Seven Son Flower Plant Care

Seven Son Flower (Heptacodium miconioides) belongs to the Caprifoliaceae family within the Heptacodium genus. Seven Son Flower is also known as Seven Sons Flower.

Seven Son Flower displays an upright, multi-stemmed shrub growth habit, reaching up to 15 ft tall with a spread of approximately 8 ft. Seven Son Flower produces fragrant clusters of small white flowers in late summer to early fall.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Seven Son Flower every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Seven Son Flower thrives in full sun to part shade.

Heptacodium miconioides tolerates temperatures of 0–90°F. Seven Son Flower prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Seven Son Flower to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Seven Son Flower every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to part shade and well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Seven Son Flower can spread to about 8 ft (2.4 m) and reach about 15 ft (5 m) tall. Space plants about 8 ft (2.4 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Seven Son Flower while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Seven Son Flower can be propagated through softwood cuttings, hardwood cuttings.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Seven Son Flower is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.