Purple Calabash Tomato Seeds (Solanum lycopersicum cv.). Harvested from the gardens at Monticello. Thomas Jefferson was a pioneer in tomato culture, planting the relatively unfamiliar tomato from 1809 until his death in 1826. He also noted that "tomatas" were grown in Virginia gardens in Notes on the State of Virginia (1782). The culture of the ribbed and scalloped Purple Calabash Tomato dates to pre-Columbian Mexico. It is uniquely acidic, but with a rich and concentrated flavor. Delicious fresh, this tomato really shines in sauces and... - Purple Calabash Tomato Seeds (Solanum lycopersicum cv.).
Four O'Clock Seeds (Mirabilis jalapa). Harvested from the gardens at Monticello.In July of 1767 Thomas Jefferson observed the blooms of his Four O'Clocks: "Mirabilis just opened, very clever." In 1811 he noted planting seed sent by Andre Thouin of the Parisian Jardin des Plantes in ... - Four O'Clock Seeds (Mirabilis jalapa).
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.).