About Temple of Bloom
Larger flower clusters and deeper red flower look-alikes than the species. Attractive reddish brown bark peels away in narrow strips to reveal pale brown inner bark. Can be trained as a tree. Native to China, but quite rare. Best in a protected spot.
The Latin name, Heptacodium, means “seven poppy heads.” As we understand it, the central “knob” becomes the stem that produces the next circle of six flowers. Here’s a botanical article about this unusual tree. May no longer exist in the wild in China.
About Seven Son Tree
Large clusters of jasmine-scented white flowers in whorls in September when few other shrubs bloom. Each contains six tiny flowers around a central knob (in bud, these look like seven little heads). After blooming, each flower’s base (its calyx) turns red and extends, resembling flowers with red petals, lasting until November.