Heptacodium miconioides (seven-son flower) pruning/shaping question - Ask Extension
We just purchased a seven-son flower plant to add to our back yard as a small tree. However, the pruning that has already been done to it by the nurs...
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Heptacodium miconioides (seven-son flower) pruning/shaping question #800117
Asked July 08, 2022, 4:31 PM EDT
We just purchased a seven-son flower plant to add to our back yard as a small tree. However, the pruning that has already been done to it by the nursery is encouraging the plant to spread outward rather than upward (see photos). What can we do to shift the direction of growth toward the sky? Thank you.
Lane County Oregon
Expert Response
Normally, if you want a tree shape, you want to have two or three (or more) stems that can be trained upward. If these pruned spots are on stems that you are going to train upward, you can prune off one of the branches and stake up the stem (leave the top 6-8 inches free). Over time this should help it grow into the desired shape. As the stems grow, you can prune off the lower branches to favor growth of the main stems upward.
