Heptacodium miconioides

Seven-Son Flower

Heptacodium miconioides, commonly called Seven-Son Flower, is a large deciduous shrub or small tree valued for its multi-season interest. It forms an upright, vase-shaped habit with glossy green foliage that turns yellow in fall. In late summer to early fall, fragrant creamy-white flowers appear in clusters of seven, followed by showy rosy-red calyces that persist and provide striking fall color. As the plant matures, the bark exfoliates to reveal attractive tan to brown peeling bark for winter interest.

Type: Deciduous shrub / small tree

Mature Size:
Width: 8–12 ft
Height: 15–20 ft (can reach 20–25 ft over time)
(10-year size: typically 12–15 ft tall)

USDA Zones: 5a–8b
Form: Upright, vase-shaped; multi-stem or trained single trunk
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Well-drained soils; adaptable to clay and loam
Water: Moderate; drought tolerant once established

Wildlife: Attracts bees and butterflies; valuable late-season nectar source


Features & Landscape Uses


Fragrant late-summer white blooms



Showy red calyces after flowering



Exfoliating bark for winter interest



Excellent specimen or small tree for four-season appeal




Care
Low-maintenance. Plant in full sun for best flowering and fall color. Prune in late winter to shape or train to a single trunk if desired. Remove suckers if maintaining tree form. Generally pest and disease resistant.

Plant type

Perennial

Height

15'

Width

8-10'

Hardiness zones

5–9

Sunlight

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Growth rate

Fast

Bloom time

Early Fall, Fall, Late Fall, Late Summer

Flower color

Dark Pink, White

Leaf color

Green

Fall color

Yellow Green

Attracts

Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds

Soil

Average, Highly Adaptable, Well Drained

Landscape use

Foundation

Shape

Arching, Clumping

Bark

Exfoliating

Fragrant

Yes

Deer resistant

Yes

Drought tolerant

Yes