I am not questioning my choice: those question marks in the title were supposed to be hearts, but got lost in translation. Anyone know how to access symbols in WordPress?
The tree itself is not so very special, but the charm is in the details.
Shaggy, peeling bark bears closer inspection.
The lightly fragrant blossoms are beloved by bees. Our tree comes alive with them between showers.
This tree has been blooming for almost two weeks and there are still many tight buds, promising more to come.
Here you can see that it is overwhelming its neighbors: a crape myrtle on the left and Viburnum ‘Blue Muffin’ in the middle. Guess some targeted pruning would be in order.
In most venues the blossoms are not even mentioned and featured photos are invariably of the russet calyxes that remain after the flowers fade. You can see them here in the Great Plant Picks listing. Plant Lust has minimal information but does list sources. Most listings seem to regard the Seven Son Flower (that’s its common name) as a shrub and that was what I was expecting when I planted it. As you can see, it has far exceeded my expectations. To be honest, overplanting is a common problem around here.
Don’t forget to see what the Danger Garden is featuring this week. Follow the comments to other plant faves and join in if you like.
I expected a shrub too. At 11 years old, mine is a small tree. It drops its tinypetals all over the place so it’s not a tree for the neat nick gardeners among us. And I rarely get those cool calyxes. But despite its size and idiosyncrasies, I love the thing.
I has a lovely habit and overall look to it for sure!
I have read your post with interest – this shrub/tree is not common over here but I do grow it in my garden. I’ve had it 3 year and thus far the flowers get hit by an early frost so have yet to see it flower.
I keep my fingers crossed that the weather this year will put an end to my disappointment!
Great profile and your plant is gorgeous – just how I want mine to look in coming years.
Glad to hear I’m in good company with the overplanting thing. And heck if you can do it with all that space then what chance do I have?
Love the bark, and do wonder about that common name…Seven Son Flower. What do you think is behind that?
The bark is very interesting – not a tree I know, but it seems to tick all the boxes !
Grace~I have failed to get many of the showy calyxes as well, and it may be for lack of sufficient sun.
Mark & Gaz~Do you see them in your neck of the woods?
Angie~It’s far from common here, too. Uncommon = fascinating here in nerd nation.
Loree~I did a bit of digging (of the internet kind) and found this: “Each panicle segment ends in a cluster of 7 buds, the source of both the Chinese common name and the Latin name. Thanks for the brain-teasing query.
Jane~Indeed!
Hi Ricki! I had to look this plant up because I’ve not heard of it before. Apparently related to the honeysuckle and I like it’s little buds and flowers, they do remind me of my honeysuckle actually, which is also rambling over my neighbours fence! I don’t think they mind! No idea how to do the hearts, I’ve always thought it was something like this but not sure if wordpress will automatically turn it into a heart
No it didnt! and it actually removed it! It was a
oh, it removed it again?! I give up! It was a left chevron and a number 3!
Anna B~Thanks for your efforts to solve the heart problem. I guess I will have to forgo the use of that shortcut.