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Absalon Tulip

Tulipa 'Absalon'

Absalon is one of the rarest tulips grown at Mount Vernon. It features yellow flames on maroon petals and is one of the few remaining truly broken tulips.

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Acacia

Vachellia farnesiana

This unique subtropical plant was used in the West Indies for building enclosures. It is a multi-trunked thorny tree with yellow flowers through the winter.

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Alpine Squill

Scilla bifolia

These tiny blue flowers are some of the most shade tolerant of the spring flower bulbs.

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Black locust trees are fast-growing with an open habit, prominent thorns when young, and deeply furrowed bark when mature. Their fragrant white pea-like flowers attract honey bees, who make an aromatic honey from the pollen.

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Blackberry Lily

Iris domestica

Blackberry lilies are named for their glossy black seeds which look nearly identical to an actual blackberry. They have beautiful orange flowers with darker spots on long graceful stems above strappy green foliage.

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Blue False Indigo

Baptisia australis

This unique plant features bright blue-purple flowers on tall green stalks followed by interesting black seedpods. It forms a deep taproot and does not transplant well, so be certain of its location before planting.

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Blue Flag Tulip

Tulipa 'Blue Flag'

Blue Flag is a petite double tulip with flouncy purple petals. Its short stature makes it ideally suited for the front of the border.

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Boxwood

Buxus spp.

Boxwood are the quintessential southern garden hedge plant. They are popular for use in knot gardens, parterres, edging, and as topiaries. While the historic English boxwood (Buxus suffruiticosa) are especially susceptible to a devastating and widespread blight caused by the fungus Cylindrocladium buxicola…

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Butter and Eggs Daffodil

Narcissus incomparabilis aurantius plenus

Butter and Eggs is pale yellow double daffodil with many frilly petals. Its height makes it well suited to the middle of the flower border.

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Butterfly Weed

Asclepias tuberosa

This plant features brilliant orange flowers that light up the garden and are attractive to pollinators, including monarchs and honeybees.

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Byzantine Gladiolus

Gladiolus communis

This petite, graceful gladiolus features bright pink flowers on long, elegant stems. It is somewhat hardier than most modern gladioli.

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Cardinal Flower

Lobelia cardinalis

The vibrant red blooms of the cardinal flower makes it an ideal plant for the shady summer garden. It reseeds readily and is ideal for naturalizing and sharing with friends.

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Carolina Jessamine

Gelsemium sempervirens

This rambling evergreen vine sports masses of fragrant tubular yellow flowers in late winter and early spring. It is well-suited for use on arbors and fences.

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Chinaberry

Melia azedarach

Chinaberry is a fast-growing deciduous tree often made of several smaller trunks, as it is able to readily sprout from the roots. The widely spreading crown, pale purple tube-like fragrant blooms, and attractive yellow drupes that persist all winter made it a popular ornamental shade tree in southern…

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Cranberrybush

Viburnum opulus

Cranberrybush has stunning white flowers reminiscent of a hydrangea, which makes up for its somewhat coarse texture and stiffly upright growth.

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Crocus 'Cloth of Gold'

Crocus angustifolius 'Cloth of Gold'

Crocuses cheerfully herald the coming spring with bright yellow flowers. They naturalize easily in gardens, offering clumps which grow larger year by year.

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Crown Imperial

Fritillaria imperialis 'Rubra Maxima'

This large bulb has striking orange flowers borne on long lily-like flowers in spring. It is best placed on its side when planted to prevent rotting and then left undisturbed.

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Dipper Gourd

Lagenaria siceraria

Dipper gourds are sprawling plants that produce enormous quantities of fruit over the course of the season. The gourds they produce can be used to make drinking vessels, birdhouses, and other decorative items.

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Duc van Tol Red and Yellow Tulip

Tulipa 'Duc van Tol Red and Yellow'

Duc van Tol Red and Yellow is a petite tulip that does best when planted near the front of the border.

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Duc van Tol Rose Tulip

Tulipa 'Duc van Tol Rose

Duc van Tol Rose is a petite tulip with pointed pink and white petals.

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Early Louisiana Daffodil

Narcissus jonquilla 'Early Louisiana'

Early Louisiana is a petite yellow daffodil that is well suited to naturalizing. It does well towards the front of the flower border.

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English Bluebells

Hyacinthoides non-scripta

Cascading blue flowers on arching stems slowly naturalize in the garden.

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Fall Daffodil

Sternbergia lutea

This crocus-like lemon yellow bulb is a surprising and unusual find in the fall garden. They perform best in sunny, protected locations.

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Flaming Parrot Tulip

Tulipa 'Flaming Parrot'

Flaming Parrot is a favorite here at Mount Vernon, with its bold red stripes on fringed yellow petals. It is a tall, late-blooming tulip that does well in the middle of the border.

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Florentine Tulip

Tulipa sylvestris

The Florentine tulip is a charming yellow species tulip, with its bright flowers held on long, elegant stems.

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Four O'clock

Mirabilis jalapa

Named for the time of day the bloom opens, four o'clocks will attract hummingbirds and nocturnal pollinators to your garden. This bushy plant reseeds readily, producing hundreds of large black seeds that resemble hand grenades.

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Foxglove

Digitalis purpurea

Wands of bell-shaped flowers ascend from a broad, woolly basal rosette. This common cottage garden flower has an important role in the manufacture of heart medicine.

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German Bearded Iris

Iris germanica

Irises add interesting texture to the spring garden with strappy leaves and unique flowers, nicely accenting the later blooming flower bulbs. They grow to form large clumps which are easily divided and spread around the garden.

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Golden Standard Tulip

Tulipa 'Golden Standard'

Golden Standard is a brilliant red and yellow broken tulip. Its vibrant flowers bring light to the middle of the border.

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Great Blue Lobelia

Lobelia siphilitica

This tall, late blooming perennial adds a pleasant blue to shady glades in the summer. Native to Virginia, it is often found along stream banks and in wetland areas. It self seeds enthusiastically.

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Heliotrope

Heliotropium arborescens

A fragrant addition to your summer border, this sturdy plant prefers well-drained soil and afternoon shade in the southern garden.

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Helmar Tulip

Tulipa 'Helmar'

Helmar is a yellow and red tulip. Its red flames mimic the pattern of some of the broken tulips of the tulip mania.

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Honeysuckle

Lonicera sempervirens

A woody, twining vine, honeysuckle needs some structure to support itself. It blooms nearly all summer and is attractive to hummingbirds and other pollinators. It is well-suited for arbors, pergolas, and fences.

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Hoop Petticoat Daffodil

Narcissus bulbocodium 'Golden Bells'

The Hoop Petticoat is one of the smallest daffodils grown at Mount Vernon and is often crowded towards the front of the border for ease of viewing. It has unique flowers with large bells and slender, petite petals.

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Hydrangea

Hydrangea arborescens

This versatile hydrangea tolerates a wide variety of conditions and is ideal for borders or natural areas. It benefits from an annual pruning in late winter to prevent the heavy blooms from flopping.

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Jatropha

Jatropha curcas

This large tropical plant is used for various medicinal and economic purposes. The oil from the nuts is currently being studied as a potential source for biodiesel.

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Keizerskroon Tulip

Tulipa 'Keizerskroon'

Keizerskroon is a bold yellow and red tulip that has a strong presence in the spring garden at Mount Vernon. Its colorful flowers are well suited for the middle of the border.

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Kentucky Coffeetree

Gymnocladus dioicus

This large, suckering tree produces fragrant showy flowers, followed by a bean-like seedpod and was used in times of scarcity to make a coffee-like beverage. The seeds are very toxic before roasting and should never be eaten raw.

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Lac van Rijn Tulip

Tulipa 'Lac van Rijn'

Lac van Rijn has striking white and deep pink flowers that add dramatic appeal to the spring garden.

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Lady Tulip

Tulipa clusiana

This sweet white and pink tulip is an elegant mid-border charmer. The white and pink petals open to reveal a nearly pure white interior.

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Lantana

Lantana camara

Lantana is a colorful, shrubby annual with masses of flowers in shades of orange, yellow, and pink. Its leaves give off a distinctive smell and it produces bluish-black seeds. Lantana is commonly used as a bedding plant because of its long bloom season.

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Larkspur

Consolida ajacis

A favorite in the Mount Vernon gardens, this annual reseeds readily. Its pink, blue, and white flowers add height to the spring border.

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Leucothoe

Leucothoe axillaris

This glossy-leafed shade loving shrub has a graceful arching habit and panicles of white flowers in the late spring.

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Live Oak

Quercus virginiana

This iconic evergreen tree of the south forms a wide spreading canopy and is often draped with Spanish moss. They are extremely resilient, which allows them to survive the severe weather patterns of the southern part of the country.

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Love-in-a-Mist

Nigella damascena

This feathery flower blooms in shades of blue, white, and pink, and reseeds easily, but does not transplant well. It is noted for its interesting seedpods.

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Maximus Daffodil

Narcissus hispanicus 'Maximus'

Maximus is a standard among daffodils for its height and large yellow blooms. It does well in the middle of the border where it can be easily seen.

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Monkshood

Aconitum napellus

This late blooming perennial adds height and colorful spires to the end of summer shade garden. It prefers afternoon shade in the southern garden, but will tolerate sun further north.

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Nora Barlow Columbine

Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata 'Nora Barlow'

A fluffier flower sets this columbine apart from the simpler native type. It has cheerful magenta and white flowers on tall stems and reseeds readily.

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Odorus Flore Pleno Daffodil

Narcissus odorus flore pleno

Odorus Flore Pleno is a medium to small daffodil with double yellow flowers. It is strongly fragrant.

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Oleander

Nerium oleander

This large subtropical plant has brilliant pink flowers which bloom through summer in the Mount Vernon gardens.

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Persian Fritillary

Fritillaria persica

This tall spring bulb is crowned by a spike of maroon flowers above gray-green foliage and makes a striking addition to the spring garden. The bulb itself is strongly odoriferous which prevents the depredations of rodents.

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Pheasant's Eye Daffodil

Narcissus poeticus

The Pheasant's Eye daffodil is a clear white daffodil featuring a yellow cup with a red ring. It is one of the later blooming daffodils and it does best towards the middle of the border.

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Red Hue Tulip

Tulipa viridiflora 'Red Hue'

Red Hue is a unique tulip, featuring pointed red petals with green centers.

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Rhododendron

Rhododenron catawbiense 'Roseum Elegans'

The rhododendron is an evergreen plant with large, lush pinkish purple blossoms in the spring.

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Roman Hyacinth

Hyancinthus orientalis var. albulus

This old-fashioned hyacinth has a sparser, more delicate flower than the modern types, but it is much more likely to stick around in the garden. It resists flopping under its own weight and is known to naturalize.

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Sago Palm

Cycas revoluta

This is one of the most ancient plants still alive today.

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Seventeen Sisters Daffodil

Narcissus tazetta 'Avalanche'

Seventeen Sisters is a multi-flowered daffodil which features many small white flowers with yellow cups held on stiffly upright stems. It is very fragrant.

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Siberian Iris

Iris sibirica

Thick clumps of spiky foliage and bright purple or blue flowers are perfect for mid-border planting. Like their German cousins, these benefit from division so they don't grow hollow in the middle.

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Silver Standard Tulip

Tulipa 'Silver Standard'

Silver standard is a beautiful tulip, with white petals boldly splashed with pink streaks.

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Snake's Head Fritillary

Fritillaria meleagris

These dainty bell-shaped flowers in shades of maroon and white with faint checkered patterns perch atop slender arching stems. They prefer to be grown in cool moist sites.

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Snowdrop

Galanthus nivalis

Sweet white flowers naturalize easily in lawns or garden beds. This early bloomer is known for poking through the snow as early as February.

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Stinking hellebore

Hellebore foetidus

Don’t let the name fool you, as stinking hellebore’s evergreen foliage and clusters of drooping, bell-shaped, greenish-white flowers emerging from pale green bracts are a much-needed spot of color in the winter woodland garden. Established plants will readily self-seed to form colonies if flowers…

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Strawberry Bush

Euonymus americanus

This airy woodland shrub looks unassuming until it sets its brilliant red fruit in the fall, when it earns its many common names.

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Swan's Neck Daffodil

Narcissus moschatus

The Swan's Neck daffodil is a white daffodil that keeps its flowers bent toward the earth. It is fairly small and should be planted close to the front for the best viewing opportunities.

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Sweet William

Dianthus barbatus

This old-fashioned biennial with its cheerful pink and white blossoms in the late spring is a mainstay of cottage gardens.

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Tansy

Tanacetum vulgare

Tansy is a tough plant that can grow in almost any sunny spot. While its ferny foliage and clusters of cheerful yellow button flowers are attractive, it can be invasive due to its underground runners and propensity to re-seed.

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Tobacco

Nicotiana tabacum

This plant is used for the production of its leaves, which provide the tobacco which goes into cigarettes, cigars and other forms. It can also be used as an ornamental, with its dramatic height and delicate pink flowers

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Tournesol Tulip

Tulipa 'Tournesol Red and Yellow'

Tournesol Red and Yellow is a short double tulip that does well at the front of the flower border.

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Twin Sisters Daffodil

Narcissus x medioluteus

Twin Sisters lives up to its name, with each stem bearing two small white and yellow flowers.

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Valerian

Valeriana officinalis

This umbelliferous perennial is attractive to bees and other pollinators. It is mildly fragrant. Valerian is an excellent addition to the back of the garden and it reseeds readily.

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Van Sion Daffodil

Narcissus telamonius plenus

Van Sion is a bright yellow daffodil streaked with green. It is double, with many softly pointed petals.

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Wapen van Leiden Tulip

Tulipa 'Wapen van Leiden'

Wapen van Leiden is a lovely white tulip brushed with pink. It is well suited to the middle of the border.

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White Oak

Quercus alba

White oaks are well known for their distinctive silhouette. They are massive trees which provide excellent shade as well as habitat for birds and other wildlife. Their acorns are especially attractive to deer and squirrels.

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Wild Columbine

Aquilegia canadensis

Wild columbines have dainty red and yellow flowers on long stems above clumps of bright green foliage. They self-seed reliably to form vigorous naturalized colonies.

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Winter Aconite

Eranthis hyemalis

This unusual early bulb offers small sunny yellow flowers in March when little else is blooming. In southern zones they benefit from light shade.

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Winterberry Holly

Ilex verticillata

Winterberry is a relatively insignificant woodland plant until its brilliant red berries light up the winter landscape. It is a native shrub of eastern wetlands and provides excellent habitat for songbirds.

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Yellow buckeye

Aesculus octandra var. virginicus

The yellow buckeye is a large deciduous shade tree. Susceptible to leaf scorch in full sun, it is best planted in an area with afternoon shade. Despite their showy flowers produced in upright clusters measuring up to 6 inches tall, they are most commonly known for their large mahogany-colored nuts, which…

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Absalon Tulip

Tulipa 'Absalon'

Acacia

Vachellia farnesiana

Alpine Squill

Scilla bifolia

Black Locust

Robinia pseudoacacia

Blackberry Lily

Iris domestica

Blue False Indigo

Baptisia australis

Blue Flag Tulip

Tulipa 'Blue Flag'

Boxwood

Buxus spp.

Butter and Eggs Daffodil

Narcissus incomparabilis aurantius plenus

Butterfly Weed

Asclepias tuberosa

Byzantine Gladiolus

Gladiolus communis

Cardinal Flower

Lobelia cardinalis

Carolina Jessamine

Gelsemium sempervirens

Chinaberry

Melia azedarach

Cranberrybush

Viburnum opulus

Crocus 'Cloth of Gold'

Crocus angustifolius 'Cloth of Gold'

Crown Imperial

Fritillaria imperialis 'Rubra Maxima'

Dipper Gourd

Lagenaria siceraria

Duc van Tol Red and Yellow Tulip

Tulipa 'Duc van Tol Red and Yellow'

Duc van Tol Rose Tulip

Tulipa 'Duc van Tol Rose

Early Louisiana Daffodil

Narcissus jonquilla 'Early Louisiana'

English Bluebells

Hyacinthoides non-scripta

Fall Daffodil

Sternbergia lutea

Flaming Parrot Tulip

Tulipa 'Flaming Parrot'

Florentine Tulip

Tulipa sylvestris

Four O'clock

Mirabilis jalapa

Foxglove

Digitalis purpurea

German Bearded Iris

Iris germanica

Golden Standard Tulip

Tulipa 'Golden Standard'

Great Blue Lobelia

Lobelia siphilitica

Heliotrope

Heliotropium arborescens

Helmar Tulip

Tulipa 'Helmar'

Honeysuckle

Lonicera sempervirens

Hoop Petticoat Daffodil

Narcissus bulbocodium 'Golden Bells'

Hydrangea

Hydrangea arborescens

Jatropha

Jatropha curcas

Keizerskroon Tulip

Tulipa 'Keizerskroon'

Kentucky Coffeetree

Gymnocladus dioicus

Lac van Rijn Tulip

Tulipa 'Lac van Rijn'

Lady Tulip