Rare plant flowers for the first time.

Franklinia is extinct in the wild since the 19th century. Originally from the Altamaha River valley in Georgia, USA. We had one flower in a heated greenhouse several years ago but never outside in the garden. Its seen amongst gardeners as a "difficult" plant to grow and flower. It needs full sun ideally sandy acid soil and doesn't tolerate, root disturbance, excessive moisture or compacted soil. I planted our one on the bank of the Ha-Ha in the centre of the garden.  

For several years we have have had flower buds that failed to open. But after several heatwaves and a long hot summer we finally have a flower. There are several more buds still to open. Add to the single white flower with its central boss of bright yellow stamens is very good, reliable autumn colour. This is helped by the summer making way for autumn and a notable temperature drop, usually Cornwall has a stable mild climate.