Overview
Franklinia alatamaha is franklinia (Franklin tree), an upright deciduous tree growing 10-20 feet (3-6 m) tall and 6-15 feet (1.8-4.5 m) wide. White cup-shaped 5-petaled flowers 3 inches (7 cm) with a central boss of golden-yellow stamens in August-October — resembling single white camellias. The late-season bloom overlaps with the red-orange fall foliage — white flowers and red-orange leaves appear simultaneously. Dark green glossy oblong leaves 5-6 inches (13-15 cm). Lightly fragrant. In Theaceae (the tea family). Native to the Altamaha River valley in Georgia — extinct in the wild since the early 1800s. All cultivated plants descend from seeds collected by John and William Bartram in the 1770s. A monotypic genus. Root rot (Phytophthora cinnamomi) is the primary disease limitation — the species is extremely susceptible and the disease is fatal. Do not plant in Phytophthora-infested soil. Requires acidic well-drained soil (pH 5.0-6.0). Does not tolerate wet soil, drought, or alkaline conditions. Slow-growing. Deer-resistant. Non-toxic. Zones 5-8. Full sun to partial shade. Growth rate is slow.
Native Range
Native to the Altamaha River valley in Georgia, USA. Extinct in the wild since the early 1800s. All cultivated plants descend from seeds collected by John and William Bartram in the 1770s.Suggested Uses
Grown as a specimen tree in residential gardens and in containers of at least 10 gallons (38 L), spaced 6-15 feet (1.8-4.5 m). Late-season white bloom with simultaneous red-orange fall foliage. Extinct in the wild — all cultivated plants from Bartram collections. Phytophthora-susceptible. Non-toxic. Zones 5-8.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height10' - 20'
Width/Spread6' - 15'
Reaches mature size in approximately 10 years
Bloom Information
Late summer to fall (August-October). White cup-shaped 5-petaled flowers 3 inches (7 cm) with golden-yellow stamens. Lightly fragrant. 6 weeks of bloom — overlapping with red-orange fall foliage. Bee-pollinated.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
White, 5-petaled, cup-shaped, 3 inches (7 cm) diameter with a central boss of golden-yellow stamens; resembles a single white camelliaFoliage Description
Dark green, glossy, oblong, 5-6 inches (13-15 cm) long with serrated margins; turns red-orange in fall — the fall color can overlap with late-season bloomGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Full sun to partial shade (4-8 hours). Acidic well-drained soil pH 5.0-6.0. Extremely susceptible to Phytophthora root rot — do not plant in wet or previously infested soil. Not drought-tolerant. Mulch to maintain cool moist root zone but avoid wet conditions. Prune in early spring (March). Deer-resistant. Non-toxic. Zones 5-8.Pruning
Prune in early spring (March). Remove dead, crossing, or damaged branches. Can be grown as a single-trunk tree or multi-stemmed large shrub. The upright form is natural. Minimal pruning needed.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early spring
Maintenance Level
moderateContainer Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 10 gallons