Cardinal Flower Seeds (Lobelia cardinalis). Harvested from the gardens at Monticello. The brilliant scarlet-colored flower of this summer-blooming North American species was considered the finest red in nature upon its introduction to Europe in 1629. Cardinal Flowers grow in moist woodland areas of Monticello, although the seed Thomas Jefferson sowed in a Monticello oval flower bed in 1807 was probably obtained from Philadelphia nurseryman Bernard McMahon. Jefferson-documented: Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) was documented by Thomas... - Cardinal Flower Seeds (Lobelia cardinalis).
Great Blue Lobelia Seeds (Lobelia siphilitica). Great Blue Lobelia has been grown in American flower gardens since at least the beginning of the 19th century, and many Native American tribes used this native wildflower for a variety of medicinal purposes. It produces elegant spires of blue f... - Great Blue Lobelia Seeds (Lobelia siphilitica).
Blanket Flower Seeds (Gaillardia aristata). As the Lewis and Clark Expedition crossed the Continental Divide on July 6th, 1806, this showy native species was collected. Blanket Flower blooms from summer through autumn, with yellow ray florets sometimes tinged red at the base&... - Blanket Flower Seeds (Gaillardia aristata).
Pincushion Flower Seeds (Scabiosa atropurpurea). When Thomas Jefferson requested roots and bulbs of the "Mourning bride" from his neighbor, Isaac Coles, in 1811, he may have been referring to the Pincushion Flower. Also known as Mourning Bride because of its association with griev... - Pincushion Flower Seeds (Scabiosa atropurpurea).
Hyssop Seeds (Hyssopus officinalis). Hyssop was well-established in English gardens by the 1400's, and was brought to America by early colonists. Thomas Jefferson listed Hyssop among plants for his kitchen garden in 1794. Sometimes used as an edging plant for gardens, this s... - Hyssop Seeds (Hyssopus officinalis).
Sage Seeds (Salvia officinalis). Sage was a standard in kitchen gardens from colonial times, and Thomas Jefferson listed it for the Monticello garden in 1794. This culinary Mediterranean shrub, grown since the 13th century, was thought to prolong life. It's soft&co... - Sage Seeds (Salvia officinalis).
Foxglove Seeds (Digitalis purpurea). Foxglove, a showy biennial bearing spires of deep pink tubular flowers in late spring and early summer, was grown in American gardens by 1735, and likely became more common after its medicinal properties were discovered in the late ... - Foxglove Seeds (Digitalis purpurea).