Seven-Son Flower (Heptacodium)

Planting & Care for Heptacodium Shrub 

Preparation

• Grows to be 15-20 feet high and 10 feet wide.
• A somewhat unique and rare plant with year-round interest.
• Works best as a shrub border or in a woodland garden.
• It’s a great source of nectar for butterflies in July.
• It likes to be planted in spots that get full sun.
• It is adaptable to most any soil type especially once established.

Opening Plant Material

• Container - Completely saturate all container plants by putting in a larger container of water until stops bubbling, then remove the plant from the container. 

Planting Container

• Can be planted in early spring or late fall.
• Dig a hole no deeper than the depth of the container and 6" or more wider on the sides.
• Slide plant from pot by tapping on the bottom of the pot.
• With shovel or knife trim bottom 2" off of the root ball for plants in plastic containers.
• Rotate the plant to the proper position. Never lift or move plants by the tops.
• Place the root ball in the hole.
• Adjust the plant height so the root crown is slightly higher than the ground.
• Place fertilizer packets into the bottom of the hole (if purchased). *Use Our Recommended Fertilizer
• Back-fill the hole with soil, making sure the top of the root ball is visible and slightly higher than the soil around it.
• Firm the soil around the plant. Water well to settle soil around the root ball.
• Water frequently when newly planted. 
  
  

Pruning - After Planting

• Container - Although it is not essential for container plants to be pruned after planting, a light pruning to remove any broken branches during shipment and improve shape will help the looks of your new planting.
• While Heptacodium is easy to grow, the only word of caution, is that pruning is a necessary task in creating a neat full bodied plant, be it a shrub or a tree.
• Pruning should be done during the growing season to create more breaks.

Pruning - Through-out the Season

• For mature plants in the landscape, pruning should be reserved for either late fall-early winter or in the early spring.
• The flower buds form in spring and slowly mature over the summer, so an untimely pruning would certainly sacrifice autumn bloom.

 Watering - After Planting

• Plants typically take approximately 6 weeks to establish new roots in your soil. During this period, water plants as oft en as every 2-4 days at the start and at least a minimum of once per week.
• Beyond the 6 week establishment period, water once per week, unless rains occur.

Watering - Through-out the Season

• After the first season, plants should only be watered during extended periods without rain.
• How do you know if your plants need water? The easiest way to tell is to touch the soil around the roots. If it is moist, there is no need to water. If it is dry, give it a good soaking with the hose end (no nozzle) watering the soil only, not the leaves.

Go to our "Plant Features & Video Tab" for more information on container plants and how to plant them.