In Bloom: 2009-06-25 Out of Bloom: 2009-11-16 Growth Type: Perennial Hardiness Zones: 1 - 10 Location at Monticello: East and West Lawn Planting Conditions: Full Sun and Partial Shade

Heliotrope Heliotropium arborescens (Click image to enlarge)

In 1786, while serving as Minister to France, Jefferson sent a collection of seeds and plants home to friends, including the lovely blue-flowering heliotrope: "To be sowed in spring. A delicious flower, but I suspect it must be planted in boxes & kept in the house in winter. The smell rewards the care." This is the species, or wild form, of heliotrope and is likely identical to the one Jefferson knew in the eighteenth century. Visit Monticello's Online Shop to check for seeds or plants of Heliotrope. Close Window © Thomas Jefferson Foundation, Inc.