HEPTACODIUM miconioides

A shrub originating from East China (Zheijiang), 3 to 4 m tall (in its native country to about 7 m tall), with broad and upright-growing habit and having multiple shoots; shoots yellowish-bronze to bronze with flaking bark, young shoots greyish-green; leaves oval, opposite, 9 to 16 cm long and 3.5 to 8 cm wide, dark green with a hard-shaped base and long, pointed tip; flowers small, creamy white, with a tinge of purple, fragrant, borne on shoot ends, appearing at first in June and having main flowering season from August till November; infructescence pink to deep purple - an unusual, very hardy plant, tolerant to environmental emissions and short dry periods, adaptable to city climate; a striking, late-autumn flowering plant. D, R, S, St. Zone 5a.