Franklinia alatamaha Franklin Tree

 

Named by John Bartram for his friend Benjamin Franklin. In 1765, John and his son William collected seed from a wild population on Georgia's Altamaha River and was propagated in the Bartrams' Philadelphia garden. All existing plants are from the Bartram seed as Franklinia became extinct after 1790 (or 1803).

Franklinia is grown for its fragrant white magnolia like flowers that apperar in summer and for its bright red fall color. The tree has a reputation for being difficult to grow and seems to do better in (formally) non cotton growing soils of the north.

• 15'h x 15'w
• Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade
• Hardiness Zones: 5-9
• Soil Type: Average to Moist
• Ornamental Tree
• Deciduous
• Native to southeastern US