Spinning Gourd Seeds (Cucurbita pepo var. ovifera). In a letter to his granddaughter Ann Cary Bankhead, dated Dec. 29, 1809, Thomas Jefferson mentioned a present he had for her younger sister Mary from "Miss Thomasa |the minutest gourd ever seen." Jefferson sketched the gourd in the margin of his letter, the shape of which is identical to a diminutive heirloom variety from Primm Springs, Tennessee, known as the Tennessee Spinner or Dancing Gourd. This annual vine bears tiny, green striped gourds in abundance.... - Spinning Gourd Seeds (Cucurbita pepo var. ovifera).
Guinea Bean or Snake Gourd Seeds (Lagenaria siceraria var.). Harvested from the gardens at Monticello.A member of the bottle gourd tribe, Guinea Bean bears light green, cylindrical fruits up to 5' long with creamy-white flesh similar to squash. It was believed to originate from New Guinea, he... - Guinea Bean or Snake Gourd Seeds (Lagenaria siceraria var.).
Canada Crookneck Squash Seeds (Cucurbita moschata cv.). Canada Crookneck Squash has curved, bottle-shaped, thin-skinned fruits up to 12" long with nutty and sweet-flavored flesh. It is said to have originated from the Iroquois Nations and was first offered commercially in the 1830s. In Field a... - Canada Crookneck Squash Seeds (Cucurbita moschata cv.).
Green Striped Cushaw Winter Squash Seeds (Cucurbita mixta cv.). Harvested from the gardens at Monticello.Cushaws likely originated in the West Indies before 1700, and this heirloom is believed to be the same variety cultivated before 1860 as 'Improved Cushaw'. Thomas Jefferson cultivated numerous squashes a... - Green Striped Cushaw Winter Squash Seeds (Cucurbita mixta cv.).
Upper Ground Sweet Potato Winter Squash Seeds (Cucurbita moschata cv.). Harvested from the gardens at Monticello.This rare heirloom is a rugged variety that is tolerant of hot, dry weather, rendering it especially well-suited to the South. The vines are vigorous, with large, dark, metallic g... - Upper Ground Sweet Potato Winter Squash Seeds (Cucurbita moschata cv.).
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).