Searching for a unique specimen plant to serve as a conversation piece for years to come? If so, Seven-Sons Flower Tree is ready to serve. During spring, Seven-Sons’ lustrous, cordate, emerald-colored leaves unfurl. Then in summer, charming clusters of delicate, fragrant, white florets begin to bloom. During fall, the continuous wash of white florets morph into dramatic purple fruit surrounded by magenta sepals. Finally in winter, this perennial’s outer beige bark now exposes darker caramel-colored strips underneath after exfoliating its summer coat. With so much interest all year long, your family, friends, and neighbors will all be talking about your new tree! Seven-Sons Flower Tree is also known as Heptacodium miconioides and Autumn Lilac.
Reaching a maximum height of 15 to 20 feet and spread of 8 to 10 feet, Seven-Sons can act as either a shrub or tree depending on how you choose to train it. Growing upright, this fast-growing deciduous tree is rabbit resistant. An original from China, this conversation piece is easy to grow and adaptable to many conditions. With its color, fragrance, and unique bark, this ornamental tree/shrub is superb for a busy person who wants to add something special to a landscape.
Seven-Sons Flower Tree Care
Seven-Sons Flower Tree does best in full sun. Choose a spot that is moist, slightly acidic to neutral, and drains well. Plant this ornamental during the spring. Apply a 2-3-inch ring of mulch around the base of the tree to prevent water loss. Regularly water this tree until it is established. To encourage growth and production of flowers, water during times of drought. A low-maintenance perennial, this tree does not typically require fertilizer if grown in fertile soil. In poor soil, add a liquid fertilizer that has a higher amount of nitrogen such as a 3-1-1 formula during the spring.
Prune Seven-Sons Flower Tree for form in late winter before it establishes buds. Trim any diseased, damaged, or dead limbs as well to encourage growth and avert disease.
Seven-Sons Flower Tree Spacing
Keep the conversation going with Seven-Sons Flower Tree. Planted as a specimen in the front or back yard, this ornamental adds height, color, movement, and texture. Companion plants include asters, daffodils, geraniums, impatiens, and violets. Pruned to maintain a smaller size, this ornamental can also be grown in a container as a thriller adding charm to patios.
Seven-Sons Flower Tree Information
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 – 9
Plant Type: Trees
Light Exposure: Full Sun (At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)
Mature Height: 15 – 20 Feet
Mature Spread: 8 – 10 Feet
Spacing: 8 – 10 Feet
Habit: Upright
Flower Color(s): Red, White
Flower Description:
Bloom Period: Summer Through Fall
Foliage Type: Deciduous
Foliage Color(s): Green
Foliage Description: Deep Green
Seasonal Interest: Summer Flowering, Fall Flowering, Fall Interest, Winter Interest, 4 Season Interest
