The premise of this book is a charming one: many of the founding fathers, particularly Jefferson, Adams, Madison, and Washington, were avid gardeners. What lessons can their passion teach us?

These individuals do, indeed, have lessons to teach us, but, it seems, not quite a book's worth. These founding fathers embraced an ideal which held up the independent, innovative, beauty loving farmer as the ideal citizen (indeed, for Jefferson, this was the only type of citizen that a republic can be built upon). However, they never quite seem to grapple with the problem that the unification of these traits presupposes an education and resources not available to all.

The second lesson, and the one that resonates as a more relevant legacy today, was a pragmatic environmentalism. Although not environmentalists in the modern sense, these founding fathers saw the importance of the environment to both the economy and spirit of the United States. They were interested in reducing the use of fertility destroying farming techniques, finding new and useful plans in the American wilds, and collecting species for the sheer love of their beauty and grandeur.

The passages and sources which elaborate these views are scattered amidst sometimes tedious descriptions of minutia. Fort hose who like reading descriptions of gardens, this may be interesting. I was left bored.

Overall, it was a pleasant read, but not really worth more than half its length. ( )

Several of our founding fathers were very interested in agriculture, gardening, and botany. Author Wulf focuses on Washington, Adams, Jefferson and Madison and their gardens and properties. Although during the colonial era many people did grow their own food out of necessity, these founding fathers took their interests beyond mere sustenance.

When Washington was leading the Continental Army, he would correspond with his estate manager at Mount Vernon and remind him to only plant American native species such as tulip poplars. One exception to native species was a fragrant lilac, to plant around outhouses in hopes of covering up the odors.

While Adams and Jefferson were working behind-the-scenes in Europe, they visited many gardens in their free time and these experiences informed them of how to plan their own gardens back home in America. Not much is discussed in here about Adams’ Peacefield property near Boston, but Jefferson’s Monticello is better known and covered more extensively here.

And Madison could be considered the founding father of environmentalism. Madison thought a lot about nature’s balance and ecology, even giving speeches on the topic.

Wulf also sensitively acknowledges the role of enslaved people in maintaining the founding fathers’ gardens. This is one aspect of history, along with others, incorporated in this volume. There are illustrations and photos. Planting and growing advice will need to be found elsewhere.

(ETA: In 2023, well after I read this, this book was included in the DAR Book Club list for 2023-2024). ( )

It gives me a completely new and appreciative perspective on George Washington. I knew he had encouraged domestic products as opposed to imports for home use, but I hadn't realized that his philosophy extended to plants, as well.
And he was so clearly a farmer at heart, longing to be back at home all those years, and working beside his slaves, digging and pruning, with his coat removed.
I would have stood in line to dance with the man, too. ( )

Four of the founding fathers - Washington, Adams, Jefferson and Madison, are portrayed within the lens of their relationship to their gardens. It's surprising to read about the extent to which their gardens figured prominently in their lives. For them, the survival of the republic lay in part on the country's ability to take care of its own needs through agriculture. For Jefferson in particular, there was a need to prove the fecundity of his country, as compared with Europe.

The book is ordered somewhat chronologically, starting with Washington and Mt Vernon, and moving through the next 3 presidents and the development of their estates. Included is the story of the development of the capital in Washington DC, and the slow development of the buildings and the landscape.

Of great interest to me was the environmental bent of each of these men, and in particular, Madison. This book confirms for me that right from the get-go our government developed an awareness of issues like soil depletion and over-harvesting of trees, and sought solutions to these issues.

The book is full of fascinating information, and shares quite a unique perspective to the beginnings of our country and our agricultural roots. ( )

Really interesting history of the U.S. incorporating our Founding Fathers' interest in plants and how in many ways it shaped their decisions and perspectives. It gets better as you go on. ( )