Deciding to retire from the “unceasing drudgery,” “odious,” and “nauseating” presidency and public life, Thomas Jefferson turned his attention to puttering in his gardens at Monticello. –Founding Gardeners, Andrea Wulf, p175
GARDEN PLAN A
He began to rely more and more on his secretary of state, James Madison, and the treasury secretary Albert Gallatin, and spent increasing amounts of time doodling, sketching, scribbling, and dreaming up myriad gardens and designs…temples…a grove of highest trees and a labyrinth of flowering shrubs, more vistas across the sea of mountains that stretched to the west,, a shady arbor covered with vines and a cascade on Montalton (the mountain opposite Monticello) to be “visible at Monticello”…a columned classical temple…and more! –Founding Gardeners, Andrea Wulf, p175
GARDEN PLAN B
Then Jefferson realized his personal debt exceeded $10,000 just during his years in the Federal City, causing him to simplify his plans.
Now Jefferson designed new gardens, the expression of his vision of America – beautiful, sublime, strong, independent and agrarian. Majestic views over the rolling mountains, groves of native trees and shrubs, decorative flowerbeds, experimental vegetable plots, vineyards, and crops united into one landscape – an ornamental farm embraced by the American wilderness…and the future. –Founding Gardeners, Andrea Wulf, p176
GARDEN SOLITUDE BEGINS
And then Thomas Jefferson left public office to retire in solitude at his mountaintop home of Monticello in 1809.
Transforming his gardens to tell a story, the gardens nearer his house were more cultivated, representing civilization, while expanding out the views became more rustically wild, representing the West which opened to America’s future.
Thus, the ornamental flower beds dwelt nearest the house, while the middle section contained the experimental agricultural plots in the form of vegetable plants, vining fruits and fruit trees, culminating with the bottom section of the mountain which was naturally wild.
ORNAMENTAL GARDENS
Snail Flower…
Spider Flower…
Cockscomb…
Love Lies Bleeding…
UNIQUE MICROCLIMATE FOR THE FRUIT AND VEGETABLES
The location of the terrace, on the southern side of the mountain, made it the ideal place for an experimental laboratory, as few Virginia gardens combined heat, humidity, and mild winters as successfully as the one at Monticello. While the valley could be freezing, the rising warm air protected the vegetable terrace, which sat safely above the frost line.
VEGETABLES
Scarlet Runner Bean…
Moon and stars watermelon…
Tomatoes…
Pumpkins…
Cabbage…
FRUITS
Grapes…
Peaches…
Figs…
GARDENING JOYS
In the midst of creating American gardens at Monticello, Thomas Jefferson taught his grandchildren his love of gardens.
I am constantly in my garden as exclusively employed out of doors as I was within doors when at Washington. -Thomas Jefferson
Scribbling into a small ivory notebook he noted ideas, planting and harvest dates, names of species and the amount of seeds planted, all of which could be rubbed off after he had transferred his notes into his Garden Book. He knew every plant... –Founding Gardeners, Andrea Wulf, p177
When Thomas Jefferson returned to Monticello from Washington in 1809, his daughter, Martha, arrived to live with him to keep house.
Her six youngest children came to live with them, with whom he enjoyed planting seeds and learning about plants.
A guest reported watching Jefferson’s grandchildren romp among the colorful flower beds while he sat and watched.
Of his life in solitude with his loved ones in the gardens, Jefferson wrote: …the flowers come forth like the belles of the day, have their short reign of beauty and splendor, & retire, the hyacinths and tulips are off the stage, the Irises are giving place to the Belladonnas, as these will to the Tuberoses, Etc.
Jefferson wrote: Tho’ an old man, I am but a young gardener.
