Garden

A seventeenth-century garden sits next to Bacon's Castle. Following the study of documents and drawings from 1859 and 1871, the APVA and the Garden Club of Virginia sponsored an archaeological investigation. After removing 18 inches of top soil, archaeologists found three separate gardens. The oldest garden dates to the seventeenth century and may be the earliest of its kind found in North America.

The plan for the early garden is a rectangular grid divided into six planting beds. White sand walkways give access to the planting beds. A brick wall at the north end of the garden provides wind protection and sun-reflected warmth for the starting bed at its base. Near the foundations of outbuildings around the garden archaeologists found wine bottles bearing the seals of Arthur Allen.

Only plant varieties that were grown in the late 17th century are cultivated at the Castle garden. Plants of that time that we know today include Larkspur, Hollyhocks, Snapdragons, and Columbine. Less common heirlooms that still flourish at the Castle include Elecampane, Sensitive Plant, Celandine Poppy, Sweet Rocket, and Love Lies Bleeding Amaranth. Heirloom plants give us a glimpse of our ancestry-they are living hand-me-downs. These plants are often more vigorous, flavorful, colorful and reliable than today's hybrids.