The Heirloom Garden, surrounding the National
Museum of American History, Behring Center, has a variety of plants
that highlight the types that have been passed down from generation
to generation.
Here are a few that are in bloom during the spring months.
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Allium schoenoprasm
Chives
Chives have graced American kitchen gardens, including Monticello’s,
since colonization. The leaves were most often used to flavor
soups and cheeses and are still a culinary favorite. The flowers
are pretty as well as edible. |
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Aquilegia ‘McKana Giant Hybrids’
Columbine
These old-fashioned, long-spurred flowers are a must have
in any cottage or cutting garden. McKana Giant hybrids were
a 1955 All-America Selections Winner. |
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Borogo officinalis
Borage
In ancient times, Borage was used as an antidepressant. Roman’s
used Borage because it was believed that the herb made a man
merry, and Celtic warriors drank borage flavored wine before
battle. The unusual blue star-shaped blooms and leaves were
also eaten in salads. Today, borage oil can be found in skin
products.
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Centranthus ruber
Jupiter’s beard
This drought-tolerant Mediterranean native blooms continuously
all summer. In the Heirloom Garden, flowers grace us even
earlier due to the warmth from the terrace stone. The herbalist
Culpeper recommended Jupiter’s beard to stir up lust and to
comfort one’s heart.
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Dianthus barbatus ‘Newport Pink’
Sweet William
Long ago, the clove scented flowers were used to hide odors
before cleanliness was a virtue. These old-fashioned cottage
garden plants were also used in the front of the border and
in masses where they still have a place today. Newport Pink
was a cultivar that was introduced in 1926 by the Porter-Walton
Co., Salt Lake City, UT. The color appears more salmon than
pink.
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Dicentra spectabilis
Bleeding heart
Bleeding heart is a Chinese native that has been grown in
Asian gardens for centuries. The heart-shaped flowers were
available in America by the late 1800’s and have remained
a spring time favorite ever since. Grow in full to part shade. |
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Salvia officinalis
Common sage
Sage was used in brewing ales before hops became popular.
Can you imagine drinking sage flavored beer? According to
the colonial herbalist Culpeper, Sage was also useful to turn
one’s hair black. |
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Viola tricolor
Heartsease or Johnny-jump-up
Zeus was in love with Viola. Napoleon died with a viola
and a lock of Josephine’s hair in his possession. Flowers
were put into love potions to ease the heart. These tri-colored
flowers were later hybridized, about 150 years ago, to create
the pansies we know today. |
