Love-lies-bleeding Seeds (Amaranthus caudatus). Harvested from the gardens at Monticello.When Thomas Jefferson noted "amarenths" on an 1806 list of flowers, he was likely referring to Love-Lies-Bleeding, a curious summer annual cultivated by the earliest American flower gardeners. Its common name suggests the unusual, cascading red flowers, that droop 12-24" down, and can be cut for fresh or dried arrangements.Direct sow seeds outdoors after the last spring frost. Alternatively, start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks... - Love-lies-bleeding Seeds (Amaranthus caudatus).
Love-in-a-Mist Seeds (Nigella damascena). Harvested from the gardens at Monticello.Love-in-a-Mist has been grown in gardens since the late 16th century. This self-seeding, cool-season annual produces handsome blue, white, or pink flowers amidst the delicate, lacy foli... - Love-in-a-Mist Seeds (Nigella damascena).
Strawflower Seeds (Helichrysum bracteatum). Harvested from the gardens at Monticello.Strawflower, a half-hardy annual that withstands light frosts, was introduced from Australia to England in 1799, and has since been treasured for its everlasting flowers that are ideal for dr... - Strawflower Seeds (Helichrysum bracteatum).
Heliotrope Seeds (Heliotropium arborescens). Harvested from the gardens at Monticello.In 1786, as he was serving as Minister to France, Thomas Jefferson sent a collection of seeds and plants home to friends, including the lovely purple-flowering Heliotrope: "To be sowed in spr... - Heliotrope Seeds (Heliotropium arborescens).
Sesame Seeds (Sesamum indicum). Harvested from the gardens at Monticello.Thomas Jefferson planted Sesame, or "Benni", for many years at Monticello in order to press a salad oil from the seeds. He wrote in 1811, "I did not believe there existed so perfect a substit... - Sesame Seeds (Sesamum indicum).
Larkspur Seeds (Consolida ajacis). Harvested from the gardens at Monticello.Jefferson noted Larkspur blooming at Shadwell in July 1767, thought it suitable for naturalizing at Monticello "in the open ground on the west" in 1771, and sowed seed around his winding flower bor... - Larkspur Seeds (Consolida ajacis).
Champion of England Pea Seeds (Pisum sativum cv.). Harvested from the gardens at MonticelloMoney Plant, or Honesty, is a self-seeding biennial named for it's showiest feature--its 2-foot stalks of silvery, coin-shaped seedpods, which are attractive in dried arrangements. It wa... - Champion of England Pea Seeds (Pisum sativum cv.).