CHP Fall Open House and Plant Sale

Join us at the Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants (CHP) for our Annual Fall Open House and Plant Sale, including scheduled garden tours, farm visits, and more! Monticello’s nursery will have a variety of flowers, trees, shrubs and seeds available for sale, and our knowledgeable nursery staff will be on hand to answer your gardening questions.

We are thrilled to welcome Jacob Suissa and Ben Goulet-Scott of Let's Botanize to Tufton Farm as they lead a conversation about the exploration of the natural world. The Harvard Ph.D. grads in Evolutionary Biology believe that paying more attention to plants can both bring us joy and help us grow to become better stewards of our planet. With more than 125,000 Instagram followers, it’s clear that their message is resonating far and wide. Following their presentation, attendees will enjoy a special walk around the farm to put their new-found knowledge to the test!

Come early to buy your plants and don’t miss this fascinating presentation run by two very cool guys. Seating is limited and the coffee is delicious!

Open House Highlights

10:00 a.m. Coffee, Presentation, and Tufton Farm Botany Walk with Jacob and Ben
11:30 a.m. Garden Walking Tour with Monticello Curator of Plants, Peggy Cornett
1:00 p.m. Bee Talk with Farm Associate, Anna Lobianco-Sims
Fall Plant, Tree and Shrub sale!
Back by popular demand! We Grow Shop, a Scottsville-based plant shop, will be selling tropical and indoor plants and other garden goods, including gorgeous ceramic planters.

Let’s Botanize is an educational non-profit using plant life to teach about ecology, evolution, and biodiversity, with a primary goal to democratize the study of plant biology by creating accessible and entertaining content without compromising scientific rigor.

Ben and Jacob earned their Ph.Ds at Harvard University in the Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology. Ben studied the genetic and ecological drivers of evolution in the wildflower genus Phlox, and is currently the Higher Education & Laboratory Coordinator at Harvard Forest. Jacob is a classically trained botanist, who studies how plants construct their bodies, how they function, and how they have evolved across deep time. His primary research focuses on the ferns. Jacob is currently an NSF postdoctoral fellow at Cornell University and will become an Assistant Professor at the University of Tennessee Knoxville in 2024.

You can find Let’s Botanize on Instagram and TikTok @letsbotanize or on the web at www.letsbotanize.org.

Did you know that spending time outdoors and around plants has been medically tied to better mental and physical health? Botanizing also allows us to take a much-needed break from our fast-paced 21st-century lifestyle and to connect more with like-minded members of our community.

Join Jacob Suissa and Ben Goulet-Scott on the lawn at Tufton House as they share insights about these and other thoughts, including a look at why a true appreciation for plants has the potential to shift our collective and cultural mindset with nature. You’ll leave with encouragement and hands-on tips of how to get started botanizing today!

Take a stroll through our fall gardens with Peggy Cornett as she shares historical facts and fascinating stories about the many plants along your path. Be inspired by the design and natural beauty these perennials hold and learn ways to create your own dazzling displays at home. Many of the species you’ll learn about during the tour will be available for purchase in our nursery by either seed or potted plant.

Join us at the Center for Historic Plants' Barn for a presentation on Monticello's two apiaries. Learn about the intricacies of seasonal bee management practices, the inner workings of a hive, and gain hands-on experience with hive parts, tools, and assembly. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a tasting of this year's Tufton honey!

Participate in our Garden-related Book Swap

Simple rules apply: leave a book; take a book!

Sales are credit card only

The Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants
GPS Address: 1293 Tufton Farm, Charlottesville, VA 22902