Gordlinia grandiflora
$347.00 / 15G
Sweet Tea ·
Description
Gordlinia grandiflora, commonly known as Sweet Tea, is a herbaceous perennial valued for its white flowers. It typically matures 20–40 feet tall and 15–30 feet wide. Grow it in full sun to partial shade in average, well-drained garden soil. Its native range or documented parentage is cultivated intergeneric hybrid of Franklinia alatamaha and Gordonia lasianthus, both native to the southeastern United States. Its flowers can provide seasonal forage for bees and other beneficial insects. In the landscape, it works well in mixed borders, mass plantings, and pollinator gardens. Good siting and appropriate moisture help maintain its best form through the season.
Benefits
Strong flowers have a delicate, camellia-like aroma and a rare plant backstory customers can connect with. Gives color and visual interest right when much of the garden is winding down.
Features
Intergeneric hybrid small tree; glossy semi-large white camellia-like flowers from late summer into fall; Franklinia × Gordonia parentage
Usage/Use
Specimen tree, shade tree, street tree, wildlife planting
Native Range
Cultivated intergeneric hybrid of Franklinia alatamaha and Gordonia lasianthus, both native to the southeastern United States
| Gordlinia grandiflora | |
| Sweet Tea | |
| No | |
| Gordlinia is a rare intergeneric hybrid between Franklinia alatamaha, the extinct-in-the-wild Franklin tree, and Gordonia lasianthus, the Southern loblolly bay. It was developed at NC State to combine Franklinia’s cold tolerance and fall color with Gordonia’s vigor, creating a small tree with large, camellia-like white flowers and a mild sweet fragrance in late summer | |
| Best grown in full sun to part sun with average moisture. | |
| Full Sun to Part Sun; Average moisture; Deep, well-drained garden soil. Water regularly the first season, then adjust to plant preference. | |
| Garden origin / cultivated selection | |
| Non-Native | |
| Yes | |
| No |
| 15 gal | |
| 5 | |
| 7 - 9 | |
| Hardy in USDA Zones 5–9; protect roots during establishment. | |
| Full Sun | |
| Loam | |
| 6 - 8 | |
| 20 - 40 ft | |
| 15 - 30 ft | |
| Wide | |
| 15 - 30 ft |
| Yes | |
| On New Wood | |
| Mid-Summer | |
| None | |
| White | |
| White | |
| Green | |
| Green foliage | |
| Pollinators | |
| Woodland Edge of Savanna | |
| Cottage Garden | |
| Fragrant Flower | |
| Specimen | |
| None | |
| Upright | |
| Average | |
| Fall, Summer | |
| Summer | |
| Fall, Spring, Summer |
| Consistent | |
| Well-drained | |
| Water deeply during establishment; after established, water based on rainfall and soil moisture. | |
| Not Needed | |
| Medium | |
| Water regularly during establishment, mulch to conserve moisture, and cut back/prune at the proper seasonal time. |