trefle.io · Taken Jan 31, 2006 by philippe de spoelberch (cc-by-sa)
Theaceae
Franklin tree
Franklinia alatamaha
Also known as Ben Franklin tree, Gordonia pubescens var. subglabra, Franklinia, Gordonia pubescens
Flowering Plants · Native Plants · Trees & Shrubs · Franklin Tree · Extinct In Wild · Rare Tree · Camellia Flowers · Fall Color · Theaceae · Historic Plant · Collector · Southeast Native · Deciduous Tree
The Franklin tree is one of horticulture's most storied treasures — extinct in the wild since the early 1800s and surviving only in cultivation. It produces gorgeous, fragrant white camellia-like flowers with golden stamens in late summer and offers brilliant orange-red fall foliage. Plant in acidic, well-drained, organically rich soil with afternoon shade; it is sensitive to root disturbance and performs best in cooler climates.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 5 hours
- Watering
- Water deeply to keep soil evenly moist; mulch heavily to retain moisture · Every 5-7 days
- Maintenance
- High
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 5.5–7
- Temperature
- -25°F to 95°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
Hardiness
USDA 4b-9b
Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 10 ft – 25 ft
- Spread
- 16.7 ft
- Spacing
- 120 in apart
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- White
- Foliage
- Grey · Coarse
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Georgia
- Attracts
- Bees, Butterflies
Sources: trefle
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