Temple of Bloom® Seven Son Flower Tree

Heptacodium miconiodes 'SMHMRF'

Proven Winners®

Rare Seven Sons Tree with Proven Winners ColorChoice Genetics for Year-Round Garden Drama
Thrives in Zones 5-9
Stunning Showy Red Bracts Fall Foliage
Sweetly Fragrant Flowers
Pollinator-Friendly Tree

$24⁵²

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Plant Size

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Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: This tree performs best in full sun, which means at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. While it tolerates partial shade, you will get the most prolific late-summer blooms and the most vibrant red bracts in the fall if it has plenty of sun.
Soil: It thrives in well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. If you have heavy clay that stays soggy, plant it in a raised mound to improve drainage; for sandy soil, mix in compost to help hold onto essential moisture.

Watering Requirements

During the first two growing seasons, provide deep watering twice a week to help the root system settle into its new home. Once the tree is mature, it is remarkably drought-tolerant, but consistent moisture is the secret to preventing the leaves from drooping during intense summer heat. If the soil stays bone-dry for too long, the flower production may be sparse and the signature peeling bark might look dull.

Pruning Tips

Since this tree blooms on new wood, you should prune it in late winter or very early spring before the fresh growth begins. Use this time to remove any low-crossing branches or to "limb up" the bottom to better showcase the beautiful exfoliating bark on the trunk. Think of this like a structural tune-up that encourages more flowering tips while keeping the unique multi-stemmed shape tidy.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as the leaf buds start to swell. Avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer, as this can force tender new growth that won't have time to harden off before the first frost. A light layer of mulch around the base will also provide a steady stream of nutrients as it breaks down naturally.

Delivery and Shipping

Preorder Shipping Schedule

We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.

Zone 3-4	Week of March 30th
Zone 5	Week of March 16th
Zone 6-12	Week of March 2nd

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Photo courtesy of Proven Winners - www.provenwinners.com

Now is the time to take your garden to the next level! No more "common" plantings. Nothing that will make people politely stifle a yawn. Now is the time for you to be the first in your neighborhood - maybe the first in your city - to plant the Proven Winner® ColorChoice® Temple of Bloom® Seven-Son Flower Tree PP#30763 (Heptacodium miconiodes 'SMHMRF').

Temple of Bloom® Seven-Son Flower is a beautiful, easy-to-grow small tree that simply can't be matched for year-round beauty! Heptacodium is native to China and is very rare. So rare that it might not even exist in the wild anymore. It has only recently become available in the nursery market and even then, only in small quantities.

Heptacodium is a small tree that looks reminiscent of a Crape Myrtle when it's in full bloom! The fragrant white flowers come in whorls on big puffy panicles and completely cover each branch tip for an impressive display. Each whorl contains 7 flowers, which is why in China this is known as "Seven Son Flower". It will be covered in big clusters that hummingbirds and other pollinators flock to!

Unlike Crape Myrtles, though, after the white flowers are done blooming they reveal vivid red, fan-like bracts that look even more spectacular than the flowers in the late summer and fall! It's almost like they are in full bloom again in a whole new color!

These pods last well into winter when the leaves fall. Then the peeling Birch-like bark takes center stage. This is a true four-season stunner! Hardy throughout USDA planting zones 5 to 9, these trees are gorgeous specimens!

Landscape Use

Do your part in helping preserve this rare beauty for the world. Order yours from us today and let us know how it does for you. Though the Seven-Son Flower's exact form will depend on how you train it, it typically becomes a small, multi-stemmed tree that reaches around 6 - 10 feet tall and wide at maturity.

Birds, butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees swarm to the September bloom to appreciate the fall nectar and you will appreciate the flurry of activity. Plant as backdrops and screening hedges, as gorgeous specimens on a front yard berm, or in groupings to bring in the pollinators.

Its mid-sized form means a world of possibilities for smaller properties and even large container gardens for balcony gardening!

An Excellent Rare & Unique Selection
Fragrant White Flower Clusters On Each Branch Tip
Cherry-Red Bracts In Fall Lasts for Weeks
Long Blooming, Pollinator & Beneficial Insect Magnet
Gorgeous Specimens, Screening & Backdrops, & Large Planters

#ProPlantTips for Care

The Seven-Son Flower tree is glorious and easy to grow! It does well in full sun or partial shade, and does its best when planted in moderately dry soil that drains well. Provide new plants with regular moisture until they are established. Mulch the roots to a 3-4 inch depth. Flowering on new wood, prune in the late winter or very early in the spring.

Full Sun & Partial Shade
Moderate Moisture Needs - Low Once Established
Any Well-Drained Soil
Prune In Late Winter/Very Early Spring
Easy to Grow, Widely Adaptable Small Tree or Larger Shrub

Hang on to your hat - Temple of Bloom® Seven-Son Flower is going to blow your mind! We are super excited to offer you this exciting new selection of the species introduced through Proven Winners®, but please don't hesitate to order yours early at NatureHills.com. They WILL sell out and we only have a limited supply.

Explore More from Nature Hills

The Temple of Bloom® Seven Son Flower Tree makes an excellent addition to your landscape alongside other flowering trees and drought tolerant selections from our proven winners® collection. For design inspiration, check out our guide on 12 Design Ideas For Flowering Shrubs Grown In Tree Form and discover more options in our Best Flowering Trees for Zone 7 recommendations.

Botanical Name

Heptacodium miconiodes 'SMHMRF'
Class

Lamiales
Species

miconiodes
Cultivar

SMHMRF
Growing Zones

5-9
Height

8-10 ft
Width

6-10 ft
Sunlight

Full sun, Partial shade
Growth Rate

Moderate
Flower Color

White
Leaf Color

Green, Red, Purple
Fall Color

Showy Red Bracts
Fragrant

Yes
Bloom Period

Early Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Late Fall
Does Not Ship To

AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

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Growing Zones 5-9

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Frequently Asked Questions

What USDA hardiness zones is the Temple of Bloom® Seven Son Flower Tree suitable for?

The Temple of Bloom® Seven Son Flower Tree is hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9. This resilient tree tolerates a wide range of climates, from cold northern regions to warmer southern areas. Check your specific zone to ensure successful establishment.

How tall and wide does the Temple of Bloom® Seven Son Flower Tree grow at maturity?

The Temple of Bloom® Seven Son Flower Tree reaches 6-10 feet tall and wide at maturity. This multi-stemmed specimen works beautifully in zones 5-9 as a focal point or grouped planting. Shop at Nature Hills to secure this rare beauty for your landscape.

What are the planting zone requirements and is it hardy in zone 5?

The Temple of Bloom Seven Son Flower Tree is hardy in USDA zones 5-9, making it suitable for zone 5 gardens. This rare Chinese native tolerates cold well while reaching 6-10 feet tall and wide at maturity. Plant in spring after your last frost date for best establishment.

What sun exposure does the Temple of Bloom® Seven Son Flower need—full sun or part shade?

Temple of Bloom® Seven Son Flower thrives in full sun to partial shade conditions. This adaptable tree performs best with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily to maximize its spectacular September blooms and colorful fall bracts. Plant in a sunny location for the most impressive flower display.

How much water does the Temple of Bloom® Seven Son Flower require after planting?

Q: How much water does the Temple of Bloom® Seven Son Flower require after planting? Water deeply 2-3 times per week for the first growing season, then weekly once established in zones 5-9. This hardy tree is quite drought tolerant after its roots develop. Check soil moisture 2 inches down and water when dry - available at naturehills.com with planting guidance.

When and how should I prune the Temple of Bloom® Seven Son Flower Tree?

Prune Temple of Bloom® Seven Son Flower in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Since it blooms on new wood in September, avoid late summer pruning that removes flower buds. Remove dead or crossing branches and shape as desired to maintain its 6-10 foot mature size.

What pests or diseases affect the Temple of Bloom® Seven Son Flower, like Verticillium Wilt?

Temple of Bloom® Seven Son Flower is remarkably pest and disease resistant with no major issues reported. This hardy tree thrives in zones 5-9 without the common problems that plague other flowering trees. Plant in well-draining soil with good air circulation for best results.

What is the warranty or guarantee for Temple of Bloom® Seven Son Flower if it arrives damaged?

Temple of Bloom® Seven Son Flower trees are covered by a standard nursery guarantee if they arrive damaged during shipping. This rare USDA zones 5-9 specimen should be inspected immediately upon delivery. Contact your supplier right away with photos if you notice any broken branches or root damage for prompt replacement.

How do I train the Temple of Bloom® Seven Son Flower from bushy to upright tree form?

Prune lower branches annually during dormancy to encourage a single or few main trunks. Remove suckers and crossing branches to develop the tree's natural 6-10 foot upright form. Start training while young for best results.