Planetagarden
Unusual peeling bark. Small, fragrant white flowers are followed by showy bright red calyx in fall.
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Heptacodium miconioides.
| Lore | This shrub is a good source of nectar for butterflies in the fall. |
|---|---|
| Average Size at Maturity | Fast growing upright shrub to 20 feet tall, 10 to 15 feet wide. |
| Bloom Time | Late Summer to Fall |
- When should I prune my seven sons tree?
- How fast does heptacodium grow?
- Is heptacodium deer resistant?
When should I prune my seven sons tree?
Seven son flower doesn't require much pruning, but you can prune lightly to remove wayward growth in late winter or early spring. You can also prune to create a single-trunk tree or keep multiple trunks for a natural looking shrub shape. Remove suckers until the main stem is well established.
How fast does heptacodium grow?
Also a fast growing plant, 18-36" a year. There might be some die-back (never severe) but that is common with any shrub or tree that grows late into the season.
Is heptacodium deer resistant?
Other big plusses: Heptacodium is deer resistant, and the butterflies and bees absolutely love the blossoms. Provide it with lots of sunshine. Pruned as a small tree it can be the focal point of a small garden, or planted en masse it would make a showy hedge. It's perfectly hardy in zones 5-8.
