Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

Found around the beds of vegetables, the Thyme planted in the Lower garden creates a fragrant border. This border defends the plants in the interior beds from pests and wild animals. It is also an herb used in many kitchen dishes. On 7 November 1792, George Washington wrote to his German-hired Gardener, John Christian Ehlers, to procure from John Bartram replacement plants for those that had failed. Among the Flowers and Herbs Washington wished grown at Mount Vernon, he mentions a “Thyme leav’d Kalmia” in this directive to his gardener. But what Washington requested is clearly Sheep Laurel rather than the herbal thyme that grows at Mount Vernon today.

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

As part of the mint family many people often confuse it for the peppermint or spearmint. The difference is in the light citrus scent of the leaves rather than the traditional sharpness of mint. As evidenced by its common name, Lemon Balm, Colonial Americans grew this herb for its medicinal properties. It reduced stress and anxiety, and eased digestion. Today, Lemon Balm grows in patches on the upper terrace of the Lower Garden of Mount Vernon.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

Found in the Lower Garden, the evergreen Rosemary bushes grow in many sprawling bushes on the Upper Terrace. The many bushes create a large hedge that separates plots of rainbow chard and leaf lettuce. Today, Rosmarinus officinalis grows at Mount Vernon. However, Washington’s only mention of Rosemary shows up in the same 7 November 1792 letter mentioned above. Among the list of plants is a “Bog Rosemary,” which is toxic in large quantities. This is most certainly not the culinary rosemary planted at Mount Vernon today.

Blue Cardinal Flower (Lobelia siphilitica)

The Marquis de Lafayette wrote to George Washington on 17 December 1784, “I Shou’d think myself much Obliged to Your encellency if through Your Means Some of the Following Seeds might be Procured From KentucKé for the Use of the King’s Garden.” Among those requested were the Cardinal Flower, though it is unclear if this request was for the Blue Cardinal Flower or the red variety (Loibelia cardinalis). Both varieties have graced the Upper Garden at Mount Vernon. He passed the list along to the surveyor general of the Kentucky territory, Thomas Marshall. Marshall replied on 12 May 1785 that the “Cardinal flower, I am not acquainted with, but shall I dont doubt find them out by enquiry.” We can only assume he succeeded.

Blue False Indigo (Baptisia australis)

Today, Blue False Indigo grows in the Upper Garden of Mount Vernon. However, in Washington’s day he would have grown True Indigo, which he referred to many times as French Indigo. Colonial Americans used both plants as dye. Although true indigo has a much deeper color and therefore prized higher then false indigo. In an invoice sent to the London-based Robert Cary Company on 20 July 1767, Washington ordered, “2 lb. french Indigo (or Spanish if better for dying[)]”

Author’s Note: I was amused, while lightly editing the photos for this post, to discover I’d captured a bee in mid-flight with this photo. I point it out now for your amusement as well.

Boxwood (Buxus microphylla var. japonica)

Perhaps the Upper Garden’s most showy display is the neatly trimmed Boxwood. It adorns the south side of the path next to the greenhouse taking an entire garden patch of its own. The Washington family were forever entertaining guests at Mount Vernon and they frequently gave tours of the Upper Garden. Traditional English gardens often contain ornamental boxwood and would have been familiar to Washington’s guests. The two japonica varieties at Mount Vernon today, ‘Green Beauty’ and ‘Morris Dwarf,’ are miniature varieties that grow low to the ground. In addition to the ornamental maze in the Upper Garden, it grows along the paths of the Bowling Green and in the Fruit Garden.

Chinese Peony (Paeonia sp.)

Grown today in the Upper Garden, both John Adams (2nd President of the United States) and Thomas Jefferson (3rd President) grew Peonies in their gardens. It is unclear if Washington grew them at Mount Vernon in his day or not. They are a showy flower that attracts pollinators and come in a variety of colors.

Crested Cockscomb (Celosia argentea var. cristata)

A bright, showy flower that blooms in the autumn, cockscomb comes in many different colors. They are tall plants and so best grown in the back or center when paired with lower plants. Washington was a fan of such combinations of height in his flower beds. This is especially true of those of the Upper Garden which he designed to impress his many guests. English custom for their gardens instructed gardeners to lay their gardens out in this exact way. It is uncertain whether Washington had cockscomb as one of the herbs and flowers he grew at Mount Vernon. But the flower grew in Williamsburg, Virginia gardens by 1738.

Damask Rose (Rosa x damascena)

Grown today in the Upper Garden, the Damask Rose is a stunningly vibrant flower with bright yellow centers. Washington doesn’t mention the Damask Rose specifically in his writings. However, he does make mention of many kinds of roses that grew among the herbs and flowers of Mount Vernon. Among them the Sweet Brier (Rosa eglanteria) is a close cousin to the Damask Rose. It bears similar petals and bright yellow centers. Washington referred to his “Sweet brier hedge” many times in his correspondences, and twice on 25 April 1785.

Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina)

Lamb’s Ear grows today in the Upper Garden to attract bees and other pollinators. It’s silver leaves are a delight to the eye in contrast with the green-leafed plants that surround it. When flowering in the spring, its purple petals stand out beautifully on a silver stalk. The plant is native to Armenia, Iran, and Turkey. However, John Bartram listed the plant in his plant catalogue for more than 30 years.

Love In A Mist (Nigella damascena)

A common flower in English gardens, though not clear if Washington grew it at Mount Vernon in his day. Today it grows in the Upper Garden.

Peach-Leaved Bellflower (Campanula persicifoli)

A plant not mentioned by the Mount Vernon Plant Finder, the Peach-Leaved Bellflower clearly grows in the Upper Garden today. They do, however mention a close cousin Canterbury Bells (Campanula medium).

Rose Campion (Lychnis coronaria)

Grown in the Upper Garden, these showy pink flowers pop to the eye’s attention in way few other flowers do. They are bright pink and bloom in springtime with a summer’s flare for color. One of many “roses” that bloom at Mount Vernon (though with its family Lychnis, it is not a true rose). Washington doesn’t name them specifically in his writings. However, Thomas Jefferson grew them for a time at his home of Monticello. Jefferson’s eldest grandchild Anne Carey Randolph wrote to Jefferson on 9 November 1807 with bad news. She stated the Lychnis was one of many plants that had failed.

Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus)

Another of the showy flowers grown today at Mount Vernon’s Upper Garden. Washington did not mention this plant in his papers, but Thomas Jefferson did. Today, these brightly colored flowers attract pollinators and hummingbirds to the Upper Garden. They are tall and, according to English gardening practices of Washington’s day, are best situated in the middle or back of a garden bed.

Virginia Sweetspire (Itea virginica)

On 2 October 1789 George Washington’s executive secretary Tobias Lear wrote to Clement Biddle who handled Washington’s affairs in Philadelphia. “The President will thank you to get from Mr Bartram a list of the plants & shrubs which he has for sale….”. Botanist John Bartram sent his catalog of plants in reply in March 1792, he described the Virginia Sweetspire as, “a handsome flowerg shrub.” Washington ordered this, among others, and had them delivered to Mount Vernon that year.

Yellow Iris (Iris pseudacorus)

I have observed the yellow iris in the Upper Garden, though the Mount Vernon Plant Finder doesn’t mention it specifically. There are, however, several other related irises mentioned. Two examples are the German Bearded Iris (Iris germanica) and the Siberian Iris (Iris sibirica).