Franklin tree, a small flowering tree in the tea family (Theaceae), native to Georgia, usualy grows with a single-trunk with an airy rounded crown but it can also be a multi-trunked shrub. It typically grows to 25 feet tall and 15 feet wide so it is a versatile small flowering tree. Ideal growing conditions include full sun, with some afternoon shade the summer, and acidic soil that is moist and well-drained. It will bloom from mid-summer until the first frost with large, showy, fragrant white flowers. Plant as a patio or specimen tree where the fragrance can be enjoyed or in the back of a border. Its stature makes it a good choice for small spaces. It can be difficult to transplant because of a sparsely fibrous root system, so plan well when choosing its planting location. This is a lovely tree but it can struggle in urban conditions and is intolerant of drought. Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: Sawflies do eat these trees. Do not plant where cotton has been grown as there is a pathogen that affects cotton that also affects Franklin trees. Wilt and root rot can also be serious problems. Consider planting in raised beds in areas with heavy clay. In general, this tree has a reputation for being difficult to grow.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
6-feet-12 feet; 12-24 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in. | Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Multi-trunked; Rounded
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Oblong; Obovate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
5" long glossy, narrow, oblong, green simple leaves with finely serrated margins, turn red, orange, and purple with fall color. The base is cuneate with a short petiole, and an acute apex. Leaves curl in a bit, are shiny, and have a thin linear reddish midvein on the top toward the base of the leaf. Undersides of leaves are lighter.
Fall color
Orange; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy
Flower color
Cream/Tan; White
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
3-6 inches
Flower detail
Sweetly fragrant; 3 in. white camellia-like flowers 5 cup-shaped petals with egg yolk yellow stamens late summer early fall. Flower buds are round with 2 wings on either side.
Bloom time
Summer
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit size
< 1 inch long
Fruit detail
Woody round dehiscent five valved capsule 1/2 to 1 inch that remains on the tree through the winter.
Bark color
Dark Gray; Light Gray
Bark detail
Smooth light gray vertical fissures or striations become rough and darker gray at the base as the tree matures.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Georgia, US
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall; Summer; Winter
Fruit type
Capsule
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Patio; Small Space
Landscape theme
Winter Garden
Design feature
Border; Flowering Tree; Small Tree; Specimen
Garden tags
#showy flowers #deciduous #specimen #fall interest #flowering tree #airy #small tree #winter interest #fragrant flowers #slow growing #drought tolerant #container plant #difficult to grow #border back #flowers early fall #flowers mid-summer #flowers late summer #patio