Umbrella Magnolia
Magnolia tripetala
A hardy North American native tree with distinctive cup-shaped, creamy white flowers in spring and pale- green to pink cone-like fruits in fall.
Umbrella Magnolias were planted numerous times at Monicello, beginning in 1767 at Shadwell, Jefferson's birthplace; in 1778, when 32 trees were planted in the Upper Grove; and in 1810 when a “row of Umbrella seeds” were planted in the terrace of the nursery. He also sent seeds of this native species to his friend Madame de Tessé in Paris, and listed it as an ornamental tree in his only published book, Notes on the State of Virginia, 1782. The Umbrella Magnolia was first introduced to Britain in 1752, likely from seed sent to Philip Miller by Philadelphia naturalist John Bartram. The tree was growing in the Chelsea Physic Garden by 1755.
In Bloom at Monticello is made possible by support from The Richard D. and Carolyn W. Jacques Foundation.
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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.
