Seven Son Flower

Scientific Name: Heptacodium miconioides

Family: Caprifoliaceae

Origin: China

Seven Son Flower
Seven Son Flower
Seven Son Flowers in Late Summer
Seven Son Flowers in Late Summer

Why is it called Seven Son Flower? The small white flowers on this tree grow in clusters of seven.  The tree name is translated from Chinese.

Mature Height: 15-20 feet

Mature Width/Spread: 10-15 feet wide

Leaves: Opposite, dark green heart-shaped leaves 3-4 inches long and 2 inches wide.

Flowers?  Yes. This tree develops white flowers towards the end of summer, and once the flower petals fall off, the pink sepals still remain on the tree, making it appear as though there are pink flowers in place of the white ones.

Bark: light tan color, papery and thin, and exfoliates in sheets or strips

Did you know …

  • The flower blooms have a fragrance and attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
  • This tree was first discovered in China in 1907 by Ernest Wilson, a British plant collector.
  • It is a member of the Honeysuckle family.
Mature Spring Foliage
Mature Spring Foliage
Characteristic Peeling Bark
Characteristic Peeling Bark

Sources

https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=k450

https://www.mortonarb.org/trees-plants/tree-plant-descriptions/seven-son-flower

https://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/2554/seven-son-flower/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heptacodium

Photo Credit

Public Domain

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