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Plants of the Fort Vancouver Garden

A green quince fruit growing on a tree.
Quince was among the fruits grown at Fort Vancouver in the 1800s, and is still grown in the Demonstration Garden at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site.

NPS Photo

The plants listed on this page are those known to have been grown in Dr. John McLoughlin's garden at Fort Vancouver. The garden was an important part of life at this Hudson's Bay Company fort - it provided food for the residents of the fort and a leisurely place to enjoy a stroll. As you will read in the tables below, the plants that the Hudson's Bay Company brought to Fort Vancouver originated from places around the world. In the 1800s, the garden at Fort Vancouver was a unique place with many plants that could not be found elsewhere in the Northwest at that time. Learn more about the history of the garden here.

This information has been collected over many years from historical documents and archaeological research. Sources for this information are included at the end of the plant list. The specified varieties generally represent heirloom varieties currently available that were also available during the time that the Hudson's Bay Company occupied Fort Vancouver (1824-1860). Often the historical sources state nothing more than the common name of the plant, for example, "red beans." Also, identification of pollen obtained during archaeological investigations can only be analyzed to plant family. In those cases, again, currently available heirloom varieties are specified.

If you visit the Demonstration Garden at Fort Vancouver, you'll see many plants that were grown at Fort Vancouver as field crops, rather than in the garden. These representative samples are grown in the garden to show visitors what was grown in the fields that once surrounded the fort. These crop plants include corn, colewort, Mangelwurzel beets, tobacco, cotton, barley, oats, and buckwheat. Learn more about visiting the Demonstration Garden here.
Common Name Latin Name Source Origin & Notes
Artichoke/cardoon Cynara cardunculus Native to the Mediterranean. The young leaf stalks are blanched as they grow and are used for culinary purposes. Appropriate for the time period, but we do not yet have direct evidence for their presence at Fort Vancouver.
Beans - Broad - Fava, Windsor Vicia faba "broad," "red," Gordon & Forsythe seed order Native to Asia Minor and the Mediterranean
Beans - Common Kidney, Caseknife Phaseolus vulgaris Charles Pickering, visitor to Fort Vancouver Native to the Americas, first domesticated in Mesoamerica. Generally used dried.
Beans - Falcon (Dwarf White Rice Kidney) Phaseolus vulgaris "broad," "red," Gordon & Forsythe seed order
Beans - Scarlet runner Phaseolus coccineus "broad," "red," Gordon & Forsythe seed order Native to Central America. Beans can be used fresh or dried. Also considered an ornamental.
Beans - Sweet White Runner Phaseolus coccineus "broad," "red," Gordon & Forsythe seed order Native to Central America. Beans can be used fresh or dried. Also considered an ornamental.
Beets - Chioggia Beta vulgaris "Beets," or "Beets - red" are all that are noted by Charles Pickering, visitor to Fort Vancouver, and in the Gordon & Forsythe seed orders Native to Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Beets - Early Wonder Beta vulgaris "Beets," or "Beets - red" are all that are noted by Charles Pickering, visitor to Fort Vancouver, and in the Gordon & Forsythe seed orders Native to Europe, Asia, and Africa
Broccoli - Purple Sprouting Brassica oleracea L. var. italica Gordon & Forsythe seed orders First bred in the Northern Mediterranean.
Cabbage - Brunswick Brassica oleracea var. capitata Gordon & Forsythe seed orders First domesticated in Europe.
Cabbage - Early Jersey Wakefield Brassica oleracea Gordon & Forsythe seed orders First domesticated in Europe.
Cabbage - Perfection Savoy Brassica oleracea var. sabauda L. Gordon & Forsythe seed orders Possibly originated as a variety in Europe.
Cabbage - Red, Tete Noire Brassica oleracea var. capitata Gordon & Forsythe seed orders First domesticated in Europe.
Carrot - Early Scarlet Horn Daucus carota ssp. sativus "Carrots" noted by Tolmie, N. Wyeth, John Ball, T. Farnham (and others); Gordon & Forsythe seed orders Domesticated first in Western Asia.
Carrot - Long Orange Improved Daucus carota ssp. sativus "Carrots" noted by Tolmie, N. Wyeth, John Ball, T. Farnham (and others); Gordon & Forsythe seed orders Domesticated first in Western Asia.
Carrot - St. Valery Daucus carota ssp. sativus "Carrots" noted by Tolmie, N. Wyeth, John Ball, T. Farnham (and others); Gordon & Forsythe seed orders Domesticated first in Western Asia.
Celery - Golden Self Blanching Apium graveolens "celery" noted by Charles Pickering, visitor to Fort Vancouver; Gordon & Forsythe seed orders Domesticated from native populations in the Mediterranean.
Celery - Red Stalk Apium graveolens var. secalinum "celery" noted by Charles Pickering, visitor to Fort Vancouver; Gordon & Forsythe seed orders Domesticated from native populations in the Mediterranean
Cress - Garden Lepidium sativum John Hussey, Fort Vancouver Farm Native to Western Asia.
Cucumber - Early Green Cluster Cucumis sativus Native to South Asia.
Cucumber - Early Russian Cucumis sativus Native to South Asia.
Cucumber - Long Anglais Cucumis sativus Native to South Asia.
Eggplant - White and Long Purple Solanum melongena Fort Vancouver primary source documents Domesticated in Asia. In the Nightshade family, so would only have been eaten cooked.
Gourds - Drinking Calabash Lagenaria siceraria Noted by Tolmie First domesticated in Asia. Young fruits can be consumed. Mature fruits are dried and used as containers.
Kale - Dwarf Curled Scotch Brassica oleracea var. sabellica Gordon & Forsythe seed orders Native to Western Asia.
Kale - Dwarf Green Curled Brassica oleracea var. sabellica Gordon & Forsythe seed orders Native to Western Asia.
Leeks - American Flag Allium porrum Gordon & Forsythe seed orders Native to the Middle East and Northeastern Africa.
Leeks - Giant Musselburgh Allium porrum Gordon & Forsythe seed orders Native to the Middle East and Northeastern Africa.
Lettuce - White Paris Cos Latuca sativa L. var. longifolia Gordon & Forsythe seed orders Native to the Mediterranean region.
Melon - Noir de Carmes Cucumis melo Gordon & Forsythe seed orders Native origin disputed, likely Asia or Africa.
Melon - Prescott Fond Blanc Cucumis melo Gordon & Forsythe seed orders Native origin disputed, likely Asia or Africa.
Onion - Jaune Paille des Vertus Allium cepa Gordon & Forsythe seed orders Native origin disputed, likely Asia.
Onion - Old White Shallot Allium cepa Gordon & Forsythe seed orders Native origin disputed, likely Asia.
Onion - Sperling Toga or White Bunching Allium fistulosum Gordon & Forsythe seed orders Native origin disputed, likely Asia.
Parsnip - Hollow Crown Pastinaca sativa Gordon & Forsythe seed orders Native to Eurasia.
Parsnip - The Student Pastinaca sativa Gordon & Forsythe seed orders Native to Eurasia.
Peas - Blue Prussian Pisum sativum Gordon & Forsythe seed orders Native to the Mediterranean. Dried peas, grown as a field crop, were often given to Hudson's Bay Company employees as part of their rations. The peas grown in the Garden would have been for fresh consumption.
Peas - Champion of England Pisum sativum Gordon & Forsythe seed orders Native to the Mediterranean. Dried peas, grown as a field crop, were often given to Hudson's Bay Company employees as part of their rations. The peas grown in the Garden would have been for fresh consumption.
Peas - Dwarf Champion Pisum sativum Gordon & Forsythe seed orders Native to the Mediterranean. Dried peas, grown as a field crop, were often given to Hudson's Bay Company employees as part of their rations. The peas grown in the Garden would have been for fresh consumption.
Peas - Marrowfat Pisum sativum Gordon & Forsythe seed orders Native to the Mediterranean. Dried peas, grown as a field crop, were often given to Hudson's Bay Company employees as part of their rations. The peas grown in the Garden would have been for fresh consumption.
Peas - Prince Albert Pisum sativum Gordon & Forsythe seed orders Native to the Mediterranean. Dried peas, grown as a field crop, were often given to Hudson's Bay Company employees as part of their rations. The peas grown in the Garden would have been for fresh consumption.
Potato - French Fingerling Solanum tuberosum Gordon & Forsythe seed orders Native to the Americas. Grown both as a field crop and in the Garden.
Potato - Ozette Solanum tuberosum From South America via Spaniards to the Makah Tribe on the Olympic Peninsula during the 18th century. Potatoes are documented being grown at Fort Vancouver (Gordon & Forsythe seed orders), but not specific varieties. Native to the Americas. Grown both as a field crop and in the Garden.
Potato - Purple Peruvian Solanum tuberosum From South America to Europe in the 16th century. Potatoes are documented being grown at Fort Vancouver (Gordon & Forsythe seed orders), but not specific varieties. Native to the Americas. Grown both as a field crop and in the Garden.
Potato - Red Solanum tuberosum From South America to Europe in the 16th century. Potatoes are documented being grown at Fort Vancouver (Gordon & Forsythe seed orders), but not specific varieties. Native to the Americas. Grown both as a field crop and in the Garden.
Potato - Early Kidney Solanum tuberosum Louis Labonte's Recollections, Oregon Historical Quarterly Vol. IV: 265. 1903. Native to the Americas. Grown both as a field crop and in the Garden.
Radishes - (variety needs research) Raphanus sativus Fort Nisqually Journal of Occurrences March 1835 (1836) 23rd. First domesticated in Asia.
Rutabaga - (variety needs research) Brassica napobrassica Gordon & Forsythe seed orders Originated as a cross between cabbage (Brassica oleracea) and the turnip (Brassica rapa) in Northern Europe. Used for culinary purposes and livestock feed.
Squash - Early Crookneck Cucurbita John Hussey, Fort Vancouver Farm Native to South America and Mesoamerica.
Squash - Green Hubbard Cucurbita John Hussey, Fort Vancouver Farm Native to South America and Mesoamerica.
Squash - Vegetable Marrow Cucurbita John Hussey, Fort Vancouver Farm Native to South America and Mesoamerica.
Squash - White Scallop Cucurbita John Hussey, Fort Vancouver Farm Native to South America and Mesoamerica.
Tomato - Large Red Solanum lycopersicum Noted by Whitman, Spalding. A fruit, but eaten as a cooked vegetable. Native to South America and Mesoamerica. In the Nightshade family, so only eaten cooked.
Tomato - Pomme d'Amour Solanum lycopersicum Noted by Whitman, Spalding. A fruit, but eaten as a cooked vegetable. Native to South America and Mesoamerica. In the Nightshade family, so only eaten cooked.
Tomato - Red Pear Solanum lycopersicum Noted by Whitman, Spalding. A fruit, but eaten as a cooked vegetable. Native to South America and Mesoamerica. In the Nightshade family, so only eaten cooked.
Tomato - Reisentraube Solanum lycopersicum Noted by Whitman, Spalding. A fruit, but eaten as a cooked vegetable. Native to South America and Mesoamerica. In the Nightshade family, so only eaten cooked.
Tomato - Yellow Pear Solanum lycopersicum Noted by Whitman, Spalding. A fruit, but eaten as a cooked vegetable. Native to South America and Mesoamerica. In the Nightshade family, so only eaten cooked.
Tomato - Yellow Perfection Solanum lycopersicum Noted by Whitman, Spalding. A fruit, but eaten as a cooked vegetable. Native to South America and Mesoamerica. In the Nightshade family, so only eaten cooked.
Turnip - Gold Ball Brassica rapa ssp. Rapa Gordon & Forsythe seed orders Probably first domesticated in Northern Europe.
Turnip - Norfolk Green Brassica rapa ssp. Rapa Gordon & Forsythe seed orders Probably first domesticated in Northern Europe.
Turnip - Orange Jelly Brassica rapa ssp. Rapa Gordon & Forsythe seed orders Probably first domesticated in Northern Europe.
Turnip - Snowball Brassica rapa ssp. Rapa Gordon & Forsythe seed orders Probably first domesticated in Northern Europe.
Common Name Latin Name Source
Aster Aster Archaeological pollen
Bachelor Button Centaurea cyanus Archaeological pollen
California Poppy Eschscholzia californica Memoirs of James Robert Anderson. Grown at Fort Victoria.
Candytuft Iberis Memoirs of James Robert Anderson. Grown at Fort Victoria.
Crocus Crocus sativus Archaeological pollen
Dahlia coccinea, rosea, pinnata Primary sources, archaeological pollen
Daphne - odorata, mezereon, cneorum, genkwa odorata, mezereon, cneorum, genkwa Archaeological pollen
Dianthus Dianthus caryophyllus Archaeological pollen
Hollyhock Alcea Memoirs of James Robert Anderson. Grown at Fort Victoria.
Mallow Malva Memoirs of James Robert Anderson. Grown at Fort Victoria.
Marigold Tagetes Memoirs of James Robert Anderson. Grown at Fort Victoria.
Mignonette Reseda Memoirs of James Robert Anderson. Grown at Fort Victoria. Hussey, 1:36.
Pinks Dianthus Grown at Fort Victoria
Rose Rosa Shepherd, Douglas, archaeological pollen
Shamrocks Trifolium dubium Helmcken 1975:133. Grown at Fort Victoria.
Single Daisies Bellis perennis Helmcken 1975:133. Grown at Fort Victoria.
Stocks Matthiola Memoirs of James Robert Anderson. Grown at Fort Victoria.
Sweet William Dianthus barbatus Memoirs of James Robert Anderson. Grown at Fort Victoria.
Viola Viola L. Archaeological pollen
Wallflower Erysimum Memoirs of James Robert Anderson. Grown at Fort Victoria.
White Daisies Bellis perennis Helmcken 1975:133. Grown at Fort Victoria.
Yarrow Achillea millefolium Archaeological pollen
Zinnea Zinnea elegans Archaeological pollen
Campion Lychnis alba Archaeological pollen
Tidy Tips, Daisy Layia glandulosa Archaeological pollen
Common Name Latin Name Source
Barberry - Darwinii or vulgaris Berberis Archaeological pollen. Vulgaris is not planted at Fort Vancouver NHS because it is a WSDA Class B Noxious Weed.
Borage Borago officinalis Archaeological pollen
Caraway Carum carvi Appropriate for the time period, but we do not yet have direct evidence for their presence at Fort Vancouver
Chamomile Matricaria chamomilla Archaeological pollen
Chickweed Stellaria media Archaeological pollen
Chives Allium schoenoprasum From Gordon & Forsythe to York Factory
Cress Lepidum sativum From Gordon & Forsythe to York Factory
Flax Linum usitatissimum From Gordon & Forsythe to Fort Vancouver
Goldenrod Solidago Archaeological pollen
Hemp Cannabis sativa ssp. sativa From Gordon & Forsythe to Fort Vancouver
Hops Humulus lupulus Fort Vancouver primary sources
Horehound Marrubium vulgare Archaeological pollen
Lemonbalm Melissa officinalis George Roberts home
Marjoram Origanum marjorana From Gordon & Forsythe to York Factory
Mint Mentha From Gordon & Forsythe to York Factory
Mustard Brassica From Gordon & Forsythe to York Factory
Parsley - Flat Italian Petroselinum crispum Gordon & Forsythe seed orders
Parsley - Moss Curled Petroselinum crispum Gordon & Forsythe seed orders
Portulaca Portulaca grandiflora Archaeological pollen
Ragwort Jacobaea vulgaris Archaeological pollen
Sage Salvia officinalis From Gordon & Forsythe to York Factory
Summer Savory Satureja hortensis From Gordon & Forsythe to York Factory
Tansy Tanacetum vulgare Archaeological pollen. Not planted at Fort Vancouver NHS because it is a WSDA Class B Noxious Weed.
Thyme Thymus vulgaris From Gordon & Forsythe to York Factory
Tobacco - Aztec Nicotiana rustica Tobacco was used in fur bales as a pesticide. Bonneville noted in a letter that the HBC was growing tobacco at Fort Vancouver.
Tobacco - Common Nicotiana tabacum Tobacco was used in fur bales as a pesticide. Bonneville noted in a letter that the HBC was growing tobacco at Fort Vancouver.
Tobacco - Woodland, Argentinean Nicotiana sylvestris Tobacco was used in fur bales as a pesticide. Bonneville noted in a letter that the HBC was growing tobacco at Fort Vancouver.
Wormwood Artemesia absinthium George Roberts home. Not planted at Fort Vancouver NHS because it is a WSDA Class B Noxious Weed.
Common Name Latin Name Source
Blueberry - Low Bush Vaccinium angustifolium Archaeological pollen
Blueberry - Blue Ridge, Early Low Bush Vaccinium pallidum Archaeological pollen
Blueberry - Bilberry, Canadian Vaccinium myrtillus Archaeological pollen
Gooseberry - (common) Houghton Ribes uva-crispa Pickering
Pomegranate Punica nana Noted by Whitman, Spalding
Fig Ficus carica Fort Vancouver primary sources, archaeological pollen
Quince Cydonia oblonga Noted by Whitman, Spalding
Currant - Red Ribes Fort Langley Journals
Currant - White Ribes Fort Langley Journals
Citrus Citrus Noted by Whitman, Shepherd. A member of the Willamette Mission stated that "contrary to statements made by others, citrus is not being grown at Fort Vancouver." This is a topic that national park staff are currently researching.
Pumpkin - New England Sugar Pie Cucurbita pepo Noted by Townsend, Lee, Shepherd
Pumpkin - Rouge vif d'etampe Cucurbita pepo Noted by Townsend, Lee, Shepherd
Pumpkin - Worchester Cucurbita pepo Noted by Townsend, Lee, Shepherd
Watermelon - Black Seeded Ice Cream Citrullus lanatus Noted by Townsend, Lee, Shepherd
Watermelon - Citron Citrullus colocynthis Noted by Townsend, Lee, Shepherd
Anderson, James Robert. Notes and Comments on Early Days and Events in British Columbia, Washington and Oregon, Including an Account of Sundry Happenigs in San Francisco; Being the Memoirs of James Robert Anderson. Ms 152, Public Archives of British Columbia.

Erigo, Patricia C. and Theresa Taylor. Cultural Landscape Report, Vol. I, Appendix D. Seattle, WA. National Park Service, Department of the Interior, Cultural Resources Division, Pacific Northwest Region, Denver Service Center. Manuscript on file at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. 1992.

Helmcken, John. The Reminiscences of Dr. John Sebastian Helmcken. Dorothy Blakey Smith, editor. University of British Columbia Press, Vancouver. 1975.

Hudson's Bay Company. The Journal of Occurrences at Fort Nisqually: commencing May 30, 1833; ending September 27, 1859. Manuscript on file at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site.

Hussey, John. The Fort Vancouver Farm. Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Manuscript on file at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site

Jacobucci, Susan. An Analysis of Pollen from Fort Vancouver Washington. Report prepared for Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, Department of Interior, National Park Service. Manuscript on file at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. 2007.

Lyman, H.S. "Louis Labonte's Recollections of Men." The Quarterly of the Oregon Historical Society, Vol. IV:265. 1903.

Maclachlan, Morag and Wayne Suttles. Fort Langley Journals. Vancouver, BC, Canada. UBC Press. 1998.

Whitman, Narcissa. My Journal, 1836. Fairfield, WA: Ye Galleon Press. 1982.

Last updated: April 6, 2021