The Dawes Arboretum

Common name: heptacodium, seven-son-flower

Family: Caprifoliaceae (honeysuckle family)

Synonym: Heptacodium jasminoides

Distribution: China

IUCN Red list: Vulnerable

Hardiness: USDA Zone 5

Life form: Deciduous shrub/Subshrub

IUCN Red List code: VU A1cd; 01 January 1998

Comments: This rare deciduous shrub (or small tree) was introduced tothis country from China by the Arnold Arboretum in 1907.  It typicallygrows in a fountain shape with multiple stems to 10-20' high and wide. Seldom seen in the trade but valuable for its tolerance to poor soils and relatively dry sites.  Leaves are opposite, 3-6" long, soft greenearly but deepen to dark green in summer.  It is most ornamental in thefall when the creamy white flowers, within typicallyseven-branched flattened clusters of stalklessblooms (capitula), emerge.  Later in the fall, the floral bracts(sepals) expand around small reddish fruits and take on deep rose purple. This display appears as if it were flowering once again.  Bark islight gray to brown often peeling in long strips- reminiscent of crapemyrtles.  This unusual fall-blooming plant makes for a great addition tothe shrub border, or as a specimen.