History Blooms at Monticello - "Silk Tree of Constantinople"

Note from Monticello's Peggy Cornett

Peggy tells us today that -

In 1805 wealthy Philadelphia plant enthusiast William Hamilton sent a gift to Thomas Jefferson, a young tree he called "Silk Tree of Constantinople," writing: "I have trees of 20 feet height which for several years past have produced their beautiful & fragrant flowers." 

The mimosa or Persian silk tree, Albizia julibrissin, was introduced from Asia into Europe in the mid 1700s. It reseeds readily in the landscape and tends to grow along forest edges and against structures at Monticello, including the paling fence and Hemmings Cabin on Mulberry Row.

1764 Plants in 18C Colonial American Gardens - Virginian John Randolph (727-1784) - Garlic

A Treatise on Gardening Written by a native of this State (Virginia)
Author was John Randolph (1727-1784)
Written in Williamsburg, Virginia about 1765
Published by T. Nicolson, Richmond, Virginia. 1793
The only known copy of this booklet is found in the Special Collections of the Wyndham Robertson Library at Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia.

Garlic

Garlic....Allium, should be propagated by planting the bulbs in August or September, about five inches asunder. These die about July, and then should be taken up and hung in a dry room for winter use. All these several sorts delight in a rich sandy soil, and eight pounds of seed will sow an acre. When sown they should be trodden, so should they be treated when they run too much into blade, in order to throw their substance into the bulb, and when trodden they ought to be covered with fresh mould; the seed for sowing should never be wet, because it will shoot out its radicle, and never succeed afterwards.
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19C Women & Gardens - by American Frederick Carl Frieseke 1874-1939

1912c Frederick Frieseke (American artist, 1874-1939) Lady in a Garden

Frederick Carl Frieseke (1874–1939) was an American Impressionist decorative painter. He was born in Owosso, Michigan & studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago & the Académie Julian in Paris. Frieseke & his family resided for 14 years in Giverny, home to Monet. Frieseke was attracted to women, gardens, & bright sunlight.

 Frederick Frieseke (1874-1939) The Garden Pool 

1918 Frederick Frieseke (American artist, 1874-1939) The Green Chair 

1923 Frederick Frieseke (American artist, 1874-1939) The Garden Fountain 

1915 Frederick Frieseke (American artist, 1874-1939) The Mother 

1913c Frederick Frieseke (American artist, 1874-1939) Hollyhocks 

1916 Frederick Frieseke (American artist, 1874-1939) Under the Awning 

1913c Frederick Frieseke (American artist, 1874-1939) Garden Mirror

1911c Frederick Frieseke (American artist, 1874-1939) Breakfast in the Garden

1911c Frederick Frieseke (American artist, 1874-1939)  Lilies

 Frederick Frieseke (American artist, 1874-1939) Lady in a Hammock 

 1912c Frederick Frieseke (American artist, 1874-1939) The Blue Garden

 1914 Frederick Frieseke (American artist, 1874-1939) Sunbath

 1912 Frederick Frieseke (American artist, 1874-1939) The House in Giverny

1904-07 Frederick Frieseke (American artist, 1874-1939)  Woman with a Flower Basket

1908-09c Frederick Frieseke (American artist, 1874-1939)  Late October

Frederick Frieseke (1874-1939) Under the Alder Tree (Sadie in the Garden) 

Frederick Frieseke (1874-1939) Under the Trees

Frederick Frieseke (1874-1939) 

Frederick Frieseke (1874-1939) 

1764 Plants in 18C Colonial American Gardens - Virginian John Randolph (727-1784) - Parsnip

A Treatise on Gardening Written by a native of this State (Virginia)
Author was John Randolph (1727-1784)
Written in Williamsburg, Virginia about 1765
Published by T. Nicolson, Richmond, Virginia. 1793
The only known copy of this booklet is found in the Special Collections of the Wyndham Robertson Library at Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia.

Parsnip

Parsnip...The seed should be sown about February or March in light ground dug pretty deep, and may be mixed with Carrots, though Miller advises against mixing with any thing else, because they spread very much in the latter end of summer. They should be kept very clear of weeds, and should be drawn to about ten or twelve inches asunder. When the leaves begin to decay, which will be about February, after frosts, they should be dug up and put into dry sand, which will preserve them until April. They are not sweet until bit by the frosts. In order to have seed, your strongest plants should be planted out in the spring, and in August or beginning of September your seed will be ripe; you must then cut off the heads, and let them be exposed to the sun three days in order to dry them, after which they should be beat out, and put up for use. Seed are not to be trusted after a year old.

19C Women & Gardens - American Mary Cassatt 1844-1926

American Mary Cassatt (1844-1926). Lydia Seated in the Garden
Mary Cassatt (1844-1926). Red Poppies 

Mary Cassatt (1844-1926) Cup of Tea 

 Mary Cassatt (American artist, 1844-1926) Children in a Garden 1878

Mary Cassatt (American artist, 1844-1926) In the Garden

Mary Cassatt (American artist, 1844-1926) In the Park

Mary Cassatt (American artist, 1844-1926) Lydia Croceting in the Garden at Marly 1880

Mary Cassatt (American artist, 1844-1926) Woman and Child Seated in a Garden

Mary Cassatt (American artist, 1844-1926) Woman doing Needlework in the Sun

Mary Cassatt (American artist, 1844-1926) Woman Reading in a Garden

 Mary Cassatt (American artist, 1844-1926) Young Girl Holding a Loose Bouquet of Flowers
Mary Cassatt (1845-1926)

Mary Cassatt (American artist, 1844-1926).  Young Woman Picking Fruit 1891