PLANT OF THE WEEK: FRANKLINIA

PLANT of the WEEK       FRANKLINIA

Many United States Ambassadors should have a plant named after them.

Saving millions of lives over the years of our proud history little formal recognition is given to them and their families. Many can make a case that Benjamin Franklin besides being our first is thought of as one of our best. He certainly was the first to have a plant formally which was named after him in 1785.

Franklinia alatamaha is known to have a life expectancy of 100 years. A unique species, found in a small idyllic area in Georgia it has not been seen in the wild for nearly 100 years. Thanks to Mr. Franklin’s widespread net of friends we can still enjoy it. As a Theaceae family member we can still brew a batch and consider this incredible man and the heritage he has left for us to honor.

Intrigued by the plethora of natural elements here in North America and being discovered rapidly all over the World by Western Explorers chronicled and formally described and used delineation to share their discoveries.  The more common the plant, the more names it would have. In some cases the same plant might have hundreds of tribal and regional names. Carl Linnaeus, a proud Swede, took up a dream and stayed with it to create a system accepted in 1740’s and used ‘til this day. Thought of as Latin by many, it in fact is its own language that( the opposite of dead), changes daily as new discoveries are made. Franklin had an amazing collection of submissions mailed to him by friends.

In some measure Franklin does not get proper credit for modern Hurricane predictions. His mail delivery system included many letters to him from friends up and down the East Coast. 2 million plus lived there during the mid to late 18th Century. The discovery and acceptance of the 3 foot Mercury Barometer had just happened. He received reports of natural discoveries and descriptions of weather which included Barometer readings. He put together the readings of lowering pressure with storm drama and easing of same with rising readings. This knowledge shared with the Nation has helped preparation save many. Recent storms have pointed out how far we have slipped away from real science and planning, leaving it to pathetic lifeboat chasing regulator responses based on politics. Perhaps we should push for honoring his love of science and country by planting in his honor. A fellow talented enough to get Britain to throw France out of our country and then be instrumental in throwing Britain out too by using France as our strongest supporter, while figuring out Hurricanes, is the kind of fellow to admire. Smears of Clinton like allegations have not stood up, instead his dedication to wife and family were real. Desperate for real individuals like him we should asses those among us now and study those who have served us nobly as Ambassadors.

It is easy to criticize Ambassadors by the agenda driven “experts”. Portrayed by many as lifetime government hacks or “Large Donors Only Need Apply” the either or mindset falls apart after study. Failure has occurred, the Kennedy patriarch went from being a bootlegger success story to our Ambassador to Great Britain. FDR listened for a while to him say the Hitler’s Germany had won and we should distance ourselves from England. While he fits the negative dumb donor deal maker perfectly, who replaced him? The opposite, a Republican whose command of intelligence, negotiation and reality, Ambassador Winant was the man. Churchill claimed he was the most important person in the country. His fear of the rise of Communism, illness and poor lady friend choice led to his suicide in 1947. His service to us and the world from 1941 to 1946 needs broad recognition. This author did not know him well as he took his life away only a month before mine was given to me.

My hometown has been a place for nurturing Ambassadors for Centuries. Certainly my favorite is Joseph Verner Reed III Appointed by another Townie ( George H.W.Bush) out of a sense of deep trust and confidence. His service in Morocco to our country in the tumultuous Middle East is underappreciated. The time there saw the calming of tensions among native populations after Centuries of deadly strife. His and his family’s dedication to service needs more attention. Decades long it still continues through many channels including the U.N. The effectiveness of individuals and their families has a long and proud list.

Consider Ambassador Strauss, he represented the true depth of our Democracy in Moscow as the Soviet Empire dissolved and transformed the region and the World from underlying Cold War threat to a brief period of peace before the Terrorism War commenced. There in the single party country at the critical phase towards freedom was a strong Democrat appointed by a Republican.

My personal interaction with our Ambassadors and their families while in Eastern Europe in 1991 affects me continually. Those States along the Danube, then just recently freed from the Moscow yoke, saw their environmental assets as their treasures again for the first time in the 20th Century. Previous occupiers from Austria to Turkey and Germany interrupted centuries of wise stewardship. Who did they look to for leadership? Our Embassies in many respects caused the peaceful transition. Not just “policies” but one on one interaction with the families representing us on a day to day basis.

Currently underway is my project to create the first Ambassadors Museum United States of America. It begins with a Digital Library and may in time have a 3rd dimension location. Meanwhile research and input continues through study and collection of stories and memorabilia. Included at the physical location will be a Garden of Peace with varieties and species from all over the World. Honoring the individuals and families who have saved millions and millions of lives is the least we should do.

Helping have a plant named after them will assure a real toast to them. If it had not been for the Honorable Ambassador Franklin’s friends the Bartrams, the Frankliana would be no more. Consider studying and honoring the most dignified among us. Action out of respect can be very much more satisfying than action out of fear. These real hero families sacrificed greatly to save lives including many of our own. Celebrating their success is the least we can do. Linnean approval included !

Participation in the founding of the Ambassador Museum United States of America starts with sharing your stories at petera@sitedesignassociates.com

Franklinia is a beautiful large shrub that blooms late in the year. It requires special attention and care.

The pride we should share of our Ambassadors needs planning, planting and thoughtful care and attention too.