Heptacodium or Seven Sons Tree

Brings multi-season interest to your garden with its fragrant late-summer flowers, colorful autumn sepals, and striking winter bark. Its adaptability to various growing conditions, low-maintenance requirements, and ability to attract pollinators and birds make it an excellent choice for wildlife-friendly gardens. As a relatively rare and unusual plant, Heptacodium also adds a sense of exclusivity and uniqueness to any garden. Whether used as a specimen plant, part of a mixed border, or a feature in a small urban garden, Heptacodium offers year-round beauty and versatility.

Heptacodium is still relatively rare in cultivation. This makes it a great choice for gardeners who are looking for something unique and unusual. Its rarity adds a sense of exclusivity to your garden, and it’s sure to be a conversation starter for visitors.  For plant enthusiasts and collectors, Heptacodium is a must-have due to its combination of late flowering, striking fruit, and peeling bark. It’s not commonly found in every garden, which makes it all the more special for those who appreciate distinctive plants.

Where To Site Your Heptacodium

• Year-Round Interest: Heptacodium offers something unique in every season. In late summer and autumn, its fragrant flowers and colorful sepals make it a standout feature in the garden. In winter, the peeling bark provides a striking visual element, ensuring the plant remains a focal point throughout the year.
• Works in Different Garden Designs: Heptacodium fits well into a variety of garden styles, from formal gardens to more naturalistic, wildlife-friendly spaces. Its adaptability makes it a versatile choice whether you’re looking for a specimen tree, a mixed border plant, or an addition to a wildlife garden.
•  Heptacodium is well-suited to urban gardens as it can tolerate some pollution and compacted soils, making it a good choice for city landscapes or smaller, enclosed spaces.

How To Grow Your Seven Sons Tree

• Soil: Plant Heptacodium in well-drained, fertile soil. It can tolerate a range of soil types, including loam, clay, and sandy soils, but make sure the soil is not waterlogged.
• Light: Position Heptacodium in full sun for the best flowering and fruiting, though it can tolerate partial shade. More sunlight will result in a more prolific display of flowers and fruit.
• Watering: Water young plants regularly until they are established. Once mature, Heptacodium is relatively drought-tolerant and will only need watering during prolonged dry spells.
• Pruning: Light pruning in late winter or early spring is all that’s needed to maintain the shape and remove any dead or damaged branches. Avoid heavy pruning, as this can reduce the flowering potential.