Trees, Shrubs and Conifers: Annual homage to another annoying plant, 4 by ViburnumValley

ViburnumValley wrote:
What\'s the latest on everyone\'s experiences with Franklinia alatamaha and/or the X Gordlinia hybrid?

This is prompted by the passing of the late Dr. Wesley Whiteside of Charleston, IL. He had an affinity for plants that shouldn\'t be grown on the prairies of Illiinois. He had quite a few long-lived specimens of Franklinia alatamaha - as well as more Magnolia macrophylla than you could shake a stick at.

Those of you unwilling to pull the trigger might take a lesson from this unassuming but tenacious gentleman who left an incredible botanical legacy to posterity - now managed by the nearby Eastern Illinois University.