Burpee releases commemorative seed collection to celebrate America's 250th anniversary

Burpee is introducing new commemorative seed collections that celebrate America’s 250th birthday and the company's 150th anniversary with the America’s 250th Anniversary Seed Collections and the Historic Breakthroughs Seed Collection.

“One of the most patriotic things you can do is plant a garden,” said George Ball, chair of Burpee. “Our America’s 250th Anniversary Seed Collections feature four limited-edition seed sets that invite gardeners to do just that: plant a living piece of history inspired by the people, places and principles that shaped the country.”

To ensure authenticity for each commemorative seed collection, Burpee collaborated with Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, George Washington’s Mount Vernon, the Museum of the American Revolution and the American Horticultural Society, with each contributing expertise, research and inspiration. Together with these museum and horticultural partners, Burpee curated select heritage varieties, true to their origins, ensuring that each collection tells a story in America’s 250th year.

“These collaborations were essential,” Ball said. “They ensured that every variety reflects the quality and reliability gardeners expect from Burpee and the authenticity of our shared history. Each partner helped us honor America’s gardening heritage while celebrating the creativity and independence that define our country and our company.”

The collection includes (descriptions by Burpee): 

The Colonial Dooryard Herb Garden: In colonial days, it was said that a “house without a garden … was incomplete,” and this collection of colonial-era herbs pays homage to that essential belief. Colonial dooryard gardens were small, practical kitchen gardens that provided easy access to herbs, vegetables and flowers for cooking medicine, and dyes. The collection includes eight seed packets for growing herbs reminiscent of those days: chamomile, chives, dill, fennel, hyssop, nasturtium, parsley and lemon balm (one of the first herbs brought to America).

Martha Washington’s Kitchen Garden: America’s first First Lady, Martha Washington was a formidable force, whether accompanying General George Washington on the battlefield or managing domestic and social business at their Mount Vernon estate in Northern Virginia. An enthusiastic gardener and recipe collector, she oversaw a kitchen garden that produced food year-round. The contains eight packets of 18th-century heritage seeds grown at Mount Vernon including carrot, cucumber, kale, lettuce, bunching onion, hot pepper, radish and watermelon.

Thomas Jefferson’s Revolutionary Garden: Founding Father, author of the Declaration of Independence and America’s third president, Thomas Jefferson was also an expert horticulturist, believing that “cultivators of the earth are the most valuable citizens.” He was one of the first in the nation to use scientific methods for testing and evaluating varieties of fruits and vegetables from around the world to determine what was best suited for growing in American soil. The collection contains eight packets of heritage seeds grown at Jefferson’s Monticello estate and includes cucumber, lettuce, nasturtium, onion, hot pepper, sweet pepper, pole bean and tomato.

The Declaration Bouquet Collection: To celebrate the Declaration of Independence and the history of the American Revolution, Burpee curated a collection of five new flowers, dedicating each one to an American ideal. This five-pack set features “Liberty” cosmos, “Happiness” morning glory, “Independence” gaillardia, “Freedom” verbena and “Star-Spangled” marigold.

AHS collaborated with Burpee on the Colonial Dooryard Herb Garden seed collection, inspired by the historic gardens at River Farm, a 25-acre property that was once part of George Washington's original farmland and is now the headquarters of the AHS.

“Horticulture has always rooted us in family, community and the rich history that defines our nation. With the America’s 250th Anniversary Seed Collection, we invite gardeners to bring history to life in their own communities,” said AHS President and CEO Suzanne Laporte. “We are excited to partner with Burpee in celebrating America’s 250th anniversary."

“We are happy to collaborate with AHS and renowned herb expert Holly Shimizu to create the Colonial Dooryard Herb Garden,” Ball added. “Since the dawn of human creation, herbs have flavored our food. Our lives would be dull without their tasty oils. In turn, over many millennia, people worldwide have extended and deepened herbs’ genetic potential and complexity. It’s a fascinating biological relationship. Enjoy herb gardening and benefit from nature’s most myriad, curious and stimulating flavors.”

Each commemorative seed packet features vintage-inspired artwork, historical notes and easy planting instructions.

Burpee’s America 250th Anniversary Collection is available while supplies last as of Dec. 1, 2025, at  burpee.com/happy-250th-birthday-america. 

Burpee’s Historic Breakthroughs Seed Collection

Burpee also released Burpee’s Historic Breakthroughs Seed Collection as an homage to the company’s founder, W. Atlee Burpee.

A medical student turned horticulturalist, Burpee visited the Centennial Exhibition in 1876 in his hometown of Philadelphia. It was the first world’s fair mounted in an American city, and its agriculture and horticulture halls inspired the 18-year-old Burpee to launch his own mail-order livestock and poultry company. Before long, Burpee’s attention and his business turned to seeds. 

“Burpee is a company rooted in innovation and invention. It’s a true made-in-America story,” said Ball, who purchased the business from W. Atlee’s son David in 1991. “In honor of a young man’s ingenuity 150 years ago, we’ve brought together a collection of our most famous ‘firsts’ for our Historic Breakthroughs Seed Collection.”

The collection, available as of Dec. 1 on burpee.com, is detailed below, including its year of introduction:

• 1893, “Burpee’s Stringless Green Pod” Bush Bean: The first stringless green bean. Early, robust yields with 6-inch curved pods on self-supporting plants.
• 1894, “Iceberg A” Lettuce: A crisphead lettuce with firm heads.
• 1902, “Golden Bantam” Sweet Corn: The first yellow sweet corn introduced by Burpee. Seeds 5-foot stalks that often bear two ears apiece.
• 1902, “Black Beauty” Eggplant: A Burpee heirloom.
• 1924, “Fordhook Giant” Swiss Chard: A Burpee heirloom that bears tender leaves with earthy flavor and heavy yields from late spring to winter.
• 1949, “Big Boy” Tomato: This post-war variety yields 1-pound fruits on vigorous, indeterminate vines.
• 1961, “Burpeeana Giants Mixed Colors” Zinnia: This Burpee-bred heirloom showcases quilled petals on 6-inch blooms atop 2-foot plants. Grow in full sun.
• 1978, “Snowbird” Sugar Snap Pea: Compact 18-inch plants producing 3-inch pods in pairs or trios.
• 1998, “Fourth of July” Tomato: Produces 4-ounce fruits on indeterminate plants with vine-ripened tomatoes ready to pick by July 4.