Cotton

Planted at Mount Vernon

Pioneer Farm

Hardiness Zones

Average annual extreme minimum temperature 1976-2005

This crop is grown for the fibers it produces, although ornamental varieties do exist.

Latin Name

Gossypium hirsutum

Family

Malvaceae

Also Known As

Upland Cotton

Type of Plant

Crops

Bloom Season

July - October

Seasons

Summer

Fall

Specifications

Max Height: 8'

Max Spread: 4'

Uses

Crop

Colors

Native Range

West Indies, Northern South America, Central America, Mexico

History

George Washington wrote to John Jay in March of 1794, "I thank you for the Nankeen Cotton-seed with which you had the goodness to furnish me. It shall be sent to Mount Vernon with orders to my Gardener to be particularly attentive thereto, but with little hope, I confess, of success; that climate & country being too high & cold for this plant."

Bartlett Tree Expert Company has been working with Mount Vernon Estate since 2011 providing expert arboricultural care and GPS mapping for the estate’s historic trees, as well as support from their research facility. Mount Vernon is proud to partner with Bartlett Tree Experts and appreciates their sponsorship of George Washington’s Mount Vernon Plant Finder App.

Bring Washington's Garden Home

Purchase our historic seeds, collected from plants grown at Mount Vernon and plant them in your own garden.

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