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| Franklinia |
Zones: 5, 6, 7, 8
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Franklinia is a handsome, well-shaped, single or multi-stemmed small tree with smooth gray bark and spreading open branches. It has 5 inch, oblong leaves that turn fiery red and orange inthe fall. Furthermore, in July and August, it has fragrant, 3 inch, 5 petaled, white, somewhat ruffled and cupped flowers with tufts of yellow stamens. This 10 to 25 foot tall tree is definitly a specimen kind of plant that deserves the most prominent planting place. The camelia-like flowers are stunning enough to stop traffic but the tree shape with its candelabra type branching and the great fall color are also outstanding. And if that's not enought to make you want one, then read about its interesting history; In 1770, John Bartram first discovered the tree growing along the Altamaha River in Georgia. He collected a few specimens for his garden and also gave some to his friend Ben Franklin for whom he later named the plant. And that was the last (and only) time the plant was seen in the wild. It is thought that a disease that killed cotton plants also wiped out the wild Franklinias. So all existing plants now are descendants of the original collection. Well, how do you grow it? This is one plant where proper siting and soil conditions are mandatory. Franklinia prefers full sun to light shade and moist, acidic, well drainied soil with a fairly high organic content. Given these conditions, it is a rapid grower and should reward you with year round beauty. Cat# 1263
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Available: 2009 or later
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| $15.00 each
in quart pots
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| X |
Native Plant |
X |
Good Fragrance |
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Butterfly Plant |
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Hummingbird Plant |
X |
Good Fall Color |
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Berries & Fruits |
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Deer resistant |
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| Ease of Culture |
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Easy |
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Not Too Hard |
X |
Difficult or Tricky |
| Evergreen |
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Yes |
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Semi |
X |
No |
| Plant Type |
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Wildflower |
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Shrub |
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Grass or grass-like |
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Perennial |
X |
Tree |
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Ground cover |
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Fern |
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Vine |
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| Light Exposure |
| X |
Full sun |
X |
Mostly sunny |
X |
Half and half |
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Full shade |
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Mostly shady |
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| Soil Condition |
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Sandy |
X |
Organic |
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Clay |
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Average |
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| Moisture Tolerance |
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Dry |
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Wet |
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| X |
Moist |
X |
Moderate |
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| Height |
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12" or less
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24" to 36" |
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12" to 24" |
X |
36" or taller |
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| Color |
| X |
White/whitish |
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Pink |
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Blue |
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Yellows |
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Rose |
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Green |
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Orange, coral |
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Violet |
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Brown |
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Peach, salmon |
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Lavender |
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Mauve |
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Red, scarlet |
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Purple |
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Tan |
| Bloom Time |
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Early spring |
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Early summer |
X |
Early fall |
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Mid spring |
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Mid summer |
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Mid fall |
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Late spring |
X |
Late summer |
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Late fall |
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We welcome your suggestions and comments. Please tell us how we can improve, or if there are other plants you wish we carried.
Copyright © 2003 - 2007 Sunlight Gardens. All rights reserved.
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