Sweet Bay Magnolia
Magnolia virginiana
A hardy, deciduous to semi-evergreen, Eastern North American tree, popular in both American and European gardens in the 19th century.
Thomas Jefferson recording the planting of Sweet Bay trees adjacent to the house at Monticello and also observed the species flowering on May 22, 1808. Sweet Bay was the first Magnolia cultivated in European gardens. It was introduced to England from Virginia by John Bannister in 1688. In 1705, a pioneer natural historian from Virginia, Robert Beverly, wrote of the blossoms: "The pleasantest smell in the world." This was the most common Magnolia sold by American nurseries early in the 19th century.
In Bloom at Monticello is made possible by support from The Richard D. and Carolyn W. Jacques Foundation.
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Between April and October, all house tours come with a free guided Garden Tour, or you can explore the grounds on your own with the Bloomberg Connects App
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Heirloom Seeds and Plants from the Monticello collection
Plant history in your gardens with seeds and plants from Monticello and the Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants.
