THE RARE FRANKLINIA 
(FRANKLINIA ALATAMAHA—GORDONIA ALATAMAHA) 
This exquisite fall flowering tree was brought in 1777 from the banks 
of the Altamaha River in Georgia to Bartram’s garden at Philadelphia. 
John Bartram recognizing its extraordinary beauty and value, named it 
in honor of his life-long friend, Benjamin Franklin. 
The original grove of Franklin trees was again visited in 1790, but 
from that day to this no one has seen these trees growing in the wild 
though many expeditions have searched the banks of the Alatamaha for. 
it. 
Franklin’s tree is beautiful in detail and marvelous in landscape effect 
besides blooming at a season when few shrubs or trees are in flower. 
The slender trunk and graceful branches are so muscular and sinewy 
in appearance that one almost expects motion as under a greyhound’s 
skin. The bark is smooth and dark gray, with wavering lengthwise 
markings of lighter color. 
Each twig develops at its tip a cluster of buds of graduated size, like 
overgrown greenish pearls. Early in August the largest of these attain 
the size of marbles. Then the guard petal folds back, still retaining its 
firm spherical form. From its shelter emerge four other petals, satiny, 
snowy white, elaborately frilled and pleated. The snowy, frilly chalice, 
three inches in diameter, holds a sumptuous mass of orange gold stamens 
and breathes forth a delicate, balmy fragrance. 
Each flower lasts two or three days and then drops cleanly. There is a 
constant succession of bloom till hard frost. We frequently get the un- 
usual effect of a tree clad in crimson autumn foliage and abundantly 
starred with white flowers. 
The Frankliniana begins blooming when not more than three or four 
feet high. Young trees under favorable conditions increase in height a 
foot or more each season. Specimens thirty feet high are known. It de- 
velops naturally with several trunks, but may easily be trained to a 
single trunk by removing the sprouts which start from the base. 
Franklinia prefers full sun and has proven entirely hardy about New 
York and hardy in favorable locations about Boston. It is an especially 
desirable tree for the small intimate garden, loved and lived in. It is a 
charming lawn tree and the grass may be allowed to grow closely about 
its trunk. It also thrives when planted by pools, lakes and streams. Its 
light elegance of form and color contrasts exquisitely with the dark 
green of conifers. 
NICE YOUNG TREES UP TO 2 FT. HIGH 
$3.00 each; 2 for $5.00 

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8 Colorful New $9.00 5 Spectacular New 5] 69 
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(See Page 8) (See Page 3) 
