No doubt, one of two Seven Son trees (Heptacodium miconioides, below) is improperly located. With so many trees in the garden, it is a near certainty that some late arrivals will be planted in less than ideal conditions. Often, the newly planted tree adjusts, and so the Seven Son has quickly grown upwards between a serviceberry (Amelanchier) and Kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa) to reach a small opening of sunlight. But, there is a downside. Lower branches are skimpy, and none will flower again this summer. Flowers on upper branches are hidden from view.

Years ago, a Seven Son near the koi pond was ideally sited. With plenty of space, the tree displayed its small clusters of white, midsummer flowers and colorful, pink-red late summer calyces (below) on spreading branches. The koi pond and surrounding garden are the midpoint as the rear garden gently slopes downward. A brief stroll often ended with a visit to admire the Seven Son’s beauty.

But, it didn’t last. While the rear garden is protected from severe weather by the slope and bordering forest, a straight line wind that felled many area trees (but no others in the garden) severed the Seven Son’s multiple trunks at the soil line. Afterwards, I figured the tree’s a weed, it’ll grow back from the roots. But it didn’t.

I searched for a replacement, but all I could find were small shrubs that would take years to fill the space. So, I opted for a more immediate replacement, which turned out to be the Red Horse-chestnut (Aesculus x carnea, below) that has become another favorite despite annual black spotting of leaves by midsummer.

A few years ago, I found two Seven Sons that were not quite as large as I preferred, but I found spots where a smaller trees fit without looking awkward. How fortunate to now have both Seven Son and Horse-chestnut.

While the Seven Son in the upper rear garden is clearly out of place, the tree at the lower end of the garden is flourishing. I must clean up a few lower branches nibbled by deer, but its a better tree limbed up and showing the peeling bark. This one flowers fully for my benefit and the bees’.