Seeds of the Sensitive Plant were first planted in an oval flower bed at Monticello on March 22, 1811. The seeds had been sent by Philadelphia nurseryman, Bernard McMahon, who discussed the plant in his 1806 The American Gardener's Calendar. McMahon wrote, "The sensibility of this plant is worthy of admiration, that ... [with] the least touch, ... the leaves just like a tree a dying, droop and complicate themselves immediately ... so that a person would ... think they were really endowed with the sense of feeling."
This plant is a tender, flowering shrub grown as an annual with wide mats of finely textured leaves that close when touched and small pink, pompon flowers in summer.
Visit Monticello’s Online Shop to check for seeds or plants of Sensitive Plant.
Typical Blooming Dates: July - October
Color(s): Pink
Location at Monticello: West Lawn
The Sensitive Plant is sensitive!
In Bloom at Monticello is made possible by support from The Richard D. and Carolyn W. Jacques Foundation.