Schimlinia
×Schimlinia 'Schima Lina Ding Dong'
Pickup currently unavailable at Aiken Nursery
A modern Franklin tree with year-round presence and late-summer perfume. ×Schimlinia 'Schima Lina Ding Dong' is a rare intergeneric hybrid bred to capture the romance of the lost Franklin tree while adding real garden durability. Raised by the Mountain Crop Improvement Lab at NC State, the selection crosses Franklinia alatamaha, the legendary Georgia native long gone from the wild and famous for luminous white flowers, with Schima remotiserrata, a broadleaf evergreen of the tea family from Asia. The result is an elegant evergreen carrying fragrant, white, camellia-like blooms in late summer, just when the garden most wants a fresh highlight.
The flowers are the event. Clusters of pure white blooms with a boss of golden stamens open from late summer into early fall, drawing pollinators and passing noses alike, and early trials report heavier bud set and more abundant bloom than either parent. Glossy, deep green foliage keeps the plant dressed the year round in mild climates, holding evergreen to semi-evergreen depending on winter severity, so the shrub earns a place in leaf as much as in flower.
The cross was made on purpose: Franklinia's beauty married to Schima's adaptability, an intentional pairing meant to improve vigor and cultural flexibility while keeping the classic white-flowered look. For the collector, the pedigree is part of the pleasure. ×Schimlinia is the nothogenus for Franklinia and Schima hybrids, first achieved at NC State as ×Schimlinia floribunda using Schima argentea; 'Schima Lina Ding Dong' is a newer cross using Schima remotiserrata, which keeps the refined form but adds broadleaf evergreen character and late-summer scent.
Set the plant as a specimen near a path, a patio, or an entry where the late-summer fragrance can be met at close range, and let the neat, upright, evergreen frame anchor a mixed border, a white garden, or a collector's planting. Give full sun to light afternoon shade, moist, acidic, well-drained soil, and enjoy a four-season plant with a genuine botanical story.
- Hardiness
- USDA Zones 7–9
- Sun
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Soil
- Well-drained, Moist
- Mature size
- Height 10–15 Feet · Spread 6–10 Feet
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Seasonality
- Semi-Evergreen
White, fragrant, camellia-like, late summer to early fall
From rooting to shipping, our top priority is ensuring you receive healthy, thriving plants for your garden’s success.
Because most of our plants are grown from rooted cuttings — alongside seed, air layering, and grafting chosen for each variety — you receive a stronger, true-to-type plant that establishes quickly in your garden.
Raised on organic soil blends and eco-friendly pest management — never harsh chemicals — your plant arrives healthy for your garden, your family, and the pollinators they feed.
Every purchase gives back. We donate to the Aiken Arboretum and support local wildlife conservation, so growing your garden helps protect the wider ecosystem too.
All our plant material is carefully propagated, grown, and nurtured at our humble nursery in Aiken, South Carolina.
Your plant arrives carefully packed and ready to settle in. Unpack them promptly, give them a day or two to acclimate, then plant following the notes we include — that’s all it takes. Clear care guidance comes with every order, so success is the easy part.
What to expect upon delivery
All our plants are sold in 1-gallon sizes, though the height of each plant can vary depending on its growth rate and seasonality, typically ranging from 1/2 to 2.5 feet.
Each plant is carefully packaged with its roots enclosed in a secure plastic bag containing moist soil, forming a compact root ball. To ensure safe transport, the box is padded with recycled newspaper, providing both stability and eco-friendly protection from weather during shipping.
What is your return policy?
Review our full return policy information on our SHIPPING AND RETURNS POLICY page.
What payment methods can I use?
We offer 35 different payment methods including major providers like Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, American Express and Diners as well as many different local payment methods including Klarna, iDEAL, AliPay, Sofort, giropay, and many more.
Can I make changes to my order after it’s been placed?
At Woodlanders, we strive to fulfill orders as quickly as possible. Therefore, we can only accommodate changes to your order within the first 24 hours after it has been placed. These changes include adding or removing products and modifying the delivery address. If you need to make any changes or if there has been a mistake with your order information, please reach out to us promptly via our CONTACT page with your order number for the quickest resolution.
Your satisfaction is our priority, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation.