Plant Profile: x Gordlinia grandiflora 'Sweet Tea'

As if ×Gordlinia grandiflora, a rare hybrid between Franklinia and Gordonia, wasn’t already intriguing, the ‘Sweet Tea’ variety stands out as a polyploid form, possessing additional sets of chromosomes. The name ‘Sweet Tea’ reflects its lineage in the tea family, its delicately sweet-scented flowers, and its Southern roots, where sweet tea is a cultural staple. While it may not be the hardiest tree, it thrives best in a well-drained location with consistent moisture. Although it shows some resistance to Phytophthora, it can still be somewhat particular about its growing conditions.

This tree flourishes in full sunlight or with a bit of afternoon shade, provided it doesn’t become too dry. It deserves a prominent spot in any landscape as a standout specimen. It can easily propagate from stem cuttings and typically reaches a mature height of 20 to 30 feet. Notably, it is neither patented nor trademarked.

Potential issues include wilt and root rot, making it a somewhat challenging tree to cultivate.

For further details on ×Gordlinia grandiflora, please refer to additional resources.