2007
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY HISTORICAL MASSACHUSETTS Jefferson’s Horticultural Neighborhood: A Rational Society of Gardeners
HOMAS JEFFERSON is regarded as the “from dinner to dark I give to society and Tessential cerebral figure in American recreation with my neighbors and friends.” history. As well, he was so immersed One of the central themes that defined in public life, his family, farms, and a Jefferson’s interest in gardening was staggering world of outside interests that the union of gardening and sociability. his consistent search and cultivation of Jefferson used plants and gardens as a way personal friendships is a surprising facet of relating to friends, family, neighbors; of his personality. Jefferson wrote that even political allies. A thread of garden “Agreeable society is the first essential in gossip weaves its way through the letters constituting the happiness and of course published in Thomas Jefferson’s Garden the value of our existence.” He referred to Book, as Jefferson would preface letters on friendships as a “rational society” which the future of the American republic with “informs the mind, sweetens the temper, a discussion of how his gardens fared at cheers our spirits, and promotes health.” Monticello. Plants, from the golden rain This was expressed early in Jefferson’s tree obtained from seed from Lafayette’s youth and his close friendships with aunt, Madame de Tessé, to the geranium boyhood pals like John Page, William houseplant Jefferson offered to the Fleming, and Robert Skipwith. This Washington socialite, Margaret Bayard rational society based on a warm and open Smith, were tangible tokens of friendship. intellectual commerce was experienced by Jefferson’s granddaughter, Ellen Randolph Jefferson in Williamsburg with George Coolidge, recalled the heyday of flower Wythe, Governor Francis Fauquier, gardening at Monticello: Jefferson, his and William Small. Jefferson elevated daughters and granddaughters, would conversation to one of the fine arts in the assemble on the West Lawn to admire the salons of Paris, in dinner parties at the colorful displays of tulips and hyacinths. President’s House in Washington, and in She wrote, “When the flowers were in retirement at Monticello The University bloom, and we were in ecstasies over of Virginia was a way for Jefferson to the rich purple and crimson, or pure draw into his companionable orbit of white, or delicate lilac, or pale yellow of Thomas Jefferson’s Garden Book was not only a record of his activities in the intellectual sociability another group of the blossoms, how he would sympathize garden but a chronicle of his relationships with fellow gardeners. like-minded friends. Rational Society in our admiration, or discuss ... new was expressed by the free and easy flow groupings and combinations and contrasts. of conversation at the dinner table and Oh, these were happy moments for us and over wine after dinner: Jefferson wrote, for him.” 18 19 2007
no opportunity of getting new his garden.” She also Divers also provided seeds, choice roots, slips and observed how, “It was other plants to the gardens grafts and was most anxious sometimes laughingly said at Monticello. The first that his neighbors should enjoy by malicious people, that documented mention of the benefit of his acquisitions. whenever Mr. Jefferson tomatoes in the Monticello He had less the spirit of rivalry had any distinguished kitchen garden was the than any one I ever knew, and visitors of the bon-vivant result of a Divers gift in took the most genuine pleasure order, he always had them 809. One of Jefferson’s in the success of others, heartily invited to Farmington, as favorite dessert apples, enjoying the triumph of his furnishing rather a higher Esopus Spitzenburg, in friends where they were more specimen of Virginia good my opinion the finest J.A. FINELLI /SALVATORI CENTER FOR MAZZEI STUDIES fortunate than himself in the cheer than they found at eating variety of all time, cultivation of their grounds. Monticello.” Rives also Philip Mazzei plus novelty vegetables
TJF Several of his neighbors had recalled, “Everything about [Farmington] like crowder peas, Brussels sprouts, and Peas in the Monticello Vegetable Garden. better gardens and orchards than was fat except its owner ... the lima beans came from Divers. Two his own and with them he was horses ... The gardens, of which he had months before his death, in June of The pea contests held between particularly ready to share any prize in three equally well nurtured, produced 826, Jefferson sent Divers seeds of a Jefferson and his Charlottesville the way of roots, seeds or slips sent him every fruit and flower that a temperate three-foot-long cucumber: “to multiply neighbors were a poignant expression from a distance.” climate can bestow in rare perfection, chances of securing it, I send you 9. seeds, of the way in which Jefferson used Among those neighborhood friends and high brick walls fostered many that assured that nobody will be more likely plants as a vehicle for social intercourse. who “had better gardens and orchards” might have perished in a less genial to succeed than yourself.” Although The Jefferson family history held that than Jefferson’s at Monticello was situation.” Jefferson reputedly backed off in claims whoever harvested the first spring pea George Divers, who lived at Farmington, George Divers was not just a personal of pea contest victory, one cannot help
hosted a community dinner which now an exclusive country club west of friend who named his still-born, and TJF included a feast on the winning dish, Charlottesville. Judy Walker Rives, a only, child after the sage of Monticello, or teaspoon, of peas. George Divers, a close friend of the Divers family, wrote, but he served as a personal nurseryman wealthy merchant and owner of what “the nearest road to his heart was through for Jefferson. His gardens at Farmington is now Farmington Country functioned as a seed bank or safety net Club, was regarded as the “king” for the special plants initially introduced of the pea contest. The story into Albemarle County and planted passed down through the family by Jefferson that somehow perished at suggested that the one year Monticello. In 809 Divers sent Jefferson Jefferson won the pea contest the “early black eye pea which you he refused to divulge the victory brought from France,” perhaps twenty to Mr. Divers in fear of rocking years earlier. Seeds of Jefferson’s sea kale, the pride of what was probably obtained from Philadelphia nurseryman Jefferson’s closest personal friend Bernard McMahon, never germinated Sea kale is blanched under a terra cotta pot in the Monticello Vegetable Garden. outside the world of politics. in Monticello plantings in 809, 8, Jefferson was reputed to have 82, and 89, but in 820 Divers but hear some playful, mock-competitive stated, “No, say nothing about forwarded 400 plants to Jefferson, who banter in an 807 letter to Divers, “we it, it will be more agreeable to finally enjoyed harvests of this perennial had strawberries yesterday — when had our friend to think that he never cabbage-like species from 822-825. It you them?” One also senses some boyish fails.” must have been comforting for Jefferson one-upmanship when Divers would Jefferson’s reluctance to to have the skillful Divers backing up chide Jefferson for mixing up his pea claim the first pea was affirmed his experimental efforts at Monticello. varieties in 84. by a reminiscence of his oldest Sea kale, a perennial Peas were harvested at Farmington as Philip Mazzei (pronounced “Motts- granddaughter, Anne Cary VILMORIN- cabbage-like vegetable, early as late April, a testament to Divers’ ay”) was a multi-faceted Italian physician ANDRIEUX, was grown by Jefferson. Randolph: “Mr. Jefferson lost THE VEGETABLE horticultural wizardry. and gentleman farmer who also had a GARDEN, 1885 20 21 2007
profound effect Pisa, Cavol capuccio spagnola di Pisa, or with the Jefferson’s and was invited on the gardens ‘Costoluto Genovese’ Tomato Neapolitan watermelons, Cocomere di by Divers to the pea contest dinners. of Monticello. In Thomas Jefferson’s Notes on the State of seme Neapolitane. Never before had the Jefferson’s grandson, James Madison Born in l739 Virginia, written in 78, he listed tomatoes as Monticello dinner table included such a Randolph, was the first child born in the at Poggio-a- produce common to Virginia kitchen gardens. sophisticated array of gourmet vegetables. President’s House, and was delivered Caiano, near Jefferson began planting tomatoes at Monticello Jefferson’s exuberant compilation reflects during the visit of James Madison. No in 809, the first summer of his retirement, and Florence, both his friendship with Mazzei and individual outside the Jefferson family grew them until his death. Mazzei ITEM #60006 an enthusiasm for Italian culture that is mentioned more times in the Betts recruited $2.35 PACKET ‘Costoluto Genovese’ Tomato would persist throughout his lifetime. edition of Thomas Jefferson’s Garden ten Tuscan In addition, following Mazzei’s return book than James Madison — sixty-five vinedressers and For details and to order, visit our Web site or call: to Europe, two of his skilled workmen, times. enough Italian WEB: www.twinleaf.org Anthony Giannini and Govannini Jefferson and Madison shared a capital to sail PHONE: 800 243-743 di Prado, worked as gardeners in the passion for science, and the future GILBERT STUART, COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG FOUNDATION WILLIAMSBURG COLONIAL STUART, GILBERT
to the colony in TJF vineyards and orchards of Monticello. 773. The Mazzei party, burdened with The Gianninni name is still prominent in tools, vines, and grandiose visions of a the young republic in 779, where he the social and cultural life of Albemarle Mediterranean paradise on the Virginia became a vocal advocate of the patriot’s County. frontier, set off from Williamsburg for cause. Perhaps most importantly, Mazzei’s The Mazzei horticultural connection land in the Shenandoah Valley. They enthusiasm for grape growing and wine continued during the early years of the were waylaid, however, at Monticello making captivated Jefferson. Although Jefferson Presidency. In 80 Jefferson where Jefferson, smitten with the Mazzei’s grape growing and wine making asked Mazzei for “plants of good project and the ebullient Italian, offered experiments were generally inconclusive, fruit, and especially of peaches and them 93 acres of an adjacent property Mazzei’s Tuscan farmers planted the eating grapes.” Mazzei responded with Mazzei was later to enlarge to ,000 first vineyards at Monticello, described a series of shipments that contained acres and name Colle. Mazzei, with in painstaking detail by Jefferson in the both cuttings and seeds of grapes, plum, Jefferson, formed and participated in a Garden Book in 774. peaches, and apricots, many of which local militia, inspired Jefferson’s efforts Even if the loquacious Mazzei at were unknown in the United Station: at a state of Virginia constitution, and times tried Jefferson’s patience ( Jefferson Peach Apricot, “the finest fruit which wrote a four-volume history of the had once written that Mazzei’s arrival grows in Europe, according to Jefferson”), colonies (788). Mazzei’s philosophical would result in a “double quotidian head- Breast of Venus peach, and the Alberges allegiance to the ideals of the Revolution ach”), no Jefferson neighbor contributed and Vaga Loggia peaches. Mazzei also eventually brought him into the fold so much to the Monticello garden as sent the Apple peach, which he had of public, political life. He went to Mazzei did in 774. Jefferson’s 774 Garden never seen grown outside Italy and James Madison is mentioned many times in
Europe as an envoy of TJF Book included the Angelica apricot which Mazzei Thomas Jefferson’s Garden Book. the entry of had “baptised” or discovered himself. dozens of Italian Although Jefferson tried unsuccessfully Presidents traveled together on a botanical White Eggplant vegetables, or to start these seeds and cuttings in the excursion — a boys’ road trip — through Jefferson was growing the vegetable varieties Monticello nurseries, he gave most of upstate New York and New England in white eggplant along with a described in this propagating stock to a Washington 79. Although the two friends took boat purple variety in the Monticello Italian. Most nurseryman, Alexander Hepburn, who trips on Lake George and visited Fort Kitchen Garden in 82. Seed were new to successfully propagated some 40 Ticonderoga, Jefferson confessed, “We is available from the Center for Jefferson, such trees that were sent to and planted at were more pleased with the botanical Historic Plants. White as garlic from Monticello in 804. objects which continually presented ITEM #63034 Eggplant Tuscany, sorrel James Madison was an integral figure themselves.” Jefferson rhapsodized about $2.35 PACKET from Pisa, and in this rational society of neighborhood the paper birches, wild azaleas, and wild For details and to order, visit our Web site or call: Italian radicchio, and some were exotic gardeners. Although Montpelier is nearly strawberries that they’d observed in a WEB: www.twinleaf.org novelties like the white pumpkin, Zucche a day’s horseback ride from Monticello, letter to his son-in-law, Thomas Mann PHONE: 800 243-743 Bianca, or the Spanish cabbage from twenty miles away, Madison often stayed Randolph, and the trip inspired him to
22 23 2007 PAINTING BY EDWARD TROYE / TJF / TROYE EDWARD BY PAINTING ,200 trees were purchased from the locusts, and snowberry bushes — some Benjamin Prince Nursery on Long of the greatest hits of the Monticello Island in 85. Cocke also planted an collection — in return for Cocke’s “elegant orchard of the finest fruits” to scuppernong wine, which Jefferson celebrate and commemorate the Peace said “would be distinguished on the best Treaty ending the War of 82, and, tables of Europe, for its fine aroma, and according to his wife, Ann Barrand chrystalline transparence.” Cocke also Cocke, he was “so deeply engaged in kept a garden diary similar to Jefferson’s planting our orchard, by a mathematical Garden Book. Just as Jefferson would jot rule, that he is off directly after breakfast down George Divers’ recommendations and sometimes does not return until for how many rows of carrot were midnight.” Jefferson described him sufficient for a family’s consumption, as “rich, liberal, patriotic, judicious, and Cocke recited Jefferson’s plant histories: persevering ... there is no person in the how the weeping willow and Lombardy United States in whose success I should poplar were introduced into America, or have so much confidence.” how the first cedar known in Albemarle Cocke and Jefferson engaged in County was planted by Jefferson’s brother an exciting exchange of plants. In in law at Shadwell in 755. Bremo, the Palladian-style home of John Hartwell Cocke, on the James River. 86, for example, Jefferson sent Cocke The gardens at Monticello hardly paper mulberry trees and Marseilles existed in a horticultural vacuum, but return home to Monticello to plant Temperance Society, and one of the figs, plus Monticello aspens, prickly were nourished generously by a society
sugar maples and native shrubs, and to founders and designers of the University GALLESIO, GIORGIO of gardeners, “brothers of the propagate fruit trees. of Virginia. He possessed both a superb spade” as Peter Collinson Although Jefferson and Madison command of the practical arts and an referred to his Williamsburg shared cuttings and seeds, Madison was inspired creative genius. The Palladian- correspondent, John Custis,
not as avid a plantsman as Jefferson and style Upper Bremo, one of the three POMONA in 735. We hope this spirit of their correspondence focused more on architectural masterpieces he designed the union of gardening and agricultural matters, particularly the and built at Bremo, was described by ITALIANA sociability continues to this unrelenting calamities to their wheat Samuel Eliot Morrison and Henry day. At Monticello we aspire , crops, the vagaries of the Virginia climate, Steele Commager as “perhaps the most 1817 to share our gardens with and their joint conspiracy to distribute beautiful country house in America the community: some of our Merino sheep to every county in the today.” His farms were a model of skilled programs include the popular state. Jefferson didn’t seem to mask his management, and included grandiose Saturdays in the Garden series feelings in their letters. It was within a stone barns, pise stone walls constructed of natural history walks, lectures, letter to Madison that he composed the from a compacted mixture of mud and and horticultural workshops, ringing lament: “So that in the lotteries straw and unusually productive fields the Thomas Jefferson Parkway, of human life you see that even farming of wheat, corn, and tobacco. Still today, the most visited park in central is but gambling.” Bremo is the most magical of settings. Virginia, and, of course, the John Hartwell Cocke (780-862) was Cocke was also a gardening activist: Center for Historic Plants, our a friend of Jefferson’s who developed his essay on a clever technique for the means of exchanging the plants his 3,84-acre estate, Bremo, into a eradication of peach tree borers was of the past, and of Thomas model agricultural and architectural published in the American Farmer, the Jefferson, with our “rational village along the James River forty miles first national periodical devoted to society” of fellow gardeners. southeast of Monticello. Cocke was agriculture. Cocke also organized the Peter J. Hatch, Director a visionary pragmatist like few early local Fruit Tree Association, a society Monticello Gardens and Grounds Americans: a General in the War of 82, of twenty-two residents formed “to abolitionist, progressive agriculturist, promote the introduction and diffusion Jefferson shared the Marseilles fig with his friend John the first President of the American of the finest kinds of fruit trees,” and Cocke of Bremo.
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