I think it's important not to comandeer another's thread, and your original off-shoot (oh no, pun-ishment; i never do it intentionally)question is a very good one, generating lots of interest, so let's keep it separate from ken's.

I just want to remind you that if you're going to REMOVE branches from your heptacodium, like yours that are lying on the ground, it does not matter WHEN you cut those off because when the tree blooms is irrelevant. I.e. the branches you remove will not be blooming anyway; and you don't care about their bloom next year; you care about the ultimate shape of your tree. i would whack them now and get it done with while it's on your mind. So you lose next month's bloom on those low branches; they're not important.

as to beautiful heptacodium shapes, george is so smart w/ his helpful description of how to achieve a handsome specimen, limbed up to single trunk tree.I have seen beautiful ones like that as well. HOWEVER, if I remember correctly, Monique and Les's Ct. heptacodium is a full shrub and is quite breathtaking. I'm hoping she sees this thread heading and will post a photo of her tree for you, thyme2dig.

best,

mindy