Master Gardeners Preserving a Colonial Heritage
Colonial Williamsburg's historical gardens are a sight to behold and a rich source of knowledge about the area's heritage. These gardens, showcasing 18th-century horticultural practices, are a testament to the past. Thanks to the James City County Williamsburg Master Gardener Association volunteers, guests to Colonial Williamsburg can enjoy the well-preserved Catherine Orr, Governor’s Palace Herb, and Shields Tavern Gardens and gain a deeper understanding of their historical heritage.
Colonial Era Garden Composition and Diversity
Flower beds encircle the Orr Garden vegetable beds and frame the Shields Tavern patio. These gardens feature flowers that were available in the 18th century. Many are recognizable and available today, such as coneflower, rudbeckia, and snapdragons. Other varieties are heirlooms and not as readily available, such as Carolina Thermopsis, some daffodils (Thalia), gomphrena, and garden valerian.
Vegetable gardens are located at the Orr Garden and behind Shields Tavern. Many plants are included seasonally as they would have been in the 18th century. Some plants winter over; cabbage, mustard greens, fava beans, corn salad, and collards are among those that survive the winter for an early start in spring. Summer squashes, peppers, melons, sweet potatoes, and beans are usual plantings for hot weather. Varieties not readily available today include Armenian cucumbers, pocket melons, salsify, skirret, and many varieties of radish, lettuce, and spinach. Harvested vegetables and produce are donated to the Williamsburg House of Mercy.
Herb Garden Governor's Palace
Herb Gardens are located in the Orr Garden, behind Shields Tavern, and in the kitchen garden at the Governor’s Palace. All contain a variety of plants used in the 18th century for cooking and medicinal purposes. Some early varieties include borage, clary sage, comfrey, tansy, and summer and winter savory.
Our Master Gardener volunteers, a dedicated group of individuals, are not just gardeners; they are educators and informers. The Colonial Williamsburg staff interviews Master Gardener volunteers and must commit to at least thirty (30) volunteer hours annually in the gardens of Colonial Williamsburg. These Master Gardeners, with their wealth of experience, ensure that each plant, vegetable, flower, or herb contributes to the authenticity of the historical experience. They are always ready to engage with the variety of CW guests and visitors walking around Williamsburg, sharing the historical significance of each garden and the essential role of plants in the 18th century for food, medicine, and beauty.
Meet the Gardener Tours
Meet the Master Gardener
From mid-March through mid-October, Colonial Williamsburg offers Meet the Gardener Tours for guests to Colonial Williamsburg. During the year, Colonial Williamsburg hosts 500 to 600 guests who enjoy their introduction to colonial gardening. These tours, led by Master Gardener volunteers, are immersive experiences, not just walks through beautiful landscapes. The Master Gardeners’ enthusiasm and expertise are evident as they discuss the challenges of maintaining historical accuracy in living landscapes. They share insights into the original uses of the gardens and how these spaces were integral to the daily lives of colonists.
Master Gardener volunteers also contribute to preserving these historical gardens by commitment to sustainable gardening practices. They learn to sustain the garden beds throughout the year, providing attractive displays for Colonial Williamsburg guests.
Learn More
Our Master Gardener volunteers can be found at work in these gardens from March through November. Flowers sessions at Orr and Shields are planned for Mondays, vegetables at Orr and Shields for Fridays, and Tuesdays for herbs at the Palace Garden. To learn more, visit the gardens and chat with our Master Gardeners. They are happy to share their gardening knowledge and passion for gardening, as well as the rich cultural heritage of our area. Guests to Colonial Williamsburg can also join the "Meet the Gardener" tours to witness firsthand the master gardeners' expertise and passion for historical horticulture.
