Garden/Outdoor

The Washington family coat of arms is surmounted by a "flying griffin", a mythological creature that was featured on the family crest for generatio...

"No estate in United America is more pleasantly situated than this," wrote George Washington in 1790, and in 200 years, no home in America has surp...

Blue False Indigo: Baptisia australis Baptisia australis is native to North America and was mentioned in American writings as early as 1783. Blue f...

Lobelia cardinalis is native to central, eastern, and southern North America. Typically found in partially shaded areas along streams, in swamps, a...

Cayenne Pepper: Capsicum annuum George Washington wrote in his diary on June 13, 1785 that he sowed "one row of the Cayan pepper" in his botanic ga...

Bird Pepper:Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum George Washington wrote in his diary on August 31, 1785 “And the Bird pepper which was sowed in the ...

Cockscomb: Celosia species Celosia species was commonly grown in 18th century flower gardens. Celosia is an annual and prefers full to partial sun....

Basket of Gold: Aurinia saxatilis Basket of Gold is a shrubby perennial that only reaches 10" in height. It has gray foliage with light yellow flow...

Cow Horn Okra: Abelmoschus esculentus Abelmoschus esculentus is believed to have originated around Ethiopia and was cultivated by the ancient Egypt...

Four O'Clock: Mirabilis jalapa Mirabilis jalapa is native to the Andes Mountains in South America. In 1596, seeds were brought to England from Peru...

Purple Foxglove: Digitalis purpurea Digitalis purpurea was a colonial favorite of the gardener and the apothecary. Foxglove was brought to Mount Ve...

Eastern Red Columbine: Aguilegia canadensis  Aguilegia canadensis is a beautiful plant native to North America, east of the Rocky Mountains. The g...

Globe Amaranth: Gomphrena globosa Gomphrena globosa is mentioned in a letter written by John Custis, of Williamsburg, in 1742. Commenting on globe ...

French Marigold: Tagetes patula Native to Mexico and Guatemala, this plant was brought back to Europe by explorers in the 16th gaining popularity, ...

Great Blue Lobelia: Lobelia siphilitica Lobelia siphilitica is native to the eastern United States and was used and valued for its medicinal benefi...

Hollyhock:  Alcea rosea  Alcea rosea was brought to Europe from China during or possibly even before the 16th century. John Custis of Williamsburg,...

Larkspur: Consolida ajacis Consolida ajacis is native to the Mediterranean and was once used medicinally to stop bleeding and heal wounds. Larkspur...

Love-in-a-mist: Nigella damascena Nigella damascena is native to the Mediterranean. It has grown in English gardens since the late 16th century and...

New England Aster: Symphyotrichum novae-angliae  A North American native that was growing in colonial gardens. New England Aster is a great plant f...

Pot Marigold: Calendula officinalis Calendula officinalis was growing in Virginia gardens by the 1600s. The petals were used to flavor soups and st...

Rose Campion: Lychnis coronaria Lychnis coronaria was found in Britain as early as 1596 and was growing in American Colonial gardens by the 1700s. ...

Spotted Joe-Pye Weed: Eutrochium maculatum. Eutrochium maculatum is native to North America and commonly grew in 18th century flower borders. Joe-P...

Red Spider Zinnia: Zinnia tenuifolia Zinnia tenuifolia is native to Mexico. The name Zinnia is derived from the German botanist Johann Gottfried Zi...