This is also posted to the GW Fig Forum. I visited Monticello this past June and was in for a treat. Peaches, apricots and cherries were ripening in abundance - very good treats. I was too early though for the fig crop. The fig orchard was ‘significant’ (more than I expected) and figs were planted in various spots across the estate. They were however, not labeled.

The book, ‘The Fruits and Fruit Trees of Monticello’ by Peter Hatch (1998) is worth reading if you would like to know more about historical fruit trees, etc. Some of the facts in this posting came from this book and other materials referenced below.

All of the fruit orchards at Monticello have been recreated. The orchard restorations started in 1982 and the figs were reestablished starting in 1984. (The figs now at Monticello are not the ones that Jefferson brought to the location - they are part of an historical re-creation of what Jefferson likely had planted) The figs are mostly grown in the "submural beds" which is a sheltered area on the south side of the mountain, near the top. Six figs are grown at Monticello, including Thomas Jefferson’s favorite - the Marsailles. The other five are Brunswick, Green Ischia, Angilica [Angilique], Brown Turkey and Osborn. From what is written, Jefferson returned from France in 1789 with figs named "white" Marsailles, Angelic (Angelique), and a "large fig." Figs were however, planted as early as 1769. There is reference to an "Ancient fig" which may have been there before he arrived in 1769 and a "purple" fig in 1817. Additional unknown figs were added in 1809 & 1810 coming from Dr. William Thornton.

Fresh figs and plants were given to friends including John Cocke who developed Bremo, a 3000+ acre agricultural estate along the James River, forty miles s.e. of Monticello. It is speculated that figs from that time may still exist on that property although unlikely based on what was available for me to read.

I purchased the following figs at Monticello - (the descriptions were provided by Monticello. Figs can be purchased during the season - starting in mid June - call first).

Green Ishia - Produces medium sized, dry but rich tasting fruits with a yellowish-green skin and strawberry colored pulp. Also called Verte.

Angelique - Produces large, sweet fruits with cream-colored flesh and greenish-white, darkly striped skin in late summer and fall, bears abundantly. This fig is believed to be the same variety that Jefferson grew.

Marseilles - Small, greenish-white fruits in late summer. This came from E.L. According to Edible Landscaping’s catalogue Marseilles is also known as "Latturula/St. Anthony/ Oregon Prolific) and is described as a"Large yellow fig that ripens at the end of July on previous seasons growth."

I inquired with Monticello about the sources of their other five reestablished figs. Their notes on this topic are buried deeply although it was suggested that some may have possibly come from Bremo. One article however, says the Bremo figs were a later planting of Brown Turkey. Does anyone know about the sources of their figs?

I received a general bit of info on their soil mix which was very good for the figs that I brought home. Pro-mix, bark, lime to neutralize and Osmocote. Proportions were not give, but it sounds similar to some good mixes that have been suggested on our forum.

I highly recommend visiting Monticello - it is a fabulous historical place.
Here are some interesting links for additional interesting reading/research.

Figs: "Vulgar" Fruit or "Wholesome" Delicacy http://www.twinleaf.org/articles/figs.html

Marseilles Fig http://www.twinleaf.org/articles/marseilles.html

Southern Plant Lists from Southern Garden History Society - Joint project with The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Sept 2000 - Very good researched documentation on fruits grown in the early years here in the States http://southerngardenhistory.org/PDF/SouthernPlantLists.pdf

Bremo Recesses , Fluvanna County,Virginia by Fannie G. Campbell (1923) http://www.vintagedesigns.com/architecture/jrev/brecess/hgov/index.htm

Champneys' Pink Cluster Comes to Monticello http://www.twinleaf.org/articles/roses.html (in this article there is a reference to figs at Bremo)

Southern Garden History Society - Information on old historic properties. Good link to various Southern gardens http://www.southerngardenhistory.org/links.html

Monticello Center for Historic Plants http://www.monticello.org/chp/

Ingevald