the flower petals drop the persistent rosy-pink sepals take center stage, providing an autumn show. In winter attention shifts to the exfoliating beige and brown bark, which gleams in the landscape.

Seven-son flower does best in fertile, acidic, well drained soil, but accepts less. Best in full sun, it also succeeds in dappled shade. It can be maintained as a large shrub or as a multi-trunked or single-stemmed small tree. Use it as a focal specimen or mixed border feature, or to soften the lines of a building corner.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    9 - 4

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    5 - 9

  • Sunset Zone

    2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 14, 15, 16, 17

  • Plant Type

    Shrub

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    15'-20' / 4.6m - 6.1m

  • Width

    8'-10' / 2.4m - 3.0m

  • Bloom Time

    Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall, Late Fall

  • Native To

    China

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Average

  • Soil type

    Clay, Loam, Sand

  • Tolerances

    Drought

  • Growth Rate

    Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Drought Tolerant, Average Water

  • Habit

    Arching/Fountain-shaped

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    White

  • Fruit Color

    Purple

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Light Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Green, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Green, Pink

  • Bark Color

    Tan, Brown

  • Fragrant Flowers

    Yes

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    Yes

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Glossy

  • Evergreen

    No

  • Showy Bark

    Yes

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Exfoliating

  • Usage

    Feature Plant, Foundation, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Birds

  • Self-Sowing

    No