I planted a few of these trees in the past while working with a landscaper friend of mine. Everything you describe sounds accurate. Late flowering, less than 30' when mature, large white flowers.

If I remember correctly, the tree likes a lot of water. It grew natively along the swampy bog like areas along the Alatamaha river in Georgia. It has since become extinct in the wild. Seems like I remember something about the tree having a reaction to being planted around cotton also, that may not be accurate though.

Doug,
I3

Thanks Frank for an introduction to "new" tree. I did a bit of research on the web, and it seems this tree is rather particular about it's envrions. See information below. It's origins are from a river area in GA as an understory tree, and so thrives in shade. One vendor's website had the following to say about Franklinia: "Franklinia is perhaps the most demanding plant to grow that we offer. It insists on moist soil at all times, never drying out, yet drainage must be excellent to avoid root rot. Light shade in hot-summer areas, and shelter from wind where winter temperatures fall below 0?F will also help. For both its historical and natural attributes, Franklinia deserves a place of honor in any garden."

I concur, and I love a good challenge. It seems this tree vanished in the wild around 1803, and the only surviving trees were the ones propagated by the two American Botanists who discovered and named the tree after his good friend Benjamin Franklin, hence the name. All the trees of today's stock are descendants of those propagated trees. Here's a great link about the fascinating history of this tree, as well as a sources for retail purchase. http://www.bartramsgarden.org/franklinia/

Here is a link that might be useful: bartramsgarden.org - Franklinia History

I've got one, but it's a baby. For a demanding tree, it survived just fine all last year through total neglect and a gallon pot. :-)

You might want to check out the posts on Franklinia over on the Botany Forum. Several posters give their experience growing this lovely tree. josh

Josh...thanks for the heads up on the Botany Forum. Lots of good information there. I have a shady spot in the back yard that seems just perfect for a Franklinia. Now to order....

Cheekwood Botanical Garden in Nashville has some of these trees. Cheekwood is a great, underused source of info on all kinds of plants. You should check it out, if you havent' been there.