September Plants of the Month: Heptacodium miconioides – Seven-Son Flower
An under-utilized multi-stem shrub, Heptacodium miconiodes adds flowering interest to the late summer/early fall landscape. Blooms appear in August, continuing into October.
The fragrant white flowers appear in clusters of seven, hence the common name Seven-Son Flower.
Though its fall foliage color is typically uninspiring, a spectacular fall show is provided when the sepals turn a cherry red/purple color.
Winter interest is provided by light brown exfoliating bark. This shrub has an upright habit – typically open and spreading – ranging in size from 10-20’ in height and width. It is an easy care, trouble-free plant, preferring moist soils and full sun but is tolerant of well drained or dry soils in partial shade.
This plant is suitable for use in informal borders, screens, and as a specimen. Handsome specimens can be viewed at Boston’s Arnold Arboretum. Introduced from China. Hardy zones 5-8.
Aronia melanocarpa – Black Chokeberry
Aronia melanocarpa is a northeastern native shrub that can be planted in a group or massed in shrub borders, small gardens or open woodland areas. This very adaptable shrub has the ability to withstand wet conditions, making it suitable for growing on the margins of ponds or streams and rain gardens. This shrub makes an excellent addition to naturalized areas where its suckering, colonial growth habit does not need to be restrained. Give it sufficient room to ramble!
Black Chokeberry starts out as a roundish upright shrub but over time becomes quite leggy with age. Height ranges 3-6 feet, with a similar width though it rambles if unchecked. Aronia blooms on old wood so be sure to prune accordingly. Aronia is easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. It is drought tolerant.
The common name of chokeberry is in reference to the tart and bitter taste of the fruits which are edible but so astringent as to cause choking in most of those who try. Fruits are sometimes used to make jams and jellies. Birds will eat it as a last resort.
Chokeberry is noted for its 5-6 flowered clusters of white 5-petaled spring (May) flowers, glossy elliptic to obovate dark green leaves (to 2-3” long) with finely toothed margins, black autumn berries (blueberry size), usually appearing in September, and purple/red fall color.
Aronia has no serious insect or disease problems, though some susceptibility to leaf spots and twig/fruit blight.
