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Photo of Heptacodium miconioides flower by Panayoti Kelaidis

Photo by Panayoti Kelaidis

Photo of Heptacodium miconioides foliage by plant lust

Photo of Heptacodium miconioides flower, foliage by Briggs Plant Propagators

Photo of Heptacodium miconioides flower by Secret Garden Growers

Photo of Heptacodium miconioides flower by Plant Select®

Photo of Heptacodium miconioides flower by Jane Unger

Photo of Heptacodium miconioides calyx by Hoot Owl Hollow Nursery

Photo of Heptacodium miconioides flower by Hoot Owl Hollow Nursery

Photo of Heptacodium miconioides foliage by Hoot Owl Hollow Nursery

Photo of Heptacodium miconioides distinctive bark by Hoot Owl Hollow Nursery

Photo of Heptacodium miconioides by Patricia Cunningham

Photo of Heptacodium miconioides trunk by Kristine Paulus

Photo of Heptacodium miconioides flower by Kristine Paulus

Photo of Heptacodium miconioides form by Kristine Paulus

Photo of Heptacodium miconioides flower, wildlife by Evan Bean

Buy Heptacodium miconioides

Also Known As

Heptacodium jasminoides
Chinese Heptacodium
Seven Son Flower

Plant type

tree, shrub

size

H: 10'-18'
W: 7'-10'

planting zones

5a-9b

1 gallon | $49

Buy button links to nursery site for checkout

Fewer than 11 at Forestfarm

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Heptacodium miconioides plant details

Heptacodium miconioides is a fast-growing broadleaf deciduous shrub or tree with green foliage. In fall and summer white flowers emerge followed by pink, purple and red fruit. Attracts bees and butterflies making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and even moisture - regular water. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in acidic, average, clay, gritty, rich and well-drained soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Heptacodium miconioides

Plant type: shrub or tree
Plant family: caprifoliaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 7 FT - 10 FT - wide, 10 FT - 18 FT - tall
Flowers: white blooms in fall and summer
Uses: fall color, fragrant, peeling bark, showy bracts, small tree, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Heptacodium miconioides

USDA Zones: 5a - 9b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular

Soil needs: acidic, average, clay, gritty, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Introduced to the U.S. by the Arnold Arboretum, this unusual 15-20'shrub/tree makes a welcome addition to the landscape palette with its white, fragrant, late-summer flowers which are produced at a young age and are stunning contrasting the bright-green foliage, after bloom, the striking rosy-red calyces hang on into autumn, with age it develops its fabulous rough-peeling bark that is a wonderful winter sight, especially when covered in frost; this plant was once thought to be extinct, but was happily rediscovered in its native China. S/M

By: Forestfarm

Deciduous, green leaves turn purple-bronze in autumn. Clusters of creamy white flowers in late summer to fall. Fragrant, small rounded fruit with a cherry red to rose purple calyx. Exfoliating bark reveals light brown interior bark.

By: Garden World

This small tree/large shrub has a lot to offer: fast growth, interesting bark, showy flowers, colorful fruit, and decorative seed heads. Plus, once established, it is quite drought-tolerant...and there's more, folks: it provides much needed late season forage for bees! The clouds of white blooms start in late summer and last at least a month, then after the petals drop, the fuchsia calyces persist on the branches well into fall. If you choose to limb it up into a vase-shaped tree/shrub, then the attractive, tan, shaggy bark will be visible all year. It's a winner! Ultimate height of 15-20' T by 10-15' W. Minimum temperature: -20 °F.

By: Dancing Oaks Nursery

Seven Sons flower came from China in the ‘70’s. This nice large shrub will have handsome peeling tan bark. The flowers appear in late summer and look somewhat like white crepemyrtles, but H. miconioides is very hardy and an easy plant to grow.

By: Gossler Farms

A rare plant from China which was once thought to be extinct in the wild. Quite adaptable to wet or dry; acid or alkaline soils. Textured dark green leaves. Fall foliage is yellow and long lasting. Bark exfoliates in light tan strips against a chalky white background. Small fragrant creamy-white flowers are borne in profusion from mid-August to the end of September which are replaced by bright pink calyxes which persist till frost. Flowers are borne in groups of 7 on each stem, hence its name. Rose colored fruit may stay bright cerise pink or ripen to a rich purple color. Under-story plant which is an excellent companion in a shade garden.

By: Hoot Owl Hollow Nursery

First discovered in China and brought to the West by the famous plant explorer E. H. Wilson, this magnificent deciduous shrub provides unique points of interest no matter what the season. In spring, there is the foliage: large, narrowly heart-shaped, glossy and rich green, with three deep veins. Then there is the exfoliating bark, which peels in thin strips to reveal a cinnamon-brown color. Early autumn brings the showy flowers, for which the species is named: fragrant, creamy white clusters of seven flowers produced in terminal panicles. Late autumn replaces blooms with spectacular small rounded fruits, each topped with a persistent cherry red or purple calyx. Excellent as a specimen, Seven-Son Flower thrives in most garden soil.

By: Digging Dog Nursery

A cool new plant introduced from China in 1980, although Wilson found it back in 1907. Ornamental peeling Crepe Myrtle-like bark, fragrant white flowers in late summer in six flowered whorls terminated by a single flower (hence Heptocodium) followed by showy cherry red calyces surrounding the fruits, giving the impression of still being in flower in autumn when the leaves turn purple. We observed several large specimens trained as tree forms in Dale Deppe's garden this fall and were blown away by the bark. Despite what Dirr says it seems to thrive in full sun, and struggles in the shade at least in the north.

By: Arrowhead Alpines

Recently introduced from China (1980), this multi-stemmed tree bears distinctive small white flowers in panicles at the end of the branches. Exfoliating bark and red autumn seeds add to its appeal.

By: Heritage Seedlings

Heptacodium miconioides is a deciduous shrub, 10-15' tall, hardy to -20 °F. 6" long fragrant creamy white flowers in late summer, reddish pink sepals in October-November, peeling bark in winter. Also called the autumn lilac or northern crepe myrtle. Each flower stalk blooms with 7 flowers. Sun to part shade.

By: Accents for Home and Garden

Fragrant, creamy-white flowers fall, small, purplish- red fruits, exfoliating bark, USDA Zones 6-9.

By: Lael's Moon Garden

In China, Heptacodium miconoides is known as Seven-Son Flower. In the US, it is a multi-season, fast growing shrub or small tree (15-18') with fragrant white flower clusters in September, followed by equally showy red calyces. Winter interest is provided by handsome exfoliating bark. Ultimate height is about 18'. Shipping 1 gallon pots.

By: Avant Gardens

Recently introduced from China, Heptacodium has become the rage. A large arching shrub, or small tree, with glossy dark green leaves, exfoliating bark & fragrant creamy-white late summer flowers. Its best attribute is its persistent, showy, reddish-pink sepals that are effective from October to November. Beautiful bark. A great new shrub! Plants of Merit - Missouri Botanical Garden. Monarch's just love this plant and will pick it over a Buddleia. Wow!

By: Lazy S'S Farm Nursery

Lush-looking large shrub or small tree that produces masses of fragrant white flowers in late summer and equally attractive persistent cherry-red sepals in fall. Fast growing with attractive, peeling bark. Collected at Hangzhou Botanical Garden during the 1980 Sino-American Expedition, this unusual Chinese member of the honeysuckle family is very adaptable in a wide range of climates. Large shrub or small tree. Sandy soil or loam. USDA zones 4-9 (up to 7,000').

By: Plant Select®

Snow-white blossoms in large clusters, replaced by brilliant red sepals and colorful fruits. Best in partial shade. Fall foliage is reddish-purple. Brown exfoliating bark.