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- Come see our franklinia tree!
- Come see our franklinia tree! - lk September 30, 2009, 10:25:44
- Big Crop of Franklinia ON SALE 40% off starting today - PHOTO - Joe K September 30, 2009, 11:25:48
- Re: Come see our franklinia tree! - Carol Czechowski October 2, 2009, 16:40:01
- north ? Re: Come see our franklinia tree! - lk October 3, 2009, 8:30:18
- north ? Re: Come see our franklinia tree! - lk October 3, 2009, 8:30:18
« Back to thread - Big Crop of Franklinia ON SALE 40% off starting today - PHOTO - Joe K September 30, 2009, 11:25:48
Posted by lk on September 30, 2009, 10:25:44
Franklinia tree
There is nothing prettier this time of the year than a creamy white Franklinia bloom nestled in among the colorful leaves of that plant. It is a rather under used tree. I like it because it is small and can be planted most anywhere as long as the soil is fairly decent. In fact, I was surprised that one did so well here in our sandy soil for several years. Of course we did give it compost and leaf mulch and never failed to water when it was dry. It became so beautiful that it was dug up for a landscape job. Now we have a specimen tree back by the creek.
In late August we notice buds on the Franklinia tree and know it is a sure sign that that summer is waning. This awesome little tree is one of the really precious plants that actually have a spring like performance as the summer draws nigh. It is still in bloom now.
A truly historic tree, the Franklinia was first discovered in 1765 by Philadelphians John and William Bertram, near the Alatamaha River in Georgia. William collected seeds of the tree and the Bartrams successfully propagated the Franklinia at their Philadelphia farm in 1803. Since the tree seemed to disappear in the wild it was a good thing the Bartrams grew the tree from the collected seeds and distributed young plants to many friends who would nurture them in both Great Britain and the United States. It is said that all of the Franklinia today came from these as the tree became extinct in the wild.
Franklinia trees are multistemmed often growing to between 10 and 20 feet in height but only half that in width. They have fragrant, creamy white flowers late in the summer that last long into fall. A plus is that seedpods last well into winter. Attractive leaves are a glossy dark-green, but they become a beautiful mixture of oranges and reds with the autumn chill. After the leaves fall the subtle striping of the bark on mature specimens adds winter interest.
The sparse fibrous roots really respond well if the soil is prepared with much compost. The Franklinia must have perfect drainage and organically enriched soil with a pH of 5.0 to 6.0. I find that they do well in our sandy loam if we add a lot of compost and mulch them well with chopped up leaves. They are best planted in an in a part shade site with morning sun being better than afternoon sun. They will not do well in muddy or soggy soil.
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