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PlantFiles: Franklinia Tree
Franklinia alatamaha

 
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Family: Theaceae (tee-AY-see-ee) (Info)
Genus: Franklinia (frank-LIN-ee-uh) (Info)
Species: alatamaha (uh-lah-tah-MAH-hah) (Info)

8 vendors have this plant for sale.

8 members have or want this plant for trade.

Category:
Trees

Height:
15-20 ft. (4.7-6 m)

Spacing:
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
8-10 ft. (2.4-3 m)
over 40 ft. (12 m)

Hardiness:
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)

Sun Exposure:
Sun to Partial Shade
Light Shade

Danger:
N/A

Bloom Color:
White/Near White

Bloom Time:
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Mid Fall
Late Fall/Early Winter

Foliage:
Grown for foliage
Deciduous
Smooth-Textured

Other details:
Flowers are fragrant
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings
Provides winter interest

Soil pH requirements:
5.1 to 5.5 (strongly acidic)
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)

Patent Information:
Non-patented

Propagation Methods:
From semi-hardwood cuttings
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors

Seed Collecting:
Seed does not store well; sow as soon as possible

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Thumbnail #7 of Franklinia alatamaha by sladeofsky

There are a total of 17 photos.
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Profile:

3 positives
3 neutrals
No negatives

Gardeners' Notes:

RatingAuthorComment
Positive CarterGardener On Nov 20, 2009, CarterGardener from Asheville, NC wrote:

There is a Franklinia tree growing at Biltmore Estate in Asheville NC. The Fall color is an amazing orange, and the bark pattern is like no other! It is approximately 12 feet tall and planted amongst other larger trees.

Neutral ScudAg56 On Nov 6, 2009, ScudAg56 from Grand Bay, AL wrote:

This facinating tree was first discovered by Bartram in 1765 and was last seen in the wild in 1790. Despite its southeastern location, the tree appears to grow better in cooler climes. It is theorized that glaciation eradicated the tree from almost all of its original range, leaving only a remnant growing in its southernmost portion along the Altamaha River. It is one of the few trees that flower in the fall.

Positive fordhere On Jul 2, 2008, fordhere from Akron, OH wrote:

I have had this tree in my yard for nearly twenty years and it has thrived even though it is not listed for zone 5. It is planted close to my front porch so it is protected. The Franklinia is one of my favorite trees. When we bought it at the nursery no one knew anything about this tree and it looked like it was dead (it doesn't leaf until after the other trees).

Neutral Monocromatico On Jun 27, 2003, Monocromatico from Rio de Janeiro
Brazil (Zone 11) wrote:

I was reading about this species. I saw it listed among the most endangered species in Texas. It naturally has a low rate of germination from seeds, and propagation by stem cuttings is always a failure... So bad, I saw so many pictures of flowering individuals, the flowers are awesome!...

edit: I recently read an article where the authros were sucessful on hybridizing F. alatamaha with a chinese relative, Schima argentea, in an atempt to save the Franklinia´s genome, "stored" in a different plant until it can be used to effectively propagate Franklinia Trees.

Neutral Ivey On Jan 13, 2001, Ivey from Lyles, TN wrote:

Just a reminder, Franklinia is now known only in cultivation. Don't let this happen to your favorite plant!

Positive Chooch On Nov 11, 2000, Chooch from DRESDEN, ON wrote:

The most famous discovery of American botanists John and William Bartram. The father and son explorers discovered a small grove of this unknown tree growing along the Altamaha River in Georgia in 1765. On a later trip, William gathered seeds to propagate at their Philadelphia garden. They named the tree Franklinia alatamaha in honor of John Bartram's great friend, Benjamin Franklin.

A multi-stemmed tree, the growth Rate is 10-20 feet in 20 years. Creamy white fragrant flowers bloom late July into September.

Dark green leaves turn orange and red in the fall, often in combination with a few late flowers. Subtly striped branches and persistent seed capsules add winter interest.

Regional...

This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:

Glastonbury, Connecticut
Lewes, Delaware
Winnetka, Illinois
Clermont, Kentucky
Georgetown, Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky
Versailles, Kentucky
Beverly, Massachusetts
West Tisbury, Massachusetts
Camden, New Jersey
Buffalo, New York
Franklin Square, New York
Staten Island, New York
Asheville, North Carolina
Akron, Ohio
Chardon, Ohio
Sandy Springs, South Carolina
Summerville, South Carolina
Alexandria, Virginia (2 reports)
Orlean, Virginia
Castle Rock, Washington



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