Tulip Poplar
Liriodendron tulipifera
The tallest deciduous tree native to North America, which Jefferson as “the Juno of our Groves.”
Jefferson described the Tulip Poplar as "The Juno of our Groves" when he forwarded seeds to a Parisian friend, Madame de Tessé, in 1805. Two years later he noted the planting of a young tree west of the house at Monticello. The Tulip Poplar, also called Yellow Poplar or Tuliptree, is the tallest hardwood species of the eastern North American forest. It is a majestic and graceful tree and is especially treasured in European parks and gardens, where it was first described in 1687.
It bears tulip-shaped, yellow, orange and green flowers in spring and is the favored host tree of the Eastern Swallowtail Butterfly. Its dramatic, golden yellow autumn color and its unusual leaves and quick growth lend this species the mythological glory Thomas Jefferson justly admired.
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.
