Franklinia alatamaha (Franklin Tree) Unity Grown

Franklinia alatamaha, commonly called Franklin tree, is a deciduous small tree or large shrub, that is originally native to Georgia. Growing to 10-25' tall with upright, spreading branches to about 15' wide, Franklinian alatamaha is named for Benjamin Franklin and for the Altamaha River, where it was originally discovered. Although Franklin tree is beautiful enough on its own in terms of its stucture and large, glossy green leaves, it takes on a wonderful tropical look in the late summer and early fall when it produces, large, white, fragrant flowers with golden centers among its many branches. 

Although some have said that Franklin trees can be difficult to grow in a nursery setting, they are relatively low maintenance once established, requiring little in the way of pruning or special treatment. Franklinia alatamaha prefers moist, slightly acidic soils with good nutrient availability, and as it originally grew as an understory tree in river floodplain areas, it prefers partial shade and can handle occasionally wetter soil. Franklin tree makes a stunning addition as an accent or specimen tree for its gorgeous late summer flowers and its tropical look in temperate gardens, but it especially serves well in historical or rare plant gardens. 

Originally discovered in 1765 by John and William Bartram, a father-son botanist duo from Philadelphia, the tree was apparently endemic to only two or three acres along the Altamaha River in Southeastern Georgia. In 1773 and 1778, William returned to obtain seeds and live plants, and it is fortunate that they did. William Bartram last saw the plant in the wild in 1790, and there is one debated siting from 1803, but since that point, Franklinia alatamaha has never again been found growing in the wild. Historians speculate that the tree may have been wiped out by human causes like harvesting for samples and sale, or by natural factors like flooding or river shifts over time. Whatever may be the cause for Franklin tree's extinction in the wild, by planting these interesting specimens in your landscape, you are contributing to ex situ conservation, and helping to preserve this plant's fascinating legacy for generations to come.