Franklinia have probably been extinct in the wild in Georgia, USA, since around 1790. Since then this rare small tree has only been grown in arboretums and private collections.
We have managed to grow this rarity successfully in the nursery where we have been rewarded with cup shaped fragrant white flowers in September and October. The flowers are followed by a spectacular autumn show of yellow and purples in the dropping leaves.
However we have singularly failed to establish franklinia in the garden here and have witnessed several expensive failures. We put this down to our high rainfall and wet winters. We know that this plant will grow better in drier counties where summers are hotter to ripen the new growth. The tree needs to be grown in full sun in a sheltered woodland glade. Well grown trees can be seen in the Savill Gardens near Windsor where they flower well after a hot dry summer.
