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The Estate

George Washington

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9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Sponsored by: Sponsored by Bartlet Tree Service

Alfalfa

This plant is used as a perennial fodder crop for livestock.

Latin Name

Medicago sativa

Family

Fabaceae

Also Known As

Lucerne

Type of Plant

Crops Crops
Perennials Perennials

Bloom Season

July

Seasons

Spring Spring

Specifications

Max height Max Height: 2'
Max spread Max Spread: 1.5'

Uses

  • Ground Cover
  • Crop

    • Sunlight Exposure

    Full Sun Full Sun

    Tolerances

  • Drought

    • Attracted Wildlife

    Butterflies Butterflies
    Birds Birds

    Colors

    Native Range

    South-central Asia

    History

    Washington wrote in his diary in March of 1760 that he, "Began plowing the field by the Garden for Lucern."

    Other Details

    Pollinator Pollinator
    Grown by Washington Grown by Washington
    View Larger thumbnail

    Planted at Mount Vernon

    Planted at Mount Vernon Botanical Garden

  • Botanical Garden

    • Hardiness Zones

    3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b USDA basemap

    Average annual extreme minimum temperature 1976-2005

    map legend 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b

    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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