Saturday October 24th, 2026 | 1pm
Choose-Your-Price $30 – $5
Some trees are rare. The Franklin tree is more than rare, it’s a riddle! Last seen in the wild along Georgia’s Altamaha River in the early 1800s, Franklinia alatamaha survives today only because William Bartram gathered seeds in the 1770s and named his find for family friend Benjamin Franklin.
In this class, Brent Martin will trace the tree’s trail from riverbank to extinction and back again, while also discussing Franklinia’s native relatives, the Mountain Camellia (Stewartia ovata) and the coastal Silky Camellia (Stewartia malacodendron).
First pick of Franklin trees. After the talk, attendees get this year’s only access to our limited quantity of Franklin trees for sale, with their fragrant white summer blooms and fiery fall foliage. There’s no need to buy one to enjoy the class, but if you’ve been hoping to grow one, this may be the only place in North Carolina to find them in 2026.
A good fit for native plant growers, history buffs, and anyone curious about how a single seed collection saved a species.
Brent Martin is co-owner of Alarka Expeditions, and the former executive director of the Blue Ridge Bartram Trail Conservancy. His expertise in native plant propagation and botanical history makes him uniquely qualified to share both the fascinating story and practical growing advice for these exceptional trees.