Heptacodium miconioides
Seven-son Flower

Family:

Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle Family) 22

Genus:

Heptacodium (Seven-Son Flower Flower, Seven-Son Seven-Sons Plant Plant, Seven-Sons) 1

Plant Type:

Tree 556

Growth Forms:

Upright 537

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 5 233

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Deciduous 792

Flower Notes:

Cream (Summer; creamy-white tiered seven-flowered whorls appear, not opening fully until September)

Foliage Notes:

Green (Spring); Purple (Fall; rose-purple)

Fruit Notes:

Red (Small red-violet fruits are surrounded by showy pink-red calyces resembling flowers)

Ultimate Height:

20 feet

Ultimate Spread:

14 feet

Light Requirements:

Soil Notes:

Well-watered organic soil is best, but adaptable

Diagnostic Characteristics:

Leaves (3-6" long by 2-2.25" wide) are simple, opposite with rounded to truncate base and entire margins. There are three distinct, somewhat parallel veins running down the center of the leaf.

Special Characteristics:

Flowering Characteristics 358

Fruiting Characteristics 158

Border 367

Specimen 598

Notable Bark 161

Additional Information

The common name, Seven-Son Flower, is derived from the cluster of 7 small flowers contained within each whorl. The flowers are followed by very showy, reddish fruit structures that have the appearance of flowers. The tan, shredding bark is attractive and exfoliates in long strips to reveal a dark brown inner bark. This plant can be hard to find, both in the wild and in commerce. Needs pruning to maintain aesthetics.