Tulip Poplar Flower
Tulip Poplar leaves
Tulip Poplar Flower
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. Its dramatic, golden yellow autumn color, its ornamental, orange and green, tulip-like flowers, and its unusual leaves and quick growth lend this species the mythological glory Thomas Jefferson justly admired.
Visit Monticello’s Online Shop to check for seeds, plants, or products of Tulip Poplar.
Typical Blooming Dates: May–June
Blossom Color(s): Yellow, Orange, Green
Location at Monticello: Various locations
Video tribute to a Jefferson-era Tulip Poplar was removed in 2011 due to its deteriorating health and concerns about its structural integrity.
Guitar makers Huss & Dalton transform wood from a Jefferson-era tulip poplar into an elegant, history-inspired instrument.
In Bloom at Monticello is made possible by support from The Richard D. and Carolyn W. Jacques Foundation.