Mountain Gordlinia is an uncommon, fast growing hybrid shrub or small tree developed in 2003 by Ranney and Fantz of the Department of Horticultural Science at North Carolina State University. It is a cross between Franklinia alatamaha and Gordonia lasianthus. Taking the best traits from the parent plants x Gordlinia grandiflora grows more vigorously and has larger flowers than either parent. The flowers resemble those of the camellia. It's large, showy, sweetly fragrant white flowers appear in mid summer and last through September. It is semi-evergreen, dropping some of its leaves in the fall, but does have some red-orange fall color on the remaining leaves. Plant it as a specimen or a near a patio where its fragrance can be enjoyed. It can be grown as a large, multi-stemmed shrub or as a small tree. Pruning during winter dormancy by removing crossed branches will help to maintain the plants' health. Does best when protected from direct afternoon sunlight. Morning sun with afternoon shade is preferred. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious issues.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheFranklinia alatamahaHydrangea quercifolia 'Alice'Hydrangea quercifolia 'Flemygea'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Perennial; Shrub; Tree
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12-24 feet
NC region
Coastal; Piedmont
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
2 - Understory
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Multi-stemmed
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Semi-evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Sheath
Leaf shape
Lanceolate
Leaf margin
Serrate; Undulate
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf size
> 6 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The foliage is a dark green above and lighter green on the underside. The simple, narrow, lanceolate leaves are 4"-8" long with wavy, serrate margins. Older leaves will turn shades of red, orange and plum in the fall.
Fall color
Orange; Red/Burgundy
Flower color
White
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower form
Head
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
3-6 inches
Flower detail
Mildly sweet fragrance, showy 5"cupped to flat white flowers with yellow centers that resemble camellias. Bloom from July-September.
Bloom time
Summer
Stem detail
Can be grown as a multi-stemmed shrub.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Southeastern USA
Wildlife value
The fragrance attracts honey bees and butterflies.