Franklin Tree Plant Profile

Franklin Tree Plant Profile

Franklin Tree (Franklinia alatamaha) is a small ornamental tree or large shrub. It is native to the southeastern United States and is hardy to USDA Zones 5 to 8. It is also known as Gordonia alatamaha or Gordonia pubescens.

It was named after the founding father Ben Franklin. John Bartram and his son William discovered Franklinia growing along the banks of the Altamaha River in Georgia. The tree is no longer found in the wild, but it is available in cultivation thanks to the original seeds gathered by the Bartrams. Franklinia has a reputation for being difficult to grow and it deserves a place of pride in a collector’s garden. It can be propagated from seeds or cuttings taken in early fall or by layering the lower branches. The fragrant flowers bloom in mid- to late-summer and are an open Camellia-like blossom with bright yellow stamens at the center of a ring of creamy-white, curved petals. It is in the tea family and is also related to Stewartia. The fall foliage color is attractive as well. It prefers to be planted in part sun to part shade in rich, but well-draining soils. It is susceptible to wilt and root rot. This tree resents being moved, so do not disturb the roots after planting it.

Franklinia Tree: You Can Grow That! The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine as part of our Plant Profile series for Mid-Atlantic USA gardeners. Audio, text, photos, and editing by Kathy Jentz ➤ If you enjoy this video, please give it a thumbs up and subscribe to our Youtube channel (thank you!) ➤Remember to TURN ON notifications to know when our new videos are out ➤ FIND Washington Gardener Magazine ONLINE ~ WashingtonGardener.blogspot.com ~ http://twitter.com/WDCGardener ~ https://www.instagram.com/wdcgardener/ ~ Facebook.com/WashingtonGardenerMagazine ~ Podcast: GardenDC

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