Presidents’ Day may be more than just a day off from school for children. The moment is right to inform our youngsters about our Founding Fathers’ contribution to agriculture. Even if a visit to Mount Vernon or Monticello for the Day is out of the question, planting a packet of George Washington or Thomas Jefferson heritage seeds is a great way to get people interested in gardening and American history.
Planting seeds for Monticello
Thomas Jefferson resided at Monticello for more than 50 years. Monticello, located outside Charlottesville, Virginia, has been designated a National Historic Landmark. The home, grounds, and plantation, which the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, Inc. owns, have been restored to their pre-Jeffersonian condition.
These lovely Monticello flower seeds could be of interest if you are seeking some of the same species that Thomas Jefferson grew:
- Bachelor’s Button — (Centaurea cyanus), The stunning blue blossoms of this perennial, often called cornflower, are around 1.5 inches (4 cm) in diameter on average.
- Blackberry Lily — (Iris domestica) The cluster of spear-like leaves gives way to six-petaled, orange blooms with crimson spots that may reach heights of 4 feet (1.2 meters).
- China Pink — (Dianthus chinensis) These flowers’ fringed petals were a border for Jefferson’s twisting flowerbeds. The biennial plant dianthus is often cultivated as an annual.
- Eastern Red Columbine — (Aquilegia canadensis) Eastern Red Columbine, a native of North America, features stunning red and yellow blooms with spurred forward petals.
- Mexican Prickly Poppy — (Argemone mexicana) The Mexican Prickly Poppy features leaves with deep lobes and prickles, giving it the appearance of a particular variety of thistles. The blossoms are a brilliant yellow and about 2.5 inches (6.3 cm) wide.
Plants grow on Monticello’s land in addition to flowers. Vegetables of all kinds were cultivated during the time of Thomas Jefferson. Consider sowing the following intriguing Monticello heritage seeds:
- Florence Fennel — (Foeniculum vulgare azoricum) This fennel variety that forms bulbs have a deep anise taste and a crisp texture similar to celery. Thomas Appleton imported the Florence fennel seeds for Jefferson from Italy in 1824.
- Lacinato Kale — (Brassica oleracea var. acephala cv.) In 1777, Jefferson’s vegetable garden included an Italian heritage type of kale. Lacinato is less bitter and has a more delicate taste than curly leaf types.
- West Indian Gherkins — (Cucumis anguria) These bite-sized gherkins, which Thomas Jefferson suggested to his brother in 1813, contain all the cucumbers taste without bitterness.
- Zatta di Massa Melon — (Cucumis melo cv.) Jefferson grew 18 hills of these old, deeply ribbed melons in 1774. The flesh is a bright orange hue and is very tasty.
Mount Vernon Seeds Production
It is no surprise that Mount Vernon is one of America’s most popular historic houses. The residence is surrounded by four gardens that include plant collections from around the world and the elegant mansion that George and Martha Washington built. Try planting some of the same plants and flowers that adorned our first president’s gardens:
- Boston Marrow Squash — (Cucurbita maxima “Boston Marrow”) It makes sense why this giant Hubbard-type heirloom was the most widely grown squash for nearly a century. Boston Marrow Squash was known as the “real pie squash” by seed merchants of the time due to its vibrant orange flesh.
- Broom corn — (Sorghum vulgare) This sorghum’s rough, fibrous seed head was employed to produce brooms during colonial times. While the Broom corn plant may grow to a height of 10 to 18 feet, ensure plenty of space above this heritage (3-5.5 m.).
- Fish peppers — (Capsicum annuum) The Fish pepper is an eye-catching plant in the food garden due to its variegated immature fruit and leaves. This variety of medium-hot chili has a distinguished history in African-American cooking.
- Love-Lies-Bleeding — (Amaranthus caudatus) Love-Lies-Bleeding is an interesting cottage-style flower with cascading scarlet blossoms that bloom from July till frost.
- Mangelwurzel — (Beta vulgaris ‘Mangelwurzel’) This kind of beet with almost foot-long roots was formerly utilized as animal feed. Mangelwurzels, which may be harvested in lesser quantities, can be mashed with butter and added to soups. This plant was first grown by George Washington in 1788.
- Silver Standard Tulip — (Tulipa’ Silver Standard’) The stunning red and white striped blossoms of the Silver Standard tulip are worth the six-year wait, even though this tulip can be cultivated from seeds.