Extinct in the wild since 1803. Alive only because two men paid attention. Franklinia alatamaha is the most poignant tree in American botanical history, a small flowering tree with white camellia-like flowers and brilliant red fall color that was found growing wild along a small stretch of the Altamaha River in Georgia by John and William Bartram in 1765 and has not been seen in the wild since 1803. Every Franklin Tree alive today descends from seeds and cuttings collected by the Bartrams in the late 18th century. The species would be completely extinct were it not for their foresight and care. It is one of the most beautiful small flowering trees available in temperate horticulture, simultaneously a living botanical curiosity and a genuine conservation responsibility. If you are looking to buy Franklin Tree seeds or grow Franklinia from seed, you are participating in the preservation of a species that exists only because two men decided it was worth saving. Extinct in the wild since 1803, every living Franklin Tree descends from Bartram collections White, camellia-like flowers in late summer after most other flowering trees have finished Brilliant scarlet fall color often appearing simultaneously with the late flowers One of the rarest and most sought-after collector trees in temperate horticulture A genuine conservation responsibility, cultivated plants are the only population of this species on Earth Things you probably did not know about the Franklin Tree No one knows why it disappeared from the wild. The wild population of Franklinia alatamaha was never large, occupying only a few acres along the Altamaha River in Georgia. When Moses Marshall visited the site in 1790 he found the population declining. By 1803 no one could find wild plants. The cause of the extinction is unknown. Theories include fungal root disease similar to Phytophthora, habitat alteration from colonial settlement, or natural rarity that made the population unsustainable. The mystery remains unsolved. It was named for Benjamin Franklin. John Bartram named the genus in honor of his close friend Benjamin Franklin, one of the most significant scientific and political figures of the American founding era. The species name alatamaha refers to the Altamaha River where it was found, tying the tree directly to a specific place and moment in early American history. It blooms when almost nothing else does. Franklinia is the most cold-hardy member of the Theaceae family and the only one that reliably blooms in late summer to early fall in temperate climates. Its camellia-like white flowers appear at a time when most flowering trees are long finished, giving it a unique role in the seasonal garden. Seed viability depends heavily on freshness and handling. Franklinia seeds can be unpredictable, and germination rates vary widely depending on how recently the seeds were harvested and how they were stored. Seeds sourced from botanical collections often perform better. Proper cold stratification and patience are key to success. Growing Details Botanical Name: Franklinia alatamaha Stratification: Required, 90 to 120 days cold moist stratification USDA Zones: 5 to 8 Soil: Well-drained, moist, acidic, rich in organic matter, similar to rhododendron requirements Light: Full sun to partial shade Height: 10 to 25 feet Spread: 6 to 15 feet Growth Rate: Slow to moderate, 6 to 18 inches per year Plant it knowing what it represents. Every Franklin Tree in cultivation is an act of preservation for a species that would otherwise exist only in herbarium specimens and historical records.
