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
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."
Planted at Mount Vernon
Hardiness Zones
Average annual extreme minimum temperature 1976-2005
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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