Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Searching for a unique specimen plant to serve as a conversation piece for years to come? If so, Seven-Sons Flower Tree is ready to serve. During spring, Seven-Sons’ lustrous, cordate, emerald-colored leaves unfurl. Then in summer, charming clusters of delicate, fragrant, white florets begin to bloom. During fall, the continuous wash of white florets morph into dramatic purple fruit surrounded by magenta sepals. Finally in winter, this perennial’s outer beige bark now exposes darker caramel-colored strips underneath after exfoliating its summer coat. With so much interest all year long, your family, friends, and neighbors will all be talking about your new tree! Seven-Sons Flower Tree is also known as Heptacodium miconioides and Autumn Lilac.
Reaching a maximum height of 15 to 20 feet and spread of 8 to 10 feet, Seven-Sons can act as either a shrub or tree depending on how you choose to train it. Growing upright, this fast-growing deciduous tree is rabbit resistant. An original from China, this conversation piece is easy to grow and adaptable to many conditions. With its color, fragrance, and unique bark, this ornamental tree/shrub is superb for a busy person who wants to add something special to a landscape.
Seven-Sons Flower Tree Care
Seven-Sons Flower Tree does best in full sun. Choose a spot that is moist, slightly acidic to neutral, and drains well. Plant this ornamental during the spring. Apply a 2-3-inch ring of mulch around the base of the tree to prevent water loss. Regularly water this tree until it is established. To encourage growth and production of flowers, water during times of drought. A low-maintenance perennial, this tree does not typically require fertilizer if grown in fertile soil. In poor soil, add a liquid fertilizer that has a higher amount of nitrogen such as a 3-1-1 formula during the spring.
Prune Seven-Sons Flower Tree for form in late winter before it establishes buds. Trim any diseased, damaged, or dead limbs as well to encourage growth and avert disease.
Seven-Sons Flower Tree Spacing
Keep the conversation going with Seven-Sons Flower Tree. Planted as a specimen in the front or back yard, this ornamental adds height, color, movement, and texture. Companion plants include asters, daffodils, geraniums, impatiens, and violets. Pruned to maintain a smaller size, this ornamental can also be grown in a container as a thriller adding charm to patios.
Seven-Sons Flower Tree Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 5 to 9 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Full Sun (6+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 15-20 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 8-10+ Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Upright
- Water Needs
- Average
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , White
- Flower Description
- Red, White
- Bloom Time
- Late Summer to Fall
- Blooms On
-
New Wood
?
"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Late winter to early spring, before new growth starts
- Foliage Color
- , Green
- Foliage Description
- Deep Green
- Foliage Type
- , Deciduous
- Seasonal Interest
- , Summer Flowering, Fall Flowering, Fall Interest, Winter Interest, 4 Season Interest
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Seven-Sons Flower Tree
- Also Known As
- Seven-Son Flower
- Botanical Name
- Heptacodium miconioides - single
- Plant Type
- Tree
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
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We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2026 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!