General Culture:
Best grown in organically rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Must have good soil drainage. Consider raised plantings in poorly-drained heavy clay soils such as those present in much of the St. Louis area. Perhaps best in full sun in northern climates, but appreciates some afternoon shade in hot summer climates. May not be reliably winter hardy in the northern parts of USDA Zone 5 where it should be planted in a protected location. Hard to transplant because of its sparsely fibrous root system, and is best left undisturbed once planted in the landscape.
Noteworthy Characteristics:
Franklin tree is a deciduous, understory tree with a rounded crown or a multi-stemmed shrub. As a single trunk tree, it can grow to 20' tall or more, but is more often seen growing much shorter. Features camellia-like, cup-shaped, 5-petaled, sweetly-fragrant, white flowers (to 3" diameter) with centers of bushy egg-yoke yellow stamens. Flowers bloom in late summer to early fall. Narrow, oblong-obovate, glossy dark green leaves (to 5" long) turn quality shades of orange, red and purple in autumn. This native tree was collected from the banks of the Altamaha River in southeastern Georgia by John Bartam in the late 1700s and has been extinct in the wild since 1803. It has been perpetuated in cultivation because of its attractive flowers and foliage. Franklinia belongs to the tea family and is closely related to Stewartia and Gordonia (loblolly bay).
Problems:
Wilt and root rot can be serious problems.
Uses:
Specimen tree or large shrub valued for its late summer flowers, good fall color and interesting history. Deserves a prominent location in the landscape.
© Missouri Botanical
Garden, 2001-2010
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