The Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants, established at Monticello in 1986, collects, preserves, and distributes historic plant varieties and strives to promote greater appreciation for the origins and evolution of garden plants. The program centers on Thomas Jefferson's horticultural interests and the plants he grew at Monticello, but covers the broad history of plants cultivated in America by including varieties documented through the nineteenth century, and choice North American plants, a group of special interest to Jefferson himself.

Jefferson owned over 5,000 acres in Bedford County, Virginia (at Poplar Forest), and he also owned 5,000 acres in Albemarle County, Virginia. Monticello was his pride and joy, but he also maintained five satellite farms surrounding Monticello: Milton, Tufton, Lego, Shadwell, and Pantops. Tufton Farm is now home of the Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants.

Through the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, the Center sponsors many educational programs including three annual Open Houses (one each in April, May, and October) with featured speakers, garden tours, and plant sales; a number of Saturdays in the Garden workshops; and private group tours of the Center's preservation display gardens and nursery. To schedule a group tour, please contact Monticello's Reservations department at 434-984-9881.

We specialize in heritage and native plants. The Garden Shop at Monticello's David M. Rubenstein Visitor Center, open daily, and its companion in the Monticello Online Shop, offer a broad range of historic plants and seeds as well as books, reproduction flower pots, and related items.

Stay in touch with the Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants on Facebook: receive garden-related announcements, learn about upcoming events, and see photos of our gardens throughout the year.

For further information, please contact us:
chp@monticello.org
434-984-9819
P.O. Box 316, Charlottesville, VA, 22902 

There are three notable plant collections located at the Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants:

Irises

The Center's iris collection represents over 300 years of cultivation and breeding.

Rose Border

 The Rose Border at CHP includes varieties first identified as early as the 1400s.

Léonie Bell Rose Garden

Established in memory of rose enthusiast and author, Léonie Bell, the garden features over 30 noisette roses.