bwisegardening: Around The Garden World In 365 Days - Day 13 (The gardens of Monticello)

So here's the reality of writing a post every day. I just got back in from driving all day from Virginia, it took me an hour to sort through and upload my pictures of Monticello, it's almost tomorrow and I need to post this today, and I'm about to fall asleep. So enjoy this visual tour of Monticello and check back tomorrow 'cuz I'll have added the details...

Robert (#2 son) and daughter-in-love enjoying the smokey mountain view from Monticello's museum shop porch.

The vegetable gardens - Jefferson used this for experimenting with new varieties and hybrid of vegetables and to provide for his household.

Rhododendrons blooming in September

Jefferson used these flower beds to grow cut flowers and trial new varieties of annuals and perennials.

hubby loving the Jefferson history while I'm plant nerding my way through the landscape surrounding the mansion

Balsam Apple - Momordica balsamina

Princess feather - Polygonum orientale

Amaranthus Tricolor - Joseph's Coat (Summer Poinsettia)

Lobelia cardinalis - Cardinal flower

I think this is Tassel flower - Emilia javanica. But there was no tag - it looks like an orange version of Gomphrena fireworks

Does this view of Monticello look familiar? You'll find this sans flowers on the back of the US nickel.

they are just so cute....

The celosia looked fabulous paired with the rudbeckia

I would love to work in a garden with this view

Jefferson was one of the first to push for mixing ornamental plants with edibles. The trellis behind this asparagus holds Hyacinth bean vine, which will cover the trellis by October.

Nasturtiums flowers and leaves were grown both as an edible and an ornamental.

The gardens were an example of Jefferson's resourcefulness to use local materials for building trellis and plant stakes. These were holding up what Jefferson called Love Apples (tomatoes).

These clay pots are used to cover the sea kale to make them turn white (inhibit chloroform) - Jefferson thought they would be more tender that way

Even though Jefferson is often spoken of as a connoisseur of wine, no wine was ever made during his lifetime due to his continual replanting of grapes that wouldn't survive the Virginia weather.

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The hallway under the house that led to all the service rooms - kitchen, wine cellar, stables, ice storage - had these lovely little windows that offered glimpses to the back gardens.