[1] NC State Extension — Franklinia alatamaha (Franklin Tree), North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/franklinia-alatamaha/
[1a] "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."
[1b] "It typically grows to 25 feet tall and 15 feet wide so it is a versatile small flowering tree."
[1c] "It will bloom from mid-summer until the first frost with large, showy, fragrant white flowers."
[1d] "Ideal growing conditions include full sun, with some afternoon shade the summer, and acidic soil that is moist and well-drained."
[1e] "Do not plant where cotton has been grown as there is a pathogen that affects cotton that also affects Franklin trees."
[1f] "In general, this tree has a reputation for being difficult to grow."
[2] Bartram’s Garden — Growing and Caring for the Franklinia: https://www.bartramsgarden.org/franklinia/
[2c] "Franklinia blooming in the Common Flower Garden by the Historic Bartram House."
[3] Wikipedia — Franklinia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franklinia
[3a] "It has been extinct in the wild since the early 19th century, but survives as a cultivated ornamental tree."
[3b] "The tree was last verified in the wild in 1803 by the English plant collector John Lyon (although there are hints it may have been present into at least the 1840s)."
[3c] "Franklinias are a desirable understory plant for their large Camellia-like flowers and bright fall color."
[4] National Park Service, Independence National Historical Park — Franklinia: https://www.nps.gov/places/franklinia.htm
[4a] "Franklinia trees are extinct in the wild, so all Franklinia today, including this one, come from seeds and stems collected by the Bartrams and cultivated at their garden in West Philadelphia."
[5] Bartram’s Garden (John Bartram Association) — Franklinia alatamaha, A History of That “Very Curious” Shrub, Bartram Broadside, Winter 2000 (Joel T. Fry): https://www.bartramsgarden.org/wp-content/uploads/Franklinia-Broadside-Spring-2000.pdf
[5a] "John and William Bartram discovered that “rare and elegant flowering shrub,” Franklinia alatamaha, October 1, 1765, after losing their way to the crossing of the Altamaha River at Fort Barrington in southeast Georgia."
[5b] "Sometime during the late spring or summer of 1776 William Bartram revisited the Altamaha River. He returned to the remnant natural population of Franklinia, east of Fort Barrington, expressly to collect seed"
[5c] "William definitely brought seed back to his father’s garden when he returned to Philadelphia in January 1777."
[5d] "which we have honoured with the name of the illustrious Dr. Benjamin Franklin."
[5e] "Franklinia alatamaha is the signature tree of John and William Bartram’s botanical accomplishments, as well as of their living legacy, Historic Bartram’s Garden."
Garden location: Bartram’s Garden, Philadelphia, PA: https://www.bartramsgarden.org/franklinia/