Is anyone else growing this? We've acquired one from somewhere-we-forget
and neither of us had ever met it before. It sounds a very useful plant and
is hardy, too. The New Jersey Arboretum site says:
"This small, 10 to 20 feet, tree is great for four seasons of interest. Long
dark green leaves appear in early April followed by pale creamy, fragrant
flowers in August. These flowers will persist until October when the calyces
turn reddish which gives the impression of another bloom. In winter the
white bark exfoliates for yet another season of interest. Hepatacodium
miconoides will grow in full sun or part shade. Use as an accent in the
shrub border or as a small specimen."

Its other nickname is Crape Myrtle of the North and I suppose it does have a
slight look of a Lagerstroemia about it. According to one US site I read,
it's a newish introduction from China.
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
http://www.discoverdartmoor.co.uk/