Franklinia

( frank - LIN - ee - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

Named for Benjamin Franklin and known commonly as Franklin Tree, this genus of deciduous trees includes one species which needs full sun to partial shade (the warmer the climate, the more shade it will need), and regular waterings for best performance. The monotypic genus is a member of the plant family Theaceae. These trees typically reach up to between 10 and 30 feet tall, and have an open, airy habit. Bark is gray with faint white striping; beautiful when admired from close-up. Leaves are glossy green and turn colors in fall. White fragrant blossoms bloom in late summertime, followed by small woody seed capsules. These trees make unusual lawn or patio trees, and are good when planted with other acid-loving underplantings such as Azalea and Rhododendron. These trees are extinct in the wild, now only cultivated in gardens.

Caring for franklinia

Choose a planting site in the landscape that receives at least 4-6 hours of direct sun each day. These trees can take full sun to partial shade, but will flower more profusely in sunny conditions. In areas that are particularly warm, these trees do like some afternoon shade during the warmest hours of the day. They prefer rich, acidic soil with a pH of between 5.5 and 6.5, and do not tolerate clay or alkaline soils very well. Amend soil with plenty of organic material before installing to ensure that substrate is well-draining. These trees can develop root rot issues if soil is too heavy or does not drain well. Apply a thick layer of mulch after planting to suppress weed growth, regulate soil temperature, and increase soil moisture retention. Young and newly planted trees will need to be watered frequently so that soil stays consistently moist while a strong root system develops. Mature trees need moist soil as well, and actually do well in areas that are close to waterways. Provide extra waterings during warm, dry spells.

Franklinia trees take a beautiful shape at maturity, and really do not need much in the way of pruning. They are low-maintenance trees, and are best pruned after flowering has finished in late summer to early fall. Avoid pruning these trees heavily, as this can reduce flowering in the next season. If trees are getting leggy, however, which is sometimes an issue if they are grown in too shady conditions, they can be rejuvenated by removing some of the oldest branches in late winter to early springtime. This will encourage a flush of new growth to be produced. Apply a yearly feeding with an organic compost in springtime to support the year's growth and flowering. These trees have a moderate life span, able to survive for 40 years or more (up to around a century) under ideal growing conditions. In gardens, they have shorter lives, though they can still grow for many decades before needing to be replaced.

Propagation

Franklinia can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. They are simple to grow from seed and will flower within 6-7 years after sowing seed. To propagate these rare trees, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Franklinia by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
In June or August, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.

Propagating Franklinia by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. The seed pods on are pretty easy to spot, they remain on branches once flowers and leaves have faded, opening up when mature to release their contents. There are typically between 6 and 8 seeds per pod. Collect as many as you can, and place them in a paper bag to bring inside. It can help to sometimes leave harvested pods in the paper bag to ripen if they have not fully opened up yet. Once seeds have been released, remove them from the bag to work with them.
Franklinia seeds can benefit from a cold-stratification period of at least 12 weeks. To complete this process, place the seeds in sealable container or plastic bag filled with moistened peat moss or sand. Place the container in the refrigerator for at least 12 weeks, and then remove. Take the seeds out of their bed and lay them out to dry.
Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 7-14 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home

Franklinia seed pods are left behind on bare branches once leaves have fallen. They will typically begin opening up to release seeds in October or November.