Kitchen Gardens at Andrew Jackson's Hermitage

The Hermitage Garden

The largest and most ornamental garden on the property sits outside the brick mansion and is anchored by the tombs of Andrew and Rachel Jackson. It was built in 1821 and actively directed by Rachel, so is often referred to as “Rachel’s Garden.” The garden reflects Rachel’s love for flowers and is filled with antique roses, peonies, daffodils, hyacinth, Sweet Williams, petunias and other showy blooms. There are few records aside from a receipt from the 1820s revealing Rachel’s purchase of a lemon tree, geraniums, polyanthus, daisies and boxwoods from John Mears in Louisville. The Ladies’ Hermitage Association took over management of the property in 1889 and restored the garden as one of their first projects. They designed it in the style of an 1850s pleasure garden, which is still maintained today. Plant materials changed over the decades but today the staff and Master Gardeners make an effort to include only plants that are known to be widely available before the 1920s to keep it true to the style of the key time periods in the garden’s history.

Nineteenth Century Foodways Garden

The enslaved men and women of the Hermitage created, tended, and harvested vegetables and herbs in this garden. Crops grown there today include heirloom corn and tomatoes that they would have incorporated into their meals at the time. While The Hermitage endeavors to recover more personal information about the African American men, women and children who also called this place home, there are few known records about them or their time in the gardens. We somberly recognize the impact these individuals had on production and preparation of food at the residence and during this time in history before emancipation.

Agriculture Display Garden

Various plants commonly used during this time in history, such as cotton, are found in this demonstration garden. The slavery system allowed Jackson’s agriculture plan to be successful; the garden today is a small reproduction to demonstrate the crops grown for agricultural commerce and residential use. As with the other gardens, few records have been found about the details of the specific crops or management practices.

The horticulture staff and MGofDC make an effort to only implement plants from the nineteenth century era and follow maintenance practices to the best of their knowledge to honor the individuals and communities who lived on the property and educate modern day visitors to the site. Information about nineteenth century practices can be limited and new plants can creep into the gardens, but the staff and volunteers rise to the challenges.

Volunteer at the Hermitage Gardens to contribute to horticultural history for your own enjoyment and education, and that of visitors to the property.

The Hermitage Garden is located east of the mansion and is accessible from three gates in the fence enclosing the garden: one by the tomb, one from inside the mansion, and another by Alfred’s Cabin

The Foodways Garden is located northwest of the mansion between the Administration Building and Grounds restrooms.

The Agricultural Display Garden is located south of the First Hermitage Cabins, northeast of mansion.

Accessibility

Paved pathways provide access to The Hermitage Garden but the garden paths and access to the other gardens is on uneven terrain that can be challenging for wheelchairs. Carts providing a ride to individuals with mobility issues can be requested at the Andrew Jackson Center.

Visit the Hermitage website for more on Accessibility & Assistance.