October 24, 1914 



H K T I C U L T TJ E E 



579 



Gordonia Altamaha 



This is probably one of the least known of our small 

 trees, and yet it stands among the most beautiful of our 

 native plants. In habit of growth and in the leaf the 

 Gordonia, or as it is sometimes called, Franklinia, is 

 not unlike a magnolia, although in the flower it more 

 nearly re^^embles a camellia. Furthermore, it is espe- 

 cially valuable on account of its late flowering period; 

 plants being in bloom at the present time in the Arnold 

 Arboretum. 



The Gordonia is of a rather upright habit, forming a 

 well shaped head. It is a member of the Tea family, 

 Theaceae. Its finely crenate, lance-obovate leaves are of 

 the color of the leaves of Magnolia acuminata, but are 

 whitish-downy beneath. Tlie fragrant flowers are borne 

 on the ends of the branches on short, stout peduncles. 

 They are pure satiny white, about two and one-half 

 inches in diameter and bowl shaped at their best, later 

 becoming flatter as the flower ages. The stamens are 

 bright golden yellow and are placed directly on the 

 petals, where they form a tuft perhaps a half an inch or 

 more in diameter, making a beautiful combination of 

 color against the pure white of the petals. The pod is 

 globular, light green and covered with a wliitish down. 



This plant was first discovered in Southern Georgia, 

 from whence it was introduced into Europe in 1744, and 

 named by Dr. Garden in honor of his "old master Dr. 

 James Gordon," and by Ellis it was dedicated to a Lon- 

 don nurseryman of the same name. This nurseryman 

 appears to have been a contemporary of Phillip Miller. 

 It was called Franklinia in honor of Dr. Franklin. Dur- 

 ing the past hundred years it has not been foimd in a 

 wild state, although much searched for. This fact 

 makes it not only a rare and valuable tree, but one which 

 should be more propagated and kept, lest it be lost en- 

 tirely to future generations. 



In the vicinity of Philadelphia there are several trees 

 growing in the open without protection, but north of 

 that point its hardiness cannot be wholly depended upon. 

 In protected situations, however, I see no reason why 

 we of the north cannot enjoy its exquisite beauty, pro- 

 vided, of course, we give it protection. In the Arnold 

 Arboretum the plants receive part shelter from the other 

 plants which are planted about them, and came through 

 the winter of 1913-1914 when so many other beautiful 

 things perished. 



The Gordonia may be propagated from layers or from 



Gordonia altamaha 

 Bloomiuij in .\rnoIcl Arbovetum, October 11, 1914. 



seeds, and will thrive in a peaty soil, or in leafmold and 

 sand. It is well worth much care and devotion and it 

 is to be hoped that as it becomes better known it will be 

 more often used in the plantings on private and public 

 estates and be more fully appreciated. 



I would add that the photograph here shown was taken 

 in the Arnold Arboretum on October 11th, 1914, after 

 there had l^een one or t^'o severe frosts which killed 

 nearly all the annuals in this vicinity. 



^-—-^ — V, 



■Jamaica Plain, Mass. 



that are inseparable. These are legitimate subjects of 

 discussion and to this extent it is not possible to talk 

 business without talking war. We have been shown a 

 communication from one of the leading azalea producers 

 in Belgium stating that the last of his shipments to 

 America had been packed and started, while fighting was 

 going on all around, and that he and his family were then 

 fleeing from their ruined home, to go they knew not 

 whither. When or under what conditions these indus- 

 trious people of "plucky little Belgium" will be able to 

 return to their peaceful employments no one knows. But 

 in the meantime what of the great horticultural indus- 

 tries which they have built up and what of our needs in 

 this respect for the coming years? As far as we can 

 learn, practically all the import orders for Belgian plants 



for this fall's delivery are either already here or on their 

 way, more or less delayed and in varying condition in 

 consequence. The future can only be conjectured, but it 

 must undoubtedly bo some years before former systems 

 are resumed, and at this juncture would it not be possi- 

 ble to induce these refugees — these skilled cultivators, to 

 make their new home here, to re-establish their business 

 in a country of peace, with the assurance of a market for 

 their products, unlimited in its possibilities of develop- 

 ment? Suitable locations and working capital would 

 readily be found. There has been no end of talk in the 

 past about the promotion of home industry in horticul- 

 tural products. Here is a chance to do something 

 besides talk and an equally promising opportunity may 

 never come our way again. 



