When being asked to give another lecture at the Philadelphia Flower Show a decade ago of course I said yes. I had always wanted to visit Bartram’s Garden – the oldest surviving botanical garden in America. It did not disappoint the gardener or historian in me!

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The Franklinia (Franklinia alatamaha) is their signature tree but was found by John and his son, William Bartram, growing in a small grove in southern Georgia in 1765. A year later, William returned to gather seeds. It had never been found in the wild since.

All current Franklinia are descended from those grown by the Bartrams. It was named to honor John Bartram’s great friend, Dr. Benjamin Franklin. Large and fragrant white flowers bloom in late summer; the early fall leaves of red and orange are striking!

It grows about 30’ high and wide. In the tea family, this tree requires full sun; it thrives in Zones 7 (Philadelphia) and 6 (Hudson Valley of New York State).

It took many years, but I found one thanks to the Catskill Native Nursery – not far from Mohonk Mountain House. What a fabulous place to visit! The staff are very knowledgeable and nice and all their plant labels explain the plants’ growing needs!

https://catskillnativenursey.com

Franklinia alatamaha is not native to New York but attracts bees. Its large, fragrant, white, camellia‑like flowers
with golden centers bloom from July through September. providing a valuable nectar source when many other trees have finished flowering. This makes it especially useful for supporting pollinators in the late growing season. Hummingbirds may visit for nectar,