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MOREA: A Living Botanical Classroom Albemarle Garden Club
On the grounds of the University of Virginia, Morea is a botanical garden that represents almost two centuries of horticulture and conservation. In 1834, Professor John Emmet, a professor of botany and close friend of Thomas Jefferson’s, created Morea’s garden for the use of professors and students.
Since1962 - for forty-four years, four decades- the Albemarle Garden Club has worked to protect the garden, and to encourage its appreciation. Meade Palmer, the well known 20th century landscape architect and professor, referred to Morea’s botanical garden as his “living classroom.” In recent years, with assistance from Landscape Architecture students at the University, the garden club developed a partial garden plan and added an interpretive sign. Over 85 varieties of plants, some original to Professor Emmet’s time, have been catalogued, including the famous Kentucky Coffee Tree. It is said that Morea trees, notably the Osage Oranges, originate from seeds brought back from the Lewis and Clark expedition. Our planting replaces original or early plantings where possible and introduces new plants to show what grows well in our area. This award would enable us to restore the northeast border creating a screen that would require the planting of 20-30 trees and shrubs with an emphasis on red berries. One or two benches for visitors and faculty would be added. |