The plant collection at Tudor Place is the result of six generations of family members and staff bringing enhanced color, texture and fragrance to the gardens between 1805 and 1983. For many years, the property was traditionally not occupied in the summer, which resulted in plant choices that heavily favored spring, fall and winter interest.

Since opening to the public as a museum in 1988, efforts have been made to include plants that shine in the summer, in addition to preserving the excellent collection of specimen trees and old-fashioned herbaceous and woody varieties. Preservation efforts now include restoring native vegetation that would have originally grown on site.