Encyclopedia
Peaches
An in-depth look at Thomas Jefferson's interest in peaches and his efforts to grow them at Monticello.
Moor Park Apricot
Prunus armeniaca 'Moor Park'
Apricots were introduced from Italy to England and the hybrid Moor Park was named for the estate where it first fruited. The small tree produces round, firm, aromatic, bright orange fruit.
Jefferson ordered the Moor Park from the William Prince nursery in 1791 and later received scions from Timothy Matlack in 1807. The Moor Park was introduced into England in 1760 and was named for the estate where it first fruited. The tree produces large, roundish bright orange fruit with a very firm orange flesh.
Jefferson was also known to have directed the planting the Peach, Brussels, and Large Early varieties of apricot as well as another from France he called the "Melon" peach.
Text adapted from Fruit and Fruit Trees of Monticello by Peter J. Hatch.
In Bloom at Monticello is made possible by support from The Richard D. and Carolyn W. Jacques Foundation.
When you're here...
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
Related
-
![AI generated image from an original Monticello photograph]()
-
![]()
EncyclopediaMonticello's South Orchard
Thomas Jefferson had over 105 varieties of fruit tress planted in Monticello's South Orchard in addition to several varieties of berries and wine grapes.
-
![A ten-section, glass-lidded, rustic cedar box with seed varieties from the Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants: Rouge Demi-Longue de Chantenay Carrot, Long Red Cayenne Pepper, Bull Nose Pepper, Cherokee Purple Tomato, and Long Green Improved Cucumber.]()
ShopHeirloom 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.
