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George Washington: Landscape ArchitectList of Plants From John Bartram's Nursery
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Link
to detailed images of Bartram's Catalogue here with corrections
made by William Bartram
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"In a word the garden, the plantations, the house, the whole upkeep, proves that a man born with natural taste can divine the beautiful," wrote Count Julian Ursyn Niemcewicz (1758-1841) upon visiting Mount Vernon in June 1798.
Describing his first glimpse of Mount Vernon, Niemcewicz noted, "Two bowling greens, a circular one very near the house, the other large and irregular, form the courtyard in front of the house. All kinds of trees, bushes, flowering plants, ornament the two sides of the court. Near the two ends of the house are planted two groves of acacia, called here locust, . . . . There were also a few catalpa and tulip trees there etc."
During an evening stroll Washington showed the Count and other guests "his garden." Niemcewicz observed, "It is well cultivated and neatly kept. . . . One sees there all the vegetables for the kitchen, Corrents, Rasberys, Strawberys, Gusberys, quantities of peaches and cherries. . . . One sees also in the garden lilies, roses, pinks, etc. The path which runs all around the bowling green is planted with a thousand kinds of trees, plants and bushes; crowning them are two immense Spanish chestnuts. . . . The tree of the tulip, called here Poplar, or Tulip Tree, is very high with a beautiful leaf and the flower in a bell resembling a Tulip, white with a touch of orange at the base. The magnolia [is] a charming tree . . . the flower is like a white acorn which opens out and gives off an odor less strong than the orange but just as agreeable. . . . The Sweet Scented Shroub, a shrub which grows in a thicket, with a very deep purple, nearly black flower, has a fragrance which from my point of view surpasses all the others: it is an essence of strawberries and pineapple mixed together. The superb catalpa was not yet in flower. The fir of Nova Scotia, Spruce Tree, is of a beautiful dark green. . . . [There was] a tree [----] bearing thousands and thousands of pods like little pea pods. A thousand other bushes, for the most part species of laurel and thorn, all covered with flowers of different colors, all planted in a manner to produce the most beautiful hues" (Under Their Vine and Fig Tree, Elizabeth, NJ, 1965, 95, 97-8). The following document is an example of Washington's efforts to create the landscape that his Polish visitor so admired.
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Washington visited on June 10 and September 2, 1787, the gardens that John Bartram, Jr., had inherited from his botanist father in 1771 (Diaries, 5:166,183). The gardens were located on the west bank of the Schuylkill River three miles southwest of Philadelphia, and almost twenty-one years later, in March 1792, Washington ordered over 200 trees and shrubs for Mount Vernon from Bartram's garden. The date for Washington's order is taken from his docket on the cover, which reads "List of Plants & Shrubs from Mr Bartram March--1792" and from his directions for his gardener John Christian Ehlers of 7 Nov. 1792, in which GW refers to Bartram's "Catalogue of Mar: 92." This document is printed below; the original is found in the Washington Papers at the Library of Congress (DLC:GW).
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For the meaning of the letters that precede the plant name see the list of symbols at the end of the document. For ease of reading, all such letters, regardless of original position, have been placed to the left of the botanical classifications. Common names for each plant (when missing from the descriptive entry), modern classifications (if different), alternative classifications, and corrected spellings are given in square brackets. Common names in quotation marks are from Bartram's 1784 Catalogue of American trees shrubs and herbacious plants,: most of which are now growing, and produce ripe seeds in John Bartram's garden, near Philadelphia. The seed and growing plants of which are disposed of on the most reasonable terms (Philadelphia, 1784) Bartram's Catalogue is reproduced above. [Courtesy of Leighton, Ann, American Gardens in the Eighteenth Century "For Use or for Delight." (Amherst: The University of Massachusetts Press, 1986), 303.]
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Catalogue of Trees, Shrubs & Plants, of Jno.
Bartram.
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Nos.
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Plants
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feet high
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a 1.
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Rhododendron maximum Evergreen, large maximum rose coloured blossoms. ["mountain laurel," great laurel, rosebay] |
2
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grow from 5 to 10.
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E. d 2.
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Ulex europeus Ebellished with sweet scented flowers, of a fine yellow colour. [furze] |
2.
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3 to 4.
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a 3
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Hypericum kalmianum Profusely garnished with fine Gold coloured blossoms. ["Shrub St. John's wort"] |
2
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3 to 4.
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4.
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H[pericum]. Angustifolium Evergreen; adorned with fine yellow flowers. |
3.
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3 to 6.
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e 5.
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Taxus procumbens Evergreen; of a splendid full green throughout the year--red berries. [yew] |
1.
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3 to 6.
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E 6.
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Buxus aureis [aureus] Elegant, call'd gilded box. |
1.
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3 to 10.
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E 7.
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Daphne mezerium [mezereum] An early flowering sweet scented little shrub. [mezereon, paradise plant] |
2.
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1. to 3.
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8
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Calycanthus floridus Odoriferous, its blossoms scented like the Pine apple. ["Sweet Shrub of Carolina," Carolina allspice] |
5.
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4 to 8.
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9.
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Berberis canadensis Berries of a perfect coral red [barberry] |
3.
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2. to 4.
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E. 10.
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Æsculus hippocastanum A magnificent flowering & shady Tree. [horse chestnut] |
2.
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20, 40, to 50.
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11.
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Evonimus atrapurpurous Its fruit of a bright crimson in the Autumn (burning bush). [Euonymus atropurpureus] |
3.
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6 to 8.
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12.
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Fothergilla gardeni[i] Early in blossom; flowers in spikes, white & delicate. [dwarf fothergilla, dwarf witchalder] |
6.
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2 to 4.
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13.
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Franklinia alatamaha Flowers large, white & fragrant--native of Georgia. [Franklin tree] |
1.
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3, 15 to 20
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14
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Baccharis [1] In autumn silvered over with white silky down. |
3.
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4 to 6.
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15.
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Laurus estivalis [æstivalis] Aromatic & beautified with coral red berries. [bay tree] |
1.
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5 to 8.
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16.
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Kalmia angustifolia (with the Gaultheria [procumbens], or mountain tea [wintergreen]) Evergreen; garnished with crimson speckled flowers. ["Thyme leav'd Kalmia," lambkill, sheep laurel] |
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1 to 2.
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17
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Ilex angustifolia Evergreen, new. [holly] |
1
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3 to 6.
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18.
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Dirca palustris Early in bloom; singular--(call'd Leather wood). ["Leather Bark"] |
2.
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2. to 3.
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19.
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Thuja occidentalis A handsome evergreen Tree; beautiful foliage, & odoriferous. [American arborvitae, white cedar] |
4
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15, 30, to 40.
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20.
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Zanthorhiza apiifolia Singular flowers early: its root affords a splendid transparent yellow dye (call'd Yellow root, in Carola). [Xanthorhiza simplicissima] |
6.
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1 to 3.
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21.
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Jeffersonia egrilla Foliage of deep splendid green, & embellished with a delicate plumage of white flowers (call'd Iron wood.) |
1.
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4 to 10
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22.
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Magnolia tripetala [2] Foliage ample, expansive & light, plumed with large white flowers, which are succeeded by large crimson strobile. ["Umbrella Tree"] |
1.
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8 to 15.
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23.
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Magnolia acuminata Erect with a pyramidal head, the dry strobile odoriferous. ["Cucumber Tree"] |
1.
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30, 80 to 100.
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24.
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Halesia tetraptera [or carolina] The flowers abundant, white, of the shape of little bells. [Carolina silverbell] [3] |
1.
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4, 10, to 15.
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25.
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Viburnum opulifolium of singular beauty in flower and fruit. |
1.
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3 to 7.
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26
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Viburnum Arboreum very shewy in flower. fruit eatable. |
2.
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6, 10, 15.
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27.
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Viburnum Alnifolium handsome flowering shrub. [Viburnum lantanoides; hobble bush] |
2.
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3 to 6.
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28.
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Cupressus disticha stature majestic, foliage most delicate, wood of a fine yellow colour, odoriferous & incorruptible. ["Bald Cyprus"] |
1.
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50, 80, 100.
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E. 29.
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Sorbus sativa [4] Its fruit pear & apple shaped, as large & well tasted when mellow. |
1.
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10, 15, 30.
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30.
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Carpinus ostrya handsome form, dress becoming, fruit singular. (Hop tree). [5] ["Horn Beam"] |
3.
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10, 15. 20.
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31.
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Sorbus aucuparia Foliage elegant, embellished with umbells of coral red berries. [European mountain ash] |
2.
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8, 15, 30.
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32.
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Acer striatum singularly beautiful; the younger branches inscribed with silvery lines, or scrawls, on a dark purpleish green ground. [Acer pensylvanicum; striped maple, moosewood] |
1.
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10 to 20.
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b 33.
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Acer glaucum beautiful foliage. spreading & shady--(Silver-leaf'd Maple). [6] |
2.
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30, 50.
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34.
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Acer sacharinum [7] A stately Tree, in his native forests--(Sugar Maple) |
1.
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50, 80, 100.
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E 35.
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Acer platanoides graceful stature, full of asscending branches, foliage & flower elegant, casts a grateful shade on the Lawn. [Norway maple] |
2.
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30, 50.
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e 36.
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Stewartia malachodendron Floriferous, the flowers large & white embellished with a large tuft of black or purple threads in their centre. [silky stewartia or stuartia] |
4
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5 to 8.
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37.
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Clethra alnifolia Flowers abundant in spikes, exceedingly sweet scented. ["Clethra," sweet pepperbush] |
1.
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3 to 6
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38.
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Styrax grandifolium a most charming flowering shrub, blossoms snow white & of the most grateful scent; (called Snow-drop tree). [snowbell, storax] |
1
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3 to 10.
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E. b. 39.
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Philadelphus coronarius a sweet flowering shrub, (call'd Mock Orange) |
2.
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4, 6, 10.
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40.
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Philadelphus inodorus his robe a silvery flower'd mantle. |
1.
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5, 7, 10.
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e 41.
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Pinus Strobus Magnificent! he presides in the evergreen Groves (white pine). |
6.
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50, 80, 100.
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E. f 42.
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Pinus communis a stately tree, foliage of a Seagreen colour, & exhibits a good appearance whilst young. (Scotch Fir). [8] |
2.
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20, 40, 60.
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E 43.
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Pinus Larix elegant figure & foliage. ["Larch Tree"] |
1.
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40 to 60.
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E 44.
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Thuja orientalis Foliage pleasing. [oriental arborvitae] |
1
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6 to 12
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45
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Robinia villosa a gay shrub, enrobed with plumed leaves & roseat flowers. ["Peach Blossom Acacia"] |
4
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1, 2, 3, 5, 6.
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e 46.
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Pinus balsamea [9] a tree of pleasing figure, delicate foliage, evergreen, & affords fragrant & medicinal balsam (Balm of Gilead Fir). |
6.
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20 to 40.
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f. 47.
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Pinus abies virginiana A Stately evergreen Tree, his foliage of delicate appearance; the wood useful and durable, & of great value (Hemlock Spruce). [10] |
5.
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50, 80, 100.
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E 48.
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Cornus mascula [or mas] flowers early, the fruit oblong of the size of a plum, of a fine crimson colour, and wholsome pleasant eating. [Cornelian cherry] |
1.
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5, 8, 10.
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E. 49.
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Prunus cerasus, flore roseo more or less according to the stock; a very beautiful flowering tree, its blushing blossoms double--(double flowering cherry). |
1
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5, 10, 20,
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e 50.
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Prunus maritima flowers early, fruit of a dark purple sweet & pleasant eating. ["Beach or Sea-side-Plumb"] |
1
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5 to 8,
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f. 51.
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Prunus missisipi Fruit of the largest size, oval; of a perfect deep crimson colour, possesses an agreeable taste, & affords an animating marmolade. ["Crimson Plumb"] |
1
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6, 8, 10, 12.
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52.
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Prunus chicasa Early flowering, very fruitful; the fruit nearly round, cleft, red, purple, yellow, of an inticing look, most agreeable taste & wholsome. ["Chicasaw Plumb"] |
1
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6, 8, 10.
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e 53.
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Glycine frutescens A rambling florobundant climber; the blossoms in large pendant clusters, of a fine celestial blue, well adapted for covering arbors. [Wisteria frutescens; "Kidney Bean Tree," wisteria] |
3.
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54
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Æesculus pavia [red buckeye] |
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55.
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Æ. " varietas their light & airy foliage, crimson & variegated flowers, present a gay & mirthful appearance; continually, whilst in bloom visited by the brilliant thundering Humingbird. The root of this Tree is esteemed preferable to soap, for scouring & cleansing woolen Cloths. |
2.
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6, 8, 10, 12, 15
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e. 56.
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Æsculus virginica beautiful foliage Flowers pale yellow. [yellow horse chestnut] |
1
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20, 40, 50
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57.
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Æsculus alba The branches terminate with long erect spikes of sweet white flowers. |
1
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1, 4, 6.
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E. 58.
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Juniperus sabina Evergreen. [savin] |
1
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1 to 5
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a 59.
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Evonimus americanus evergreen, presents a fine appearance in Autumn, with crimson fruit. [Euonymus americanus; spindle tree] |
1
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4, 7.
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E. f. 60.
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Prunus Laurus cerasus A beautiful evergreen tree of Europe; its green leaves are said to possess a dangerous deleterious quality. [Prunus laurocerasus; cherry laurel, English laurel] |
1
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10, 15, 20.
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61.
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Yucca filamentosa beautiful ornamental evergreen [Adam's needle] |
2
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62.
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Yucca gloriosa [11] flowering plants. [Spanish dagger] |
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c. 63.
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Myrica gale possesses an highly aromatic, and very agreeable scent. ["Bog gale," sweet gale, bog myrtle] |
4
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2 to 4.
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E. b. 64.
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Platanus orientalis a famous tree celebrated for the beauty of his foliage, expansion, and grateful shade he affords. [oriental sycamore, oriental plane] |
2
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60, 80, 100.
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d. 65.
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Amorpha fruticosa [bastard indigo] |
1.
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4, 6 to 8.
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66.
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Amorpha cærulia [cœrulea] Foliage light and delicately pennated, garnished with flowers of a fine [bastard indigo] |
2.
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2--4.
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E. e. 67.
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Salix variegata Silver blotched willow. |
1
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10 to 15.
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68
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Mespilus nivea An early flowering shrub, of uncommon elegance (Snowy mespilus). [medlar] |
1
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10 to 15.
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69.
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Mesp. pubescens Somewhat resembling the foregoing; but of less stature & the flowers not so large, nor of so clean a white: both produce very pleasant fruit. |
2
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2, 3, 4
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70.
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Mesp: pusilla flowers early, the blossoms white & abundant; exhibits a fine appearance. |
1
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1 to 2-1/2
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71.
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Mesp. prunifolia Presents a good appearance, when all red with its clusters of berries. [Aronia prunifolia; chokeberry] |
1.
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2, 4, 5.
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E. f. 72.
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Colutia [Colutea] arborescens exhibits a good appearance, foliage pinnated, of a soft pleasant green, colour, interspersed with the large yellow papillionacious flowers, in succession. [bladder senna] |
3.
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3, 6, 10.
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E. 73.
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Rhus Italicum [sumac] |
1.
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8 to 12.
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E. 74.
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Mespilus pyracantha a beautiful flowerg shrub, evergreen in mild seasons. [Pyracantha coccinea; firethorn] |
4.
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4, 8, 10.
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75.
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Itea virginiana [or virginica] a handsome flowerg shrub. [Virginia sweetspire, Virginia willow, tassel-white] |
3.
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3 to 6.
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76.
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Cornus alba [12] white berried swamp Dogwood. |
1.
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3, 6
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77.
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Prunus divaricata diciduous, flowers white in raumes [racemes], stems diverging & branches pendulous. [Prunus cerasifera divaricata; cherry plum] |
2.
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6, 8.
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78.
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Hydrangia [Hydrangea] arborescens Ornamental in shruberies, flowers white in large corymbes. |
3.
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3, 5, 6.
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79.
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Andromeda axil[l]aris Evergreen. [bog rosemary] |
1.
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1 to 3.
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80
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Acer pumilum handsome shrub for coppices, foliage singular, younger shoots red. [dwarf maple] |
3.
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4. 8.
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E. 81.
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Amygdalus persica, flore pleno of great splendour & amiable presence. [Prunus persica, flore pleno; double-flowered peach] |
1.
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8, 10, 12.
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Magnolia glauca charming--the milk-white roseate blossom possesses an animating fragrance. [Magnolia virginiana; "Rose Laurel," sweet bay, swamp magnolia] |
1.
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3. 10. 15.
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83.
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Sambucus rubra early flowering and handsome; its coral red berries in large clusters, ripe abt midsummer. [Sambucus canadensis; American elder, sweet elder] |
1
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3, 5, 7.
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84
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Rubus odoratus foliage beautiful; flowers of the figure, colour & fragrance of the rose. [flowering raspberry, thimbleberry] |
3.
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3 to 7.
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f. 85.
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Rosa Pennsylvanica flor: pleno flowers monthly from May 'till Novembr [Rosa palustris; swamp rose] |
2.
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2 to 4
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86.
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Lonicera inodora Twine's round, & ascends trees spreading its bloom over their boughs. [honeysuckle] |
1
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5, 10, 20
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b. 87.
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Ribes oxyacanthoides [14] fruit small & smooth. ["Prickly Goosberry"] |
1
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3, 5.
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88.
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Populus balsamifera foliage beautiful, its buds in the spring replete with an odoriferous balsam. [balsam poplar] |
1.
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7. 15. 20.
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E. f. 89.
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Crategus [Cratægus] aria foliage beautiful; silvered with white cottony down, underside. [hawthorn] |
1.
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20, 30.
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90.
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Pt[e]lea trifoliata singular, (call'd the foil tree) ["Trefoil Tree," hop tree] |
2.
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4 to 9.
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91.
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Lonicera symphoricarpos singular; appears well in winter when garnished with clusters of red berries. ["Indian Currants"] |
1.
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2. 4.
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E. 92.
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Laurus nobilis Sweet Bay, a celebrated Evergreen--leaves odoriferous. ["Red Bay," bay laurel, sweet bay] |
1.
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10. 20. 30.
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e. 93.
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Rhus triphyllum Singular early flowering shrub. ["Poison Oak," sumac] |
5.
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3 to 7.
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E. 94.
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Citisus laburnum foliage delicate, embellished with pendant clusters of splendid yellow papillionacious flowers. [Cytisus anagyroides laburnum, Laburnum anagyroides; Golden-Chain] |
1.
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10. 15.
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E. 95.
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Periploca græca climbing up trees & shrubs; flowers very singular. [silk vine] |
2.
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7 to 10.
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96.
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Hibiscus coccineus a most elegant flowering plant; flowers large, of a splendid crimson colour. [scarlet rosemallow] |
1.
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8 to 10.
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97.
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Bignonia crucigera A climber, mounting to the tops of trees & buildings; flowers abundant. ["Cross Vine," trumpet flower] |
1
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40 to 50.
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98.
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Bignonia semper virens A climber as famous, at least for the richness of his robe; flowers of a splendid golden yellow, & odoriferous; very proper for covering arbors &c. ["Yellow Jasmin"] |
2
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99.
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Betula (alnus) maritima [15] singular; retains his verdure very late in the autumn. ["Sea side Alder"] |
2.
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6, 10. 12.
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f. E. 100.
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Amygdalus pumila, flor: pleno A most elegant flowering shrub; ornimental in vases for Court yards &c. [Prunus pumila, flore pleno; sand or dwarf cherry, dwarf double-flowering almond] |
1
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2 to 4
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c. 101.
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Arundo donax Maiden Cane. |
1.
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5. 6. 8.
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e 102.
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Callicarpa americana Very shewy & pleasing; the flowers of a delicate incarnate hue, & vast clusters of purple berries. ["Bermudas Mulberry," French mulberry, American beautyberry] |
1.
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3 to 6.
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f. E. 103.
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Syringa persica (Persian Lilac) elegant; its flexile stems terminate with heavy panicles of purple blossoms, of animating fragrance. |
2.
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3 to 5.
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e 104.
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Mimosa virgata Singularly beautiful in its plumed foliage--native of Pearl Island near the Misisipi. |
1.
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3. 5. 10.
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E. 105.
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Punica granatum flor. plen: the figure & splendour of its flowers exceed description. [pomegranate] |
1
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3, 6, 10.
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b. e. 106.
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Aristolochia sipho. Climbs & spreads over trees & other supports, to a great height & distance: flowers of singular figure; its abundant large leaves, present it as a vine well adapted for covering arbors. [Aristolochia macrophylla; Dutchman's pipe] |
1
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Notes
1. Probably Baccharis halimifolia, the goundsel tree. [back]
2. Bartram classified this as "Magnolia Umbrella" in his 1784 catalog. [back]
3. Bartram offered "Halesia or Silver Bells 2 varieties" in his 1784 catalog. [back]
4. Probably Sorbus domestica, the service tree. [back]
5. The hop hornbeam is classified as Ostrya virginiana. The hop tree is classified as Ptelea trifoliate; see item #90 below. The American hornbeam is classified as Carpinus caroliniana. [back]
6. The Acer saccharinum is the silver maple, but the Acer saccharum glaucum is a variant of the sugar maple. Bartram's catalog lists "Acer Glauca" as the "Silver leav'd Maple." [back]
7. The correct classification for the sugar maple is Acer saccharum, while Acer saccharinum is the silver maple. [back]
8. The Scots pine is classified as Pinus sylvestris. [back]
9. Bartram's catalog identified the Balm of Gilead Fir as "Pinus Abies Canadesis," but now it is classified as Abies balsamea. [back]
10. Hemlock spruce now are classified under the genus of Tsuga. [back]
11. The Yucca gloriosa and Yucca filamentosa are bracketed together, indicating the purchase of 2 plants total. [back]
12. Bartram classified this tree as "Cornus Perlata" in his 1784 catalog. [back]
13. An endnote at this point in the text explains: "Altho' a wet moorish soil, is the natural soil & situation of this charming flowering tree, (Magnolia glauca) yet, from experience we find it thrives equally well in the common soil & situation of flower gardens shrubberies; & produces a greater abundance of flowers with a longer succession, & the blossoms equally fragrant." [back]
14. Both Bartram and modern botanists classify this plant alternately as Grossularia canadenis. [back]
15. Bartram and modern botanists classify this tree as Alnus Maritima, Betula. [back]
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Link to
Partial List of Plants from Bartram's Nursery |