The cherry was the South Orchard's third most prominent fruit tree. Unlike the two major fruits, the cherry was a culinary luxury that supplied a "precious refreshment" early in the season when few fruits were ripe. Jefferson admired the ornamental qualities of the cherry and continued an ancient European and enduring colonial Virginia tradition by planting trees decoratively along the "long walk" of the vegetable garden terrace. The Carnation was his favorite variety, "so superior to all others that no other deserves the name of cherry."
Selected cherry varieties at Monticello
1
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2
Carnation Cherries
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of
2
A May Duke Cherry