Seven-Son Flower

Growth habit

Shrub/Tree

Perennation

Long-lived polycarpic perennial

Native distribution

China, Zhejiang Province

Location

Groundcover Collection, Zucker Shrub Collection

Source of plant

Klyn Nurseries, Schichtel's Nursery, John Filkins, Cornell Botanic Gardens

Description

Large shrub or small tree reaching 15-20' in height with a spread up to 10'; bark grey to brown, exfoliating on older stems to reveal lighter inner bark; leaves opposite, simple, 3-6" long, 2-2.25" wide, ovate-lanceolate, acute, rounded to truncate, entire with wavy margin, strongly 3-nerved, dark green; flowers open in August although buds are ornamental much earlier, by mid-summer, the individual flowers are creamy-white, fragrant, held in 6" long terminal panicles; fruit showy, a capsule with persistent sepals that mature from green to rose-purple and remain showy well into the Autumn.

USDA Hardiness Zone

5

Special characteristics

flowering season, fragrance