Trees, Shrubs and Conifers: Got a Franklinia...Wish me luck! Advice on care, anyone?, 1 by passiflora_pink

passiflora_pink wrote:
I found a 5 gallon 4-foot Franklinia at a local nursery for just $29.99. I have been wanting one for a long time. I read that it needs well-drained acidic soil. I had an eroded slope that over a couple of years I had built up with composted horse manure. It was an eyesore but now it is the best view I have in the springtime. I planted the Franklinia there and measured the pH; 6.2 once I backfilled it. I put old chopped oak leaves over it for mulch. Here is a photo of the site between the pink phlox you see on the ground and the fence (the red oak behind the fence was diseased and has been removed since last spring when I took this photo). The tree will get afternoon shade from a silver maple (twin trunks) uphill. It certainly is well-drained; I watered the hole for half an hour and still it didn't fill. Having read about this tree on DG I know it isn't the easiest to grow. So does anyone have any more sage advice? I really want it to live.

I haven't taken a pic of the tree yet but will once it breaks dormancy.