Sunny Ray's Nursery, LLC.

Heptacodium miconoides                                                              Seven-Son Flower

 Size:  10’ X 8’

 Exposure:  Full Sun

 Flower Time:  July to August

 Ornamental Characteristics:

 What isn’t ornamental about this plant?  The clean, medium green foliage adorns this beauty all season long with virtually no ailments.  Then, as the Dog Days smack us aside the head with heat and humidity, the white, crepe myrtlesce (I made that word up) flowers terminate every branch.  Its arching branch habit permits the blooms to be displayed for the world to see and absorb the cool, refreshing ambiance radiating outward.  As the blooms decline, the second act of the Heptacodium play begins.  Structures which hold up the flowers, technically called sepals, turn a brilliant red, lasting until the month of October.  This display truly appears to be a second flowering.  Once again, as the sepals and leaves are shed, another act comes to the stage.  The exfoliating bark puts on a show that will rival the best of the Sycamore group as it peels away the light gray skin to reveal the white inner bark.  This display will brighten the darkest of winter days, letting all know there is still hope for spring.   Look for Heptacodium in both multi-stemmed shrubs and single trunk tree forms.