Tulip Poplar

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.

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Typical Blooming Dates: May–June
Blossom Color(s): Yellow, Orange, Green
Location at Monticello: Various locations