wordpress, Author at Cheekwood - Page 38 of 45

test

June Featured Plants

Posted on June 2, 2018 by wordpress

Weaver Walk Garden
Sweetbay Magnolia / Magnolia virginiana ‘Green Shadow’

‘Green Shadow’ is a conical-oval shaped evergreen magnolia, selected by Don Shadow. It can withstand below freezing temps, though it thrives in warmer climates. The bloom period is long; it’s been known to flower abundantly for more than 4 months with creamy white blooms that emit a lemony fragrance. The sweetbay’s fruit is apricot in color and of definite fall interest. Its foliage features glossy topsides and silvery undersides. This species not only prefers, but absolutely requires acidic soil. Also known as swamp magnolia, this Magnolia thrives in wet soil and warm climates. Gracefully reaching up to 35 feet tall, ‘Green Shadow’ makes a handsome specimen tree.Wills Garden
Spigelia marilandica / Indian Pink or Pink Root

Spigelia has upward facing, red trumpet-shaped flowers with yellow throats. Native to the southeastern U.S., it is one of the most beautiful star-shaped wildflowers found in our Tennessee forests. To happen upon this stunning flower is an incredible treat, however, they are most impressive when given more sunlight than the deeply canopied woodland they are commonly found. The tubular red flowers are a beacon for all the resident hummingbird and deadheading will encourage a rebloom. Spigelia can cause serious danger when used inappropriately (by ingestion, all parts are toxic), but it is an effective medicinal for treating tapeworm and roundworm when administered with the utmost care.Howe Garden
Phlox / Phlox ‘Minnie Pearl’

‘Minnie Pearl’ appears to be a naturally occurring selection of P. carolina. It was first discovered along a roadside in Kemper, Mississippi by plantswoman, Karen Partlow. With creamy white flowers, it begins blooming early in April, but it is an incredible repeat bloomer and can provide flower interest throughout the summer months. ‘Minnie Pearl’ also exhibits a strong resistance to powdery mildew, which is a common problem within this genus. Reaching a maximum height of 2 feet tall, this selection is a wonderful native and hummingbird favorite.Burr Terrace Garden
Japanese Spikenard/ Aralia cordata ‘Sun King’

A thorn-less species, and a somewhat friendlier alternative to A. spinosa, you can find this Aralia’s edible young shoots and leaves underneath the name “udo” on a Japanese food menu. The foliage color of ‘Sun King’ is a bright chartreuse, perfect for adding light and color contrast to shaded garden designs. Flowers are white umbels arranged in panicle-full “spikes” that bloom from July to fall and are a favorite among pollinators. Dark purple berries popular among bird form after flowering. ‘Sun king’ is relatively deer tolerant and naturalizes easily while still behaving itself.Historic Martin Boxwood GardensMaidenhair tree/ Ginkgo bilobaA lot of people would say that the ginkgo tree is the winner of the fall color category. During other seasons of the year, just the unique leaf alone is stunning, shaped like a lady’s fan. Although a magnificent city park tree, it is perhaps not the best selection for a street with it’s potential height of 80’ and width of 40’. Typically, ginkgo presents no disease or pests issues. It’s heat tolerant and adaptable to many soil types. Its native habitat is China, however, being one of the oldest trees still in existence today (at least 150 million years), it was also native to North America at one time.

Photography by Andrew Bruckse Photography.
Carell Dogwood Garden: Dogwood Garden (west side)Plantain Lily / Hosta ‘Sum and Substance’

Multi-year American Hosta Society award winner, ‘Sum and Substance’ is a diva among its kind with expansive heart-shaped leaves and growing up to 5 feet in diameter! Planting this dense-leaved cultivar can be one way to keep the weeds at bay…if you spray enough deer repellant, which many gardeners willingly do. Besides having a lovely shape, the leaves are also glossy, and thick textured. ‘Sum and Substance’ does surprisingly well when exposed to more sun, developing a rich golden leaf tone. The bloom is slightly fragrant and lavender in color.Shōmu-en
Japanese GardenJapanese stewartia/ Stewartia pseudocamelliaJapanese Stewartia is a picturesque, small statured tree with an oval-pyramidal shape and remarkable multi-seasonal interest and member of the tea family. Small, white, cupped, camellia-like flowers appear in June and persist until July. In the fall, brilliant, truly outstanding fiery orange tonesemanate from the leaves. The branching pattern is delicately horizonal. The bark is exfoliating, and as the tree matures, becomes muscled, standing out in the bare-ness off winter. This Stewartia is most fitting as a specimen tree, reaching a height of 20-40’ in the landscape.Bradford Robertson Color Garden ArchesBetty Corning Clematis/ Clematis ‘Betty Corning’

The showy and fragrant blooms displayed on ‘Betty Corning’ are lilac-colored, beginning as petite cups with recurved tips before maturing and opening to show a full flower. Clematis originates from the Greek work klematis, which means “climbing plant”. It is a popular mailbox flower, adorning letter receptacles throughout the U.S., but it is also known to let loose as a groundcover and to become good friends with shrubs like Hydrangea, Fothergilla and even holly by climbing upon their branches. ‘Betty Corning’ originated in Albany, NY and is a cross between C. crispa and C. viticella. She is guaranteed to flower from May to fall in more temperate climates. Her flowers are slightly fragrant and she can grow to be 6 feet tall.
Herb Study Garden: Fragrance and Texture BedChihuly Floribunda Rose/ Rosa ‘Wekscemala’ Chihuly™

The Chihuly Rose was bred by Tom Carruth of Weeks Roses and named in honor of Dale Chihuly, the artist best known for his work with large-scale glass sculptures. When properly maintained- pruned in late February, fertilized and deadheaded regularly- this floribunda rose will bloom from May until frost. It is a true showstopper, like a sunset on a stem, with fabulous deep apricot and yellow coloration, often streaked with lighter yellow ones. Both bees and butterflies are fans.Turner Seasons Garden, Summer Section, located by the TRAINS!
Sweetshrub, Carolina Allspice/ Calycanthus hybrid ‘Aphrodite’

This gorgeous native with large red blooms, which start off maroon and brighten in color as they open (great for arrangements as they are long-lasting), is a hybrid between C. chinensis and C. occidentalis. Sweetshrub responds best in both flower power and stature when grown in full sun, even though her natural habitat is deep within the forest canopy. Calycanthus is found in the wild from Virginia down to Florida. Plant in either sun or shade near an entranceway to maximize your exposure to its fragrance, a spicy apple. Even the bark of sweetshrub is scented and was once used as a substitute for cinnamon. This shrub is also DEER RESISTANT and tolerant of a wide range of soils.June is Perennial Gardening Month, and we’re celebrating all the beautiful blooms in our gardens as we settle into summertime at Cheekwood.

Our garden team has selected their top plant picks in the gardens this month. Use this as your guide as you tour the gardens, and be sure to keep an eye out for the labels in the flower beds to identify them, learn about them, and find inspiration for your own garden.

test

This Place Matters

Posted on May 12, 2018 by wordpress

As Cheekwood is a historic site with a significant building and outdoor sculptural and architectural elements, preservation is front and center of our activities.

This historic preservation update provided by Gina Wouters, Vice President of Museum Affairs/Chief Curator at CheekwoodLast year, Cheekwood completed the first phase of historic restoration inside the Cheekwood Mansion. The second phase of this preservation initiative is now underway. Earlier this year, we unveiled the restored Recreation Room, a favorite space of the Cheek family and never before open to the public. Curatorial and collections staff are also working on the restoration of the Morning Room, Leslie Cheek Jr.’s Study, and the Butler’s Pantry. Historic preservation projects can be monumental such as those noted above. They have a start and a finish and involve big, highly-noticeable changes. However, many historic preservation projects are more subtle and continue on a daily basis. Curatorial and collections staff are constantly caring for the collection, including cleaning the decorated rooms, monitoring environmental conditions in display spaces and storage spaces, and observing the general conditions of the collection as a whole.We are particularly excited to about the official opening of several historic horse stables and the tack room at the Frist Learning Center later this summer. In past decades, the six-room stable block was used for video display and contemporary art shows, which meant that dry wall was installed to create a uniform white space. As we embarked on the construction phase, facilities staff excavated the dry wall and revealed intact wainscoting and windows on the back wall. This was a thrilling discovery which allowed us to further preserve and interpret the space, honoring the authentic remnants from the 1930s. Through these recently restored spaces, visitors will gain new understanding about equestrian life at Cheekwood and how central it was to the estate’s formation.May is Preservation Month, and we are ready to celebrate! This Place Matters is a national campaign led by the National Trust for Historic Preservation that encourages people to celebrate the places that are meaningful to them and to their communities, and Preservation Month is the perfect time to share it with the world.

test

May Featured Plants

Posted on May 2, 2018 by wordpress

Burr Terrace Garden (North Raised Armillary Bed)
Iris pallida ‘Variegata’ | Variegated Sweet Iris (pictured, right)

Native to Northern Italy, this sweet iris can be found in the northern raised armillary bed of the Burr Garden. (Fun Fact: The Burr Garden is reminiscent of the oldest living botanical garden in the world, Orto Botanico di Padova, in Padua, Italy). “Iris”, the Greek word for Rainbow Goddess, aptly names this plant genus which comes in a myriad of hues. Iris pallida has lavender blooms detailed with yellow beards. Gray-green strap leaves are outlined in creamy yellow stripes. Sweet iris is not fond of wet feet like other irises. Plant in well-drained soils in full sun to part shade for best performance.

Photos courtesy of Andrew Bruckse Photography.Carrell Dogwood Garden
Flowering Dogwood | Cornus florida (pictured, right)

Of Cheekwood’s prominent Dogwood Collection, 23 cultivated varieties of C. florida have been selected to represent an emphasis on superior blooms, foliage, growth habit, vigor, and hardiness, as well as disease and insect resistance. Buds are uniquely shaped, like little turbans, persisting from late winter to early spring. Most are blooming now and will last until the second part of May. It’s the white bracts of the inflorescence and not the actual flower that we are so drawn to. The flower structures are held inside the showy, white modified leaves and are unassuming. The low-branched tree habit with its attractive, horizontally arranged branches, creates a beautiful layering affect, and when in bloom, the landscape looks delicately speckled with flowers. Dogwood has excellent fall color of red and purple, adding depth to our Tennessee hills in late October. Bright red berries in winter provide food for the resident wildlife. Group plantings in part shade for the most impactful display.Herb Study Garden
Coral Honeysuckle or Trumpet Honeysuckle | Lonicera sempervirens (pictured, right)

One of Tennessee’s most colorful native vines, coral honeysuckle typically reaches 10-15′ in height. Clusters of trumpet-shaped flowers emerge from new bluish green, disc-shaped leaves (imagine tiny lily pads) in late spring. Bloom color ranges from brilliant shades of reds to yellows which are extremely attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies and bees. Ornamental red berries beloved by a variety of birds, form in late summer to early fall. L. sempervirens is great for softening up a wall (when supported by a trellis) or fence. Aphids can be a potential pest but are easily controlled. Perhaps one of the best attributes of coral honeysuckle? It’s resistance to our resident deer.

Bradford Robertson Color Garden
Chinese Fringe Tree | Chionanthus retususNot to be confused with C. virginicus, our native Fringe tree, C. retusus is native to Eastern Asia. Naturally a shrub, Chinese fringe tree, can be trained to grow as a small tree. The leaves are a leathery texture, smaller than those of our native. A profusion of snow white, fragrant tassels is occurring now at Cheekwood’s Color Garden and will persist for a few more weeks. Being tolerant of air pollution with a rounded form and ultimate height of 10-20’, Chinese fringe tree makes a great street or parking lot tree. In addition, with its highly ornamental value (fruits, flowers, foliage, and exfoliating gray bark), it also looks outstanding when planted in mass or as a single specimen. Chinese fringe tree will even perform well near ponds and lower elevations where moisture levels are higher. Leaves are frost resistant, so gardeners need not to worry about a late frost with this one. In fall, if fertile, female specimens will produce small dark blue fruits that attract birds and other wildlife.Howe Garden
Cinnamon Fern | Osmunda cinnamomea (pictured, right)

This native bronzed woodland fern is both reliable and easy to grow. At Cheekwood, we love how it perfectly illustrates our eastern woodlands, spicing up the Howe garden. Though cinnamon fern is heat tolerant, for the very best results, grow in shade with plenty of moisture. The brown, stiff fronds are spore bearing and initially appear in early spring before quickly turning color. The wiry root mass makes an incredibly dense fiber used as a substrate for propagating and growing orchids.

Martin Boxwood Gardens
Solomon’s Seal | Polygonatun odoratum ‘Variegatum’ (pictured, right)

The graceful arching maroon stems of Polygonatum odoratum ‘Variegatum’ present showy and fresh light green leaves edged in white. The ornamental foliage paired with the pendant-like tubular white flowers drooping from the leaf axils, make this plant one of the most sophisticated of perennials. Solomon’s Seal is the ideal addition to a woodland scene or for a more formal setting, like our Martin Boxwood Gardens.Weaver Walk

False Indigo| Baptisia Decadence® ‘Dutch Chocolate’ (pictured, right)

A native to the Eastern United States, Baptisia was once used for dying fibers by early American settlers, hence the common name “False Indigo”. Now, it is highly valued for its lupine-like blooms, which come in a wide variety of colors, and ease of growing, low maintenance, and its resistance to deer. ‘Dutch Chocolate’ is an exceptional and unique selection with its richly colored purple-brown flowers. To watch false indigo’s stems emerge (they look like asparagus!) from the ground in early spring brings a source of intense delight to the gardeners of Cheekwood. Visitors can find this cultivar along the new Weaver Walk near the Robinson Family Water Garden. False indigo is most effective when planting in a naturalized setting in groupings or as a specimen plant. Give it plenty of full sun and well drained soil to root in, stand back, and admire.Spring has officially sprung in Nashville, and we can’t think of a better time to get outside and enjoy the warmer weather and sunny days that have finally arrived. May is also a beautiful month in the gardens, with blooming dogwoods, fragrant honeysuckle and lush greenery.

As you enjoy the best of the late spring weather at Cheekwood, keep an eye out for our garden team’s top picks for plants to see in the gardens this month. You can find these with the plant indicator labels throughout the grounds.

test

Frist Learning Center Renovation

Posted on April 24, 2018 by wordpress

The art and clay studios will experience a renovation as well, offering enhanced facilities year-round to our youngest visitors, summer campers, and guests of all ages. The renovation will offer expanded restroom facilities as well as a new meeting room created from back-of-house spaces, and a new garden gift shop will complement the building’s offerings.

Finally, the former garage—which has been used as a gallery in recent decades—will open later this summer as the Cheekwood Café, serving light fare such as soups, salads, and sandwiches, including picnic lunches. This space will also feature the story of Maxwell House coffee, the family company that the Cheeks invested in and profited from, which allowed for Cheekwood to be built. The new Cheekwood Café will offer an improved connection to the Mansion for our visitors’ ease and will be a wonderful asset to the future Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden. We will be breaking ground on this new special destination in early June, and it is expected to open in Summer 2019.

The Frist Learning Center’s exciting renovation and accompanying enhancements are made possible by a very generous $4 million gift from The Frist Foundation to The Cheekwood Campaign, our first major fundraising initiative in nearly 20 years. While the heart of the campaign is focused on building endowment and capital reserves and restoring expansive property, these accompanying initiatives are bringing Cheekwood to a new level. With over $22 million pledged toward our $30 million goal, we are in the home stretch, but we still have a long way to go! If you are interested in learning more, please email campaign@cheekwood.local.Renovation of The Frist Learning Center began before the holiday season, and it has been a fascinating journey in progress. The former Cheek family stables and garage, as well as the Great Hall, will benefit from copper gutters and downspouts, windows, tile, paint, and repairs, but it will also see a renaissance of these historic buildings.

Following the historic restoration of the Mansion that debuted last year, the former stables are being brought back to life as we restore the original horse stalls and tack room and create a new equestrian interpretation area highlighting the building’s previous use. After removing the modern drywall within the stalls, the intact and original wainscoting, period hardware and windows were discovered. These daily discoveries are the very definition of peeling away the past.

test

Tennessee Dogwood Day

Posted on April 17, 2018 by wordpress

The dogwood genus, Cornus, contains around 40 species and many cultivars of deciduous trees and shrubs, mainly of north temperate climates. Dogwoods are grown for their showy flowers, colorful bark, and their architectural, nearly horizontal branching pattern. The flowers are actually very small and are surrounded by larger bracts that range in color from white to dark pink (bracts are similar in appearance to petals, but they are modified leaves).

This year, Governor Bill Haslam proclaimed April 21, 2018 as Tennessee Dogwood Day. This new proclamation is designed to recognize dogwoods across our state, as the trees begin to take full bloom, signifying springtime in the South. On Saturday, April 21, we will host our annual Dogs and Dogwoods event, a dog-friendly day in the gardens designed to celebrate Tennessee Dogwood Day and our significant dogwood collection, one that is unique of its kind.

The Carell Dogwood Garden at Cheekwood is the centerpiece of our Nationally Certified Cornus Collection. It is also the very first collection of its kind to be recognized by the Plant Collections Network, a collaborative effort between the American Public Gardens Association and the USDA-Agricultural Research Service. What began as just a few specimens donated to us in 1982 by Mr. and Mrs. Monroe Carell Jr. has expanded into a trail located between the Daffodil and Burr Gardens, complemented with other woodland vegetation common to Middle Tennessee.

Plant collections relate to a garden’s mission. Cheekwood aims to be a primary source for horticultural display, education, research, conservation, and enjoyment. Dogwoods are well suited for Cheekwood because not only are they undeniably beautiful but also, Tennessee native Cornus florida provides visitors with a sense of place. Currently, we display 343 specimens of Cornus. Cheekwood’s 23 cultivated varieties of Cornus florida have been selected to represent an emphasis on varieties exhibiting superior blooms, foliage, growth habit, vigor, hardiness, as well as disease and insect resistance.

Other than the picturesque flowering dogwood, Cheekwood is also the proud home of several Cornus officinalis (Japanese Cornel Dogwood), which blooms in February, and the evergreen Chinese dogwood (Cornus angustata), which blooms in early June. Growing along the shaded trail beneath the dogwood canopy, visitors will also see spring bulbs, hostas, hydrangeas, trilliums, ferns, gingers, and heucheras.

test

2018 Spring Member Appreciation Day

Posted on April 10, 2018 by wordpress

Join Cheekwood today and experience the unparalleled beauty of Nashville’s landmark country estate.

Join, Renew or Give the Gift of Membership

“It is so tranquil at Cheekwood. I can just take a minute to feel peaceful. I am also so excited about your dog days!”

-Lisa Patton Southard and friend, Becky Barkley

Lisa visited Cheekwood to celebrate her 60th birthday with her friend, Becky.

“I travel a lot, so I love that my membership includes other botanical gardens that I can go to when I am not in Nashville.”

-Tiffany

Tiffany is a professional photographer.

“I love having the ability to bring visitors. I am a Magnolia Society member.”

-Denise Roy with guest

Denise has been a member for six years, and is a part-time resident of Nashville.On Monday, April 9, we hosted Member Appreciation Day. Twice a year, we open the grounds especially for a day of celebration of our members. We offer mansion and garden tours, live music, refreshments and special programming all day long.

Cheekwood members have the benefit of unlimited access to the grounds, free parking, sneak peek previews of festivals and exhibitions, priority access to special event tickets and reciprocal admission to nearly 200 botanical gardens, arboreta and conservatories nationwide, and over 60 museums in the Southeast.

What else is there to love about being a Cheekwood member? We asked a few people what they enjoyed most about their memberships.

test

April Featured Plants

Posted on April 1, 2018 by wordpress

Carrell Dogwood Garden (Hydrangea Trail) and Woodland Sculpture Trail
Wakerobin, Toadshade (pictured, right)
Trillium spp. (T.
recurvatum
, T.
cuneatum
, T. grandiflorum, T.
lancifolium
, T. sessile, T. luteum, T. discolor, T.
foetidissimum
, , T.
underwoodii
, T.
ludovicianum
)
Cheekwood is home to 3 major Native Plant Collections: Tenneessee Native, Southeastern US Native, and Trillium, one of these most adored American wildflowers. East Asia and Eastern North America (concentrating in Southern Appalachia) are both (and the only!) native homes to Trillium. Of about 45 existing species, 10 of those inhabit Cheekwood and 7 of our trilliums are TN natives. These plants are grouped into two different groups based on the presence or lack of flower stalk: Wakerobins and Toadshades. Wakerobins exhibit solid green leaves while Toadshades have mottled foliage. Both possess whorls of 3 leaves. Flower size and color vary, as does the hardniness zone, among species.

Bradford Robertson Color Garden
Flowering Quince
Chaenomeles

speciosa
‘Toyo-Nishiki’
Loaded with showy pink, red & white blooms all on the very same plant, it’s hard not to love this quince. ‘Toyo-Nishiki’ has incredible cold hardiness, drought tolerance, and more fire blight resistance than other varieties. This cultivar makes a fantastic hedge or barrier, reaching 6–10 feet high. Although shade tolerant, more sun equals more flowers for this plant. The fruit can be used to make jams or left on the plant to feed the birds. Flowering Quince is hardy in zones 4-8.

Photos by Andrew Bruckse | Cheekwood Grounds Supervisor
Andrew Bruckse Photography
Will’s Garden
Canadian Columbine (pictured, right)
Aquilegia canadensis ‘Little Lanterns’
On the Cheekwood grounds, one can find many cultivars of columbine blooming in mid-spring. One of these is a dwarf species, reaching a max height of 10-12”, called ‘Little Lanterns’. This derivative of the species canadensis possesses red bell-shaped flowers with slightly curved, short spurs, yellow cups and even brighter yellow stamens. Blooming for about for 6 weeks total (a bit longer if consistently deadheaded), ‘Little Lanterns shows less susceptibility to leaf miner damage than other species. Columbine makes the most impact when planted in groups and hummingbirds are attracted to the inviting, red cup-shaped blooms. A wide range of soil conditions will work for this plant, however it will perform best in evenly moist, well-drained substrates. Gardeners in southern climates will want to plant columbine in part shade. It is hardy in zones 3-8.

Turner Season’s Garden (Spring Room)
Saucer Magnolia
Magnolia
Xsoulangeana ‘Alexandrina’
The saucer magnolia is widely thought to be the most planted of the deciduous types and perhaps the most recognizable of the spring flowering magnolias. Created in France in the 1820’s at Solange-Bodin Garden,
Xsoulangena possesses smooth gray bark, rounded growth habit, and a potential height of up to 30 feet tall. ‘Alexandrina’ has light rose-purple outer tepals (“tepal” is the term used when the sepal, part of the perianth, is indistinguishable from the petal) and is one of the larger, earlier-flowering varieties. An excellent specimen plant, large cup-shaped flowers appear on bare stems in late March and early April. It performs most reliably in zones 5-9.Robinson Water Garden
White Ash (pictured, right)
Fraxinus

americana
One of Cheekwood’s many handsome and native Fraxinus, this white ash is growing in the Robinson Family Water Garden near pond the first pond. Easily transplanted, it does best in moist, well-drained soils. Its flowers emerge in late March to early Spring. White Ash usually grows anywhere between 50-80′ tall, but it has been reported as tall as 124′! Because of its potentially giant size, this species is not recommended for homeowner use. It is, however, a suitable tree for parks and larger estates. We would be remiss not to mention the threat of the emerald ash borer and the importance of its surveillance. Many wonderful resources abound on the subject, including The Emerald Ash Borer Information Network (http://www.emeraldashborer.info/about-eab.php). White Ash is hardy in zones 4-9.Burr Terrace Garden (Raised Armillary Bed)
Knotweed (pictured, right)
Persicaria

microcephala
‘Red Dragon’
Although knotweed may cause nervous reactions for some gardeners, as the species form is known to be unruly, the cultivated ‘Red Dragon’ is sterile and therefore very well-behaved. Clump-forming rather than stoloniferous, this cultivar makes a wonderful component for mixed containers, cottage gardens, and front borders. ‘Red Dragon’ boasts beautiful, designer leaves of purple, green, and silver chevrons attached to wide red stems. Flowers are small and baby’s breath-like, persisting from mid-summer to fall. In climates with intense summer heat, plant in shade to part shade to prevent fading of the colorful foliage. Persicaria is extremely tolerant of many soil types and is hardy in zones 6-8.April is a gorgeous time of year to spend in the gardens, with blooming tulips, budding dogwoods and pretty petunias, we can’t think of a better time of year to get out and enjoy spring’s arrival.

Check out this month’s featured plant list from the Cheekwood gardening team. Read our plant labels in the gardens to see if you can find each of these featured plants.