Category: Gardens

Reflecting Pool
Pontederia cordata / Pickerel Weed

Pickerel weed is native to eastern North America and the Caribbean. It has soft blue blooms, resembling hyacinth, punctuated with yellow spots on each petal. A freshwater-aquatic plant, it will thrive in your rain garden or backyard pond, and, much like horsetail plant (Equisetum), it can spread rapidly. With its dense root system, it does an amazing job of controlling erosion by keeping sediment it place. Grow in containers, either out of water or in, if spread is a concern.

The leaves of Pontederiaare shaped like arrowheads and, when young, can be used in salads. Its seeds are also edible, and tastes best when roasted, though waterfowl will eat them raw. Butterflies are big fans of this perennial; dragonflies and damselflies commonly lay their eggs on plant stems near the water’s surface. Fish, reptiles, and other water creatures seek shelter in the clumps of these plants. It is often seen in the same habitats as the pickerel fish, hence the common name.Let’s try it. Imagine a fall without the quintessential ray-flowered, uniform, burnt orange, purple, and yellow mums flanking front doors and creating autumnal porch presentations. It’s almost as difficult to imagine a poinsettia-less Christmas, due partly to tradition and partly to their vibrant, instant pops of color.

The potted mums we see so commonly this time of year is Chrysanthemum x morifolium. Chrysanthemums are hardy or semi-hardy herbaceous perennials in the Asteraceae family, producing blooms in response to cool nights. Mums are particularly popular this time of year, because while most summer annuals and perennials have tired and faded, the sturdy and reliable mums are beginning to bloom. This is how they have gained such popularity as a décor for harvest festivals around the U.S.

There are, however, other perennials besides mums that we usually treat as annuals or nothing more than short-term dining room table ornamentation, which will bring delightful blooms and autumnal color year after year.

If you are looking to expand your harvest display this year, here are my top 5 picks that extend beyond the mum.Robinson Family Water Garden
 
Hydrangea paniculata ‘Tardiva’ / Panicle Hydrangea

One of the most winter hardy of all hydrangeas, ‘Tardiva’ is very similar to ‘Floribunda’, although the sepals surrounding the base of the blooms are mostly in sets of four and not five. The panicles of showy white flowers become tinged with rose and lavender coloration as they age. The leaves of panicle hydrangeas are handsomely ovate and dark green. There is excellent cut and dried flower potential with this shrub which will grow up to 10 feet tall if conditions are right. Use in a mass hedge or back border for the grandest effect. If larger flowers are desired, prune shrub to 5-10 primary shoots in late winter or early spring. H. paniculatais native to China and Japan.Martin Boxwood GardensReflecting Pool

Euphorbia characias / Mediterranean Spurge

A native to the Mediterranean, you will find this most commonly planted spurge located around the reflecting pool. The foliage is a verdant blue green and lush with healthy, helix-arranged foliage. Needing well drained soils (they dislike heavy clay), euphorbias prefer all the sun they can get and grow to a height of 3 feet in optimal conditions. In the months of May and June, you can see these spurges blooming in chartreuse. The contrast between the robust flower heads and the blue-toned foliage is very attractive, especially when used as a border planting.

Mediterranean spurge reseeds well (perhaps too well for some gardeners?), puts on a fabulous show with little care, and is deer, rabbit and drought tolerant. After flowers have gone to fruit, and seed is set, you can hear the seeds popping, dispersing into the surrounding garden. In milder winters and in zone 8, this euphorbia can be evergreen. Like croton, another submission for this month’s featured plant list, Mediterranean spurge has a milky sap that is a skin irritant.Turner Season’s Garden: Fall Section
Colchicum hybrid ‘The Giant’ / Autumn Crocus, Meadow Saffron

Fall-blooming and often called “autumn crocus, it is not a crocus at all. It belongs to its own family, Colchicaceae, while Crocus belongs to the Iridaceae family.  They are visually similar, until you take a closer look. First, count the stamens. Crocus have 3, Colchicum have 6. Colchicum have 3 distinct styles, while Crocushas 1 that is divided into 3 just below the tip. The leaves of Crocus are very narrow with a white stripe down the middle. Colchicum has leaves that are wide, with no stripe and have long died back by the time of flower.

Colchicum is a corm, a swollen underground plant stem that stores nutrients, which aids in the plant’s winter survival. If it’s instant gratification that you seek, this plant will send up 5-10 shoots per corm. Colchicum are to be planted in later summer to flower only a few weeks later in early-mid fall. For the best results, plant Colchicum with friends like hosta and artemisia, or a groundcover that will help stabilize the plant as it is known to flop over without support.

‘The Giant’ is a hybrid between speciosa, giganteum, and others.It has a checkered pattern, or tessellation, of dark and light lilac and is white at its center. This Colchicum is one of the tallest and most free-flowering of the genus, its blooms frequently being compared to a goblet or chalice.Howe Garden
Aster shortii/ Short’s Aster

Located underneath the leaning ash in the Howe Garden, this native aster provides a soft overture as the season turns from hot to bearable. Blooming from late August to October, the radial-shaped (and larger than average) flowers of this species appear either lavender or light blue, depending on the light and surround yellow disks that will turn a reddish tone with age. Beside flower size, to distinguish from other woodland aster, the leaves can also be telling. Short’s Aster has smooth leaf edges and not toothed, like others.

Found in upland oak-history woodlands, rocky woodlands and slopes, as well as woodland borders and paths, you will often find this species in areas where limestone is close to the surface of the ground. As middle Tennessee is rich in limestone, Short’s Aster is a common site in our natural areas and provide nectar for many of our pollinators including the long-tongued bee, small-tongued bee, butterflies, skippers, and flies.These 5 fall florals can be seen throughout our gardens during
Cheekwood Harvest
. Stop by from September 19 – November 1 to gather garden inspiration that will inspire you to go beyond the mum!

By Shanna Jones, Plant Collections Manager at Cheekwood

Photos courtesy of Andrew Bruckse Photography
Anemonex ‘September Charm’ / Japanese anemoneWell-drained soils and partial shade are the 2 main ingredients for a winning anemone display. Although anemome can be slow to establish, after year 2 or 3, you may find that it’s a bit aggressive. The late flowering blooms are much appreciated here in the South when most other plants are preparing for winter or too hot and tired to put on a show. ‘September Charm’ is known for her abundance of single-flowered, upright blooms, an iridescent rose-pink in color and ability to extend its flowering well into October. This is a clumping perennial that forms rhizomes and is known to naturalize. Plant in partial shade to avoid leaf burn and with ample room to colonize.
Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldstrum’This cultivar is a tried and true one, dating back to 1937 Czechoslovakia when it was first found in a nursey. Today it one of the most popular perennials in the marketplace. With a high tolerance to heat and humidity, the species, R. fulgidais native to the southeastern U.S. Foliage is dark green, flowers are deep yellow, 3-4” wide with deep brown central cones.
Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘National Arboretum’ / fountain grass‘National Arboretum’ is a late summer-blooming, clump-forming grass that produces dark purple plumes from August – October. The species is Native to West Australia and East Asia. As the name suggests, the cultivar ‘National Arboretum’ was developed at the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington D.C. The foliage isn’t anything too spectacular- it really is all about the feathery flower spikes with this grass, and some gardeners may even find the foliage more attractive as late fall and winter interest. The leaves take on a yellow-brown color when temperatures begin to turn in fall. Given full sun and an average amount of moisture, this grass can greatly benefit a garden’s texture palette and reach a height of 2-3 feet tall. It is a vigorous re-seeder in optimal conditions, but it does not come back true to seed.
Ceratostigma plumbaginoides/ LeadwortTrue blue flowers and remarkable fall color are two attributes not commonly found in a low-growing, herbaceous perennial. Native to Western China, leadwort blooms from July until October and makes an outstanding groundcover during warm months (it is not evergreen) and does very well in most conditions. However, for the best performance, plant in well-drained soil and provide this plant with afternoon shade. It’s tricky to say that any plant is deer resistant, but leadwort is not the first plant that deer will go after. This plant pairs well with silver and gray tones, as well as with bulbs. Once bulb foliage begins to die back, Ceratostigma begins to bloom, creating a beautiful distraction.
Amsonia hubructii/ Arkansas AmsoniaIt’s hardly about the blooms with this plant. Flowers occur in spring, and they are a very light blue, some may even see white. The foliage, however, is a substantially poofy mass of feathery narrowleaf foliage from late spring until frost. The texture provides a soft touch and dynamic contrast when paired with leathery-leafed and tougher-looking plants. Truly a multi-seasonal plant of interest, in autumn the entire thing turns from a pristine green to tones ranging from golden yellow to copper. This native is not a favorite with deer or voles and prefers full sun to be at its best.

Reflecting Pool
Pontederia cordata / Pickerel Weed

Pickerel weed is native to eastern North America and the Caribbean. It has soft blue blooms, resembling hyacinth, punctuated with yellow spots on each petal. A freshwater-aquatic plant, it will thrive in your rain garden or backyard pond, and, much like horsetail plant (Equisetum), it can spread rapidly. With its dense root system, it does an amazing job of controlling erosion by keeping sediment it place. Grow in containers, either out of water or in, if spread is a concern.

The leaves of Pontederiaare shaped like arrowheads and, when young, can be used in salads. Its seeds are also edible, and tastes best when roasted, though waterfowl will eat them raw. Butterflies are big fans of this perennial; dragonflies and damselflies commonly lay their eggs on plant stems near the water’s surface. Fish, reptiles, and other water creatures seek shelter in the clumps of these plants. It is often seen in the same habitats as the pickerel fish, hence the common name.Mums aren’t the only fall plants in our garden! The Cheekwood garden team has hand selected their top plant picks for October from 9 of our distinct gardens. Use this as your guide as you explore the grounds.Robinson Family Water Garden
 
Hydrangea paniculata ‘Tardiva’ / Panicle Hydrangea

One of the most winter hardy of all hydrangeas, ‘Tardiva’ is very similar to ‘Floribunda’, although the sepals surrounding the base of the blooms are mostly in sets of four and not five. The panicles of showy white flowers become tinged with rose and lavender coloration as they age. The leaves of panicle hydrangeas are handsomely ovate and dark green. There is excellent cut and dried flower potential with this shrub which will grow up to 10 feet tall if conditions are right. Use in a mass hedge or back border for the grandest effect. If larger flowers are desired, prune shrub to 5-10 primary shoots in late winter or early spring. H. paniculatais native to China and Japan.Martin Boxwood GardensReflecting Pool

Euphorbia characias / Mediterranean Spurge

A native to the Mediterranean, you will find this most commonly planted spurge located around the reflecting pool. The foliage is a verdant blue green and lush with healthy, helix-arranged foliage. Needing well drained soils (they dislike heavy clay), euphorbias prefer all the sun they can get and grow to a height of 3 feet in optimal conditions. In the months of May and June, you can see these spurges blooming in chartreuse. The contrast between the robust flower heads and the blue-toned foliage is very attractive, especially when used as a border planting.

Mediterranean spurge reseeds well (perhaps too well for some gardeners?), puts on a fabulous show with little care, and is deer, rabbit and drought tolerant. After flowers have gone to fruit, and seed is set, you can hear the seeds popping, dispersing into the surrounding garden. In milder winters and in zone 8, this euphorbia can be evergreen. Like croton, another submission for this month’s featured plant list, Mediterranean spurge has a milky sap that is a skin irritant.Turner Season’s Garden: Fall Section
Colchicum hybrid ‘The Giant’ / Autumn Crocus, Meadow Saffron

Fall-blooming and often called “autumn crocus, it is not a crocus at all. It belongs to its own family, Colchicaceae, while Crocus belongs to the Iridaceae family.  They are visually similar, until you take a closer look. First, count the stamens. Crocus have 3, Colchicum have 6. Colchicum have 3 distinct styles, while Crocushas 1 that is divided into 3 just below the tip. The leaves of Crocus are very narrow with a white stripe down the middle. Colchicum has leaves that are wide, with no stripe and have long died back by the time of flower.

Colchicum is a corm, a swollen underground plant stem that stores nutrients, which aids in the plant’s winter survival. If it’s instant gratification that you seek, this plant will send up 5-10 shoots per corm. Colchicum are to be planted in later summer to flower only a few weeks later in early-mid fall. For the best results, plant Colchicum with friends like hosta and artemisia, or a groundcover that will help stabilize the plant as it is known to flop over without support.

‘The Giant’ is a hybrid between speciosa, giganteum, and others.It has a checkered pattern, or tessellation, of dark and light lilac and is white at its center. This Colchicum is one of the tallest and most free-flowering of the genus, its blooms frequently being compared to a goblet or chalice.Howe Garden
Aster shortii/ Short’s Aster

Located underneath the leaning ash in the Howe Garden, this native aster provides a soft overture as the season turns from hot to bearable. Blooming from late August to October, the radial-shaped (and larger than average) flowers of this species appear either lavender or light blue, depending on the light and surround yellow disks that will turn a reddish tone with age. Beside flower size, to distinguish from other woodland aster, the leaves can also be telling. Short’s Aster has smooth leaf edges and not toothed, like others.

Found in upland oak-history woodlands, rocky woodlands and slopes, as well as woodland borders and paths, you will often find this species in areas where limestone is close to the surface of the ground. As middle Tennessee is rich in limestone, Short’s Aster is a common site in our natural areas and provide nectar for many of our pollinators including the long-tongued bee, small-tongued bee, butterflies, skippers, and flies.Carell Dogwood Garden
Corpus kousa ‘Big Apple’ / Kousa Dogwood

A dogwood of many virtues, Cornus kousa ‘Big Apple’, located where the Carell Dogwood Garden meets the Burr, is in full fruit, dispersed heavily, but elegantly throughout its branches like ornaments on display. Pinky-red in color, these drupes resemble raspberries and are edible and possibly enjoyable, if you can get past the mealy texture. The flowers appear in mid-May, about 2-3 weeks after Cornus florida. As with all dogwoods, the winter interest is great with the characteristic horizontal branching, an architecture that only becomes stronger with age. For landscape value, C. kousais a supreme choice. Its lateral branching habit is effective at breaking up the monotony of vertical branching trees and shrubs, the flowers provide color before the mass explosion of summer color, it is small enough to plant near a house, and the bark takes on an exfoliating quality as it matures. In addition to the large fruit (1.25 – 1.5” sized drupes) of ‘Big Apple’ that develops and persists through October, the fall color of the foliage varies from amber orange to reddish-purple and is very frost resistant.

Photo courtesy of T. Davis Sydnor, The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org

Burr Terrace Garden
Begonia ‘Looking Glass’ / Begonia hybrid

An annual that can never outstay her welcome, this Begonia provides a unique and cool tone to raised planters and containers. In the Burr garden, it is stunning with large silver leaves cascading over the brick. A cane type, often called “angel-wing” for the shape of its leaves, the stems are long with swollen joints, or nodes, resembling that of bamboo. Easy to grow (especially easier than rex begonias), this category of begonia is grown primarily for its foliage. ‘Looking Glass’ possesses olive-green venation with cranberry-colored undersides.

Bred by Patrick J. Worley in 1981, in climates with mild winters (south Florida, zone 10 and higher), ‘Looking Glass’ and others like it can reach 4 feet in height with a width of 5 feet. During the growing season, pinching the tip back will induce growth of new canes from the base. This will help stabilize the plant as it can be quite leggy, rarely branching above soil level. Flowers are pink but pale in comparison to the foliage. For those of us not living in tropical climates, all begonias make perfect houseplants, especially during the winter.Shōmu-en Japanese Garden
Thuidium delicatulum/ Common Fern Moss, Delicate Fern

In our Japanese Garden, past the viewing pavilion, a carpet of bright green moss is growing. Not a planned planting, this fern moss occurred naturally, and, being so appropriate for the space, was nurtured to be the expansive groundcover that it is today. Called “fern moss” because of the resemblance the leaves have to that of a small fern, it often forms mats of leaves in areas that that can seem unfit for other plants. If given part sun to medium shade, soil on the acidic side, periods of wet to moist conditions, and protection from prevailing winds, you will indeed have an inviting space for moss to thrive. Moss is one of the most drought tolerant plants, though needing water for photosynthesis to occur (which will lead to faster growth) and to reproduce sexually (though not asexually), it does not need it for survival. During a dehydration period, the moss appears dead; it’s brown and dried up. With added moisture, fern moss quickly springs back to life. Humidity plays a larger role in the health of moss than actual rainfall or irrigation.

Thuidium is found in an extremely wide range,  primarily in Europe, the Middle East, Siberia, and Asia, but has also been documented in Alaska, S. Dakota, Iowa, British Columbia, the Yukon, N. Carolina to Michigan, Mexico, and South America, as well as Newfoundland to Manitoba. It’s uses are almost just as varied, once utilized as “caulking” for log cabins, stuffing for bedding, mattresses and coffins, it is presently seen as hanging basket liners, soil covers for terrariums and elements of floral displays (under the moniker “sheet moss”).

In Japanese culture, moss is regarded as a symbol of age, tradition and harmony. It invites self-forgetfulness. If moss is looked at closely, its tiny details resemble images of larger plant life- even the trees that protect and shade it. The culture also attributes a great amount of respect to history. As moss is slow to spread, the plant is symbolic of the precious passing of time, and therefore is nurtured with reverence and care.

Photo courtesy of Charles T. Bryson, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org

Robinson Family Water Garden
Maclura pomifera / Osage-orange

Currently producing fruit and located by the stream, alongside our arboretum lawn, the Osage-orange has a few outstanding qualities: drought and heat tolerance, pest resistance (including deer), as well as an extreme tolerance to high pH in limestone soils (which is common around parts of  middle Tennessee). This native and durable tree of the mulberry family is very effective for problem areas. Basically, the windiest, worst soil quality, driest, and post-apocalyptic of sites make wonderful placements for this tree. And that is admirable.

The fruit is bizarre-looking, grapefruit-sized, not palatable, looking something like a brain, and can potentially cause harm if you happen to be standing underneath a tree after ripening season (a.k.a. now). It is made of a conglomeration of small individual drupes, filled with a latex-based juice.

Maclura
pomiferacan reach a height of 50 or 60’, though usually in the range of 20 – 40 feet. As the scaly bark made of longitudal fissures ages, it takes on an orange patina which is very attractive. The tree’s wood is extremely remarkable, especially for furniture-making. The wood contains a compound called tetrahydroxystilbene which is toxic to a large population of fungi, therefore, making the wood and furniture made from it very decay-resistant. To use within your landscape, and not the back 40, select a male, thornless variety to avoid the messiness that the fruit can produce.

Photo courtesy of Joseph M. DiTomaso, University of California – Davis, Bugwood.orgHerb Study GardenNative American bed

Ilex verticillate ‘Sunset’ / Common Winterberry

When many of us think fall color, it’s usually that of foliage that first comes to mind. Depending on the time of flower, fruit of many plants appear in the fall, some in the form of berries or drupes, as with the common winterberry, Illex verticillata. The bright reddish-orange fruit can persist until December or January, depending on the whether it is on the local (and migratory) birds’ radar. It withstands wet soils very well. With a deep dark green foliage color that can have a purple tinge in fall, the best effect of this shrub is seen when planted in a mass. Full sun to part shade is the recommended sun exposure, though it well set more fruit when given more sun. It appreciates acidic soil, though it is open to a variety of soil tilths. It is crucial to plant at least 2 winterberries for pollination to take effect. Without fruit set, what’s the point?! The cultivar ‘Sunset’ has been around for a few decades, and its pollinator is ‘Southern Gentleman’. With a vigorous spreading habit and potential to reach 6 – 8’ tall, this selection will certainly make a statement in any landscape.Bradford Robertson Color Garden
Codiaeum variegatum ‘Mammy’/ Croton

A popular houseplant commonly used to spice up a room, it is currently growing in the Color Garden and has been since early summer. It’s vivid and rich foliage coloration lends an unlikely, but uniquely festive and attractive punch when paired with mums and pumpkins. ‘Mammy’ is among the shorter cultivars and boasts twisted foliage of red, yellow, dark green, and orange. The contrast between the dark green and the other, brighter colors, creates an intense and stunning effect. With more sun exposure, that intensity is increased, though, the color is quite vivid when grown in part shade, too. Native to Malaysia, Australia, Indonesia, and the Caribbean, it is often seen planted in groupings or as a hedge in tropical climates such as Florida, Southern California, and Hawaii.

Low maintenance, though not very tolerant of wet soils, crotons are in the Euphorbiacea family, the same as Poinsettias, and contain a milky sap that is poisonous and will irritate the skin. It was once used in the outdated medical practice of purging-not recommended. If you own a croton and are a cat parent, this could be a reason for your cat’s vomiting. Keep it out of reach for the health of your feline friends.

Reflecting Pool
Pontederia cordata / Pickerel Weed

Pickerel weed is native to eastern North America and the Caribbean. It has soft blue blooms, resembling hyacinth, punctuated with yellow spots on each petal. A freshwater-aquatic plant, it will thrive in your rain garden or backyard pond, and, much like horsetail plant (Equisetum), it can spread rapidly. With its dense root system, it does an amazing job of controlling erosion by keeping sediment it place. Grow in containers, either out of water or in, if spread is a concern.

The leaves of Pontederiaare shaped like arrowheads and, when young, can be used in salads. Its seeds are also edible, and tastes best when roasted, though waterfowl will eat them raw. Butterflies are big fans of this perennial; dragonflies and damselflies commonly lay their eggs on plant stems near the water’s surface. Fish, reptiles, and other water creatures seek shelter in the clumps of these plants. It is often seen in the same habitats as the pickerel fish, hence the common name.There is much to see in the gardens this month! The Cheekwood garden team has hand picked their top plant picks from 9 of our distinct gardens. Use this as your guide as you explore the grounds.Robinson Family Water Garden
 
Hydrangea paniculata ‘Tardiva’ / Panicle Hydrangea

One of the most winter hardy of all hydrangeas, ‘Tardiva’ is very similar to ‘Floribunda’, although the sepals surrounding the base of the blooms are mostly in sets of four and not five. The panicles of showy white flowers become tinged with rose and lavender coloration as they age. The leaves of panicle hydrangeas are handsomely ovate and dark green. There is excellent cut and dried flower potential with this shrub which will grow up to 10 feet tall if conditions are right. Use in a mass hedge or back border for the grandest effect. If larger flowers are desired, prune shrub to 5-10 primary shoots in late winter or early spring. H. paniculatais native to China and Japan.Burr Terrace Garden
Rohdea japonica / Sacred Lily

In difficult gardening spots like dry shade, sacred lily can be an attractive alternative to cast iron plant, providing a viable evergreen component at a considerably shorter stature throughout the winter season. This is definitely a plantsperson’s plant. There really isn’t anything stunning about the species. Perhaps a few of the cultivars with variegated foliage can provide more interest to some gardeners. I relate the appreciation of this plant to becoming more invested in artisanal tea-drinking later in life. Attractive red fruit is produced which adds the only real flavor. The best use for Rohdea is the reliably evergreen and contrasting texture it provides when paired with companions such as ferns and hostas.Wills Garden and
 Frist Learning Center / Café 29
Ceratostigma plumbaginoides / Leadwort

True blue flowers and remarkable fall color are two attributes not commonly found in a low-growing, herbaceous perennial. Native to Western China, leadwort blooms from July until September and makes an outstanding groundcover during warm months (it is not evergreen) and does very well in most conditions. However, for the best performance, plant in well-drained soil and provide this plant with afternoon shade. It’s tricky to say that any plant is deer resistant, but leadwort is not the first plant that deer will go after. This plant pairs well with silver and gray tones, as well as with bulbs. Once bulb foliage begins to die back, Ceratostigmabegins to bloom, creating a beautiful distraction.Howe Garden
Torreya taxifolia / Stinking Cedar

Our Torreya taxifoliacan be admired from the bridge leading into the Howe garden’s central lawn. Slightly pyramidal and slow growing. the Stinking Cedar is one of the oldest living plant species on Earth, dating back to 165 million years ago (to put this in perspective, Ginkgo biloba- the Oldest Living Known Plant-has been in existence for 270 million years). Once covering the Northern Hemisphere, it was pushed down by glaciers. When the glaciers retreated it became isolated in small pockets throughout the southeastern U.S. Our specimen came to us from the United States National Arboretum in 1985. Two distinguishing features of the Torreya are its sharp needle tips and the unpleasant aroma of its foliage and cones when crushed. You can see it in fruit this month. The olive-shaped fruit is attractive, turning from a blue-toned to a darker green with age later in fall.

Though native to Florida, it has been critical to plant and establish Torreya taxifoliaoutside of its native range for preservation reasons. Following the popular use and consequential overharvesting  of the species for riverboat fuel, Christmas trees, and fence posts, was the twig blight, Pestalotiopsis. This finally put T. taxifoliaon the Endangered Species List in 1984. A recovery plan was established for the tree in 1986. Today there are between 200 – 600 (depending on the source) stinking cedar trees left in the wild.Carell Dogwood Garden
Chelone lyonii ‘Hot Lips’ / Turtlehead

Native from North GA all the way up to Newfoundland and west to Minnesota (it has an impressive hardiness range of zones 3-8), the foliage of Chelone has dark, lustrous, green serrated foliage which provides a unique contrast with its rose-colored flowers. Large clumps will form given 3-4 years. ‘Hot Lips’ has red stems and begins blooming here at Cheekwood in the late summer. The puffy flowers are held on flower spikes and resemble those of snapdragon. Turtlehead performs best when planted in naturalized areas or boggy, wet soils and it fully appreciates afternoon shade. It is a host plant for the Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly.Shōmu-en
Japanese Garden
Chamaecyparis obtusa / hinoki falsecypress

This evergreen conifer, pyramidal in form with a pendulous branching habit, supplies not only a structural backdrop element, but plenty of character to play as a specimen, too. Foliage consists of dark green scale-like leaves with white undersides that possess blunt, rounded tips, giving the specific epithet name, “obtusa”.  The foliage tends to brown in winter. The bark is a very attractive reddish brown that sheds in strips when the tree is mature. It is native to Japan and was introduced to the United States in the late 1860’s.

It MUST have well-drained soil to perform well at all. Loamy soil is preferred, and full sun is the best siting for this tree.Robinson Family Water Garden
Anemonex ‘September Charm’ / Japanese anemone

Well drained soils and partial shade are the 2 main ingredients for a winning anemone display. Although anemome can be slow to establish, after year 2 or 3, you may find that it’s a bit aggressive. The late flowering blooms are much appreciated here in the South when most other plants are preparing for winter or too hot and tired to put on a show. ‘September Charm’ is known for her abundance of single-flowered, upright blooms, an iridescent rose-pink in color. This is a clumping perennial that forms rhizomes and is known to naturalize. Plant in partial shade to avoid leaf burn and with ample room to colonize.Bradford Robertson Color Garden
Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘National Arboretum’ / fountain grass

‘National Arboretum’ is a late summer-blooming, clump-forming grass that produces dark purple plumes from August – October. The species is Native to West Australia and East Asia. As the name suggests, the cultivar ‘National Arboretum’ was developed at the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington D.C. The foliage isn’t anything too spectacular- it really is all about the feathery flower spikes with this grass, and some gardeners may even find the foliage more attractive as late fall and winter interest. The leaves take on a yellow-brown color when temperatures begin to turn in fall. Given full sun and an average amount of moisture, this grass can greatly benefit a garden’s texture palette and reach a height of 2-3 feet tall. It is a vigorous re-seeder in optimal conditions, but it does not come back true to seed.Herb Study GardenNative American bed

Eupatorium fistulosum / hollow Joe Pye weed

Hollow Joe Pye Weed is native, very winter hardy in Tennessee, and the perfect food source for butterflies such as Horace’s Duskywing and the Bronze Skipper. It provides an upright, clumping architecture to garden design. What is most wonderful about this native perennial is that it provides color and interest from late summer until fall (seed heads will persist well into the winter!). We often see a lull during this time due to tired gardens (and gardeners), but this is one plant that can help supplement that gap. Plant on the edge of rain gardens or other water locales.Seasons Garden: Summer Section / Trains Display
Gaura lindheimeri ‘Sparkle White’ / white gaura, whirling butterflies

Because Gaura tolerates heat and humidity, southern gardens are often seen softened with the white panicle of blooms set above reddish stems. This perennial tolerates poor soils, as well, if good drainage is provided. The species is native to Texas and Louisiana, and though gaura is such a common garden staple now (and presents itself as an old-fashioned element of Americana), it has not always been the case. Once an understated, obscure roadside wildflower of the midsouth, it is now sought after for the movement and informality it brings to the landscape due to breeding efforts performed in the 1980s. Gaura will sprawl and naturalize without much waiting around. Be sure to cut back blooms as soon as the flowers fade and are no longer gaining admirers; this will ensure rebloom until frost. The breeding work of ‘Sparkle White’ presents a more compact habit. The cultivar is award winning- the 2014 AAS Bedding Plant Winner and a recipient of Europe’s FleuroSelect Gold Medal award for garden performance.

Reflecting Pool
Pontederia cordata / Pickerel Weed

Pickerel weed is native to eastern North America and the Caribbean. It has soft blue blooms, resembling hyacinth, punctuated with yellow spots on each petal. A freshwater-aquatic plant, it will thrive in your rain garden or backyard pond, and, much like horsetail plant (Equisetum), it can spread rapidly. With its dense root system, it does an amazing job of controlling erosion by keeping sediment it place. Grow in containers, either out of water or in, if spread is a concern.

The leaves of Pontederiaare shaped like arrowheads and, when young, can be used in salads. Its seeds are also edible, and tastes best when roasted, though waterfowl will eat them raw. Butterflies are big fans of this perennial; dragonflies and damselflies commonly lay their eggs on plant stems near the water’s surface. Fish, reptiles, and other water creatures seek shelter in the clumps of these plants. It is often seen in the same habitats as the pickerel fish, hence the common name.There is much to see in the gardens this month! The Cheekwood garden team has hand picked their top plant picks from each of our 11 distinct gardens. Use this as your guide as you explore the grounds.Robinson Family Water Garden
 
Hydrangea paniculata ‘Tardiva’ / Panicle Hydrangea

One of the most winter hardy of all hydrangeas, ‘Tardiva’ is very similar to ‘Floribunda’, although the sepals surrounding the base of the blooms are mostly in sets of four and not five. The panicles of showy white flowers become tinged with rose and lavender coloration as they age. The leaves of panicle hydrangeas are handsomely ovate and dark green. There is excellent cut and dried flower potential with this shrub which will grow up to 10 feet tall if conditions are right. Use in a mass hedge or back border for the grandest effect. If larger flowers are desired, prune shrub to 5-10 primary shoots in late winter or early spring. H. paniculatais native to China and Japan.Will’s Garden
Aster tataricus / Tatarian Aster

Tatarian Aster is a tall species, usually reaching between 3 – 4’, but, if it’s really happy, it can grow up to 6’ or more. If this height is a concern, a good trick is to cut it back by half in June. This encourages lateral (bushiness) rather than vertical growth. Whatever height the gardener prefers with this species, staking will not be necessary as the stems are structurally sound and strong. Aster is a perfect garden component for bridging the summer and fall seasons, inviting butterflies to stick around a bit longer. Tartarian aster blooms blue-purple ray flowers with yellow centers and it colonizes well. Native to Siberia, it has a surprisingly impressive hardiness range. It can withstand the freezing temperatures of zone 3 and the hot, humid conditions of zone 9.Sigourney Cheek Literary Garden 
 
Lillium pilippinense / Philippine Lily

Originating from the Philippines, Lilium philippinense is one of the most southern-based, naturally occurring species. It grows up to 3 feet tall and is a trumpet form due to the shape of its flower, a white bloom, featuring a green throat and attractive reticulation (petals that curl back). The backsides of each petal are streaked in red. It will produce offset clones and grow continuously year-round in tropical climates. It is not cold hardy and is, alas, only an annual here in Nashville. Plantings are most effective when massed in a garden’s back border.Howe Garden
Lobelia cardinalis / Cardinal Flower

The flower clusters of Lobelia cardinalis are made up of brightly lit, red racemes that begin opening from the base up to the apex. The leaves are toothed and lanceolate in shape. It is right at home in the Howe Wildflower Garden amid other North American native plants. The unconventional shape of its bloom makes it challenging for insects to access its pollen. Because of this, cardinal flower depends strictly on hummingbirds for pollination.

For maximum moisture retention that will provide the best nourishment and rich color, soil can be amended with peat moss and afternoon shade is extremely advantageous. These conditions will also help the survival of self-sown seeds. Cardinal flower looks best when planted in groups, and with other colorful late season bloomers like Rudbeckia.Burr Terrace Garden
Passiflora ‘Iridescence’ / Passionflower

Such a unique flower and extremely showy- there is a lot going on between the petals, the crimped fringe of the corona filaments, the stamens and the style; and its displayed so obviously for all the interested pollen seekers to find. Passionflower is a southeastern native vine that attaches to structures by auxiliary tendrils and thrives in a variety of habitats ranging from lowlands and open fields. The egg-shaped fruit, called “maypops” fully matures in July. It is pulpy and edible, often used in jelly-making, but can also be eaten right off the vine. The leaves are used to make tea that helps relieve anxiety and insomnia.  Of all the passionflowers, hybrids of P. incarnataare ones most likely to overwinter here in Nashville. ‘Iridescense’ has a hardiness factor of 7-11. For a little extra winter survival insurance, plant near a wall or other building structure and be sure to collect seeds at the end of the growing season. Passionflower prefers full sun to light shade, well-drained soils, and can speedily grow up to 25ft long.Shōmu-en
Japanese Garden
Pinus bungeana / Lacebark Pine

P. bungeanamay be a slow grower but it is well worth the wait. It can eventually reach a height between 30 – 50’. Its best feature is its handsome bark, a mosaic of green, white and brown, exfoliating and becoming more attractive as it matures. Its cones are small, only measuring 2 – 3” long, oval-shaped and brown. Lacebark pine makes a superb specimen tree for all seasons, though its winter interest is sublime and so fitting in the Shomu-en Japanese Garden. It symbolizes longevity and has been planted in temple gardens for ages. Native to central and northern China, it is commonly found growing on limestone rich soils, of which Nashville has plenty. Pinus bungeanaenjoys full to part sun.Color Garden Arches
Canna ‘Cannova Mango’ / Canna

‘Cannova Mango’ provides a profusion of lush, salmon-colored blooms atop stalks extending upright from green tropical foliage. It makes a beautiful garden backdrop in full sun, as seen while walking through the Color Garden Arches, or as a patio container thriller. Thriving in hot, humid climates, cannas begin flowering in midsummer and will continue until fall. With a hardiness zone of 7b – 10, it may overwinter in Nashville. It’s worth trying. If you don’t want to chance it, lift the plant(s) from the soil after the first frost has knocked the foliage over. Place bulbs in a bag full of slightly moist peat moss and store until spring in a cool, dry room with a temperature of 40°F or higher.  Cannas do a fine job of attracting hummingbirds and butterflies.Bradford Robertson Color Garden
Agave americana / Century Plant

Agave americana provides dramatic texture and cool blue-gray tones to the Bradford Robertson Color Garden this summer season, adding to the tropical theme along with the bromeliads and cannas. Agave is very drought tolerant and performs best when grown in well drained soils (soils that have poor drainage will invite root rot for this plant) and full sun. A major plus in adding this plant to your home garden (or inside your home in the sunniest room) are the pups, or offsets, that can be removed from the parent plant and given to a friend. Agave’s common name is century plant. It’s a myth that these plants bloom every 100 years, rather it’s more like every 10- 25 years. After the agave blooms, it does die (monocarpicis the term used to describe a plant that flowers once and subsequently dies), but it’s pups will continue to grow. Blooms are showy on very erect single stalks with displays of greenish yellow panicles of flowers. Century plant is native to SW U.S. and Mexico.Herb Study Garden
Humulus lupulus ‘Cascade’/ Hops

Many folks would say this plant is their herb of choice for any year, howevertheAmerican Herb Society has made it official for 2018.H. lupulusvar. neomexicanus and H. lupulusvar. lupuloidesare native to the Southweast and Eastern United States, respectively. Native Americans used these species to make topical creams for pain relief and herbal teas to induce relaxation and even fight infections. Humulus lupinus(Humulus is Latin for “sprawling on the ground”) is also native to Northern Europe. Dutch and English farmers brought their own hops over in the late 1600s for the primary purpose of beer making.

Hops is a stabilizing and flavoring agent used in brewing beer. Over the years, it has been bred to produce cultivars that are low in bitterness and high in aroma. ‘Cascade’ is an American variety developed by the USDA and released in 1972 and is considered the most popular hop variety, “Cascade” was bred from the English variety “Fuggle” and a Russian variety called “Serebrianka.”It grows dark green, beautifully lobed foliage. Its cone-like fruits harbour a spicy, citrus-like fragrance which contributes to its flavor of the same notes when brewed.

The flowers of hops give way to strobiles, cone shaped fruits found on the female plants only. These are harvested at the end of the summer when they have turned a golden amber in color and are papery to the touch. Strobiles begin to lose their potency after just a few weeks. Freezing the fruit in vacuumed sealed packaging until use is recommended as the best storage practice.

Hops has a wide hardiness range, growing in zones 5 – 10. It’s a vigorous climber, growing up to 20 feet in one long growing season and it performs best when given full sun and plenty of water. For the most successful crop, loamy, well-drained soil is a must. A pH of 6.5-8 is preferred and many home gardeners have testified to the wonderous benefits of nutritious composted manure, as hops is a heavy feeder.Seasons Garden: Summer Section / Trains Display
Asclepias incarnata ‘Ice Ballet’ / Milkweed

Nestled within the new trains display of the Turner Seasons’ summer garden, the native swamp milkweed is attracting a myriad of Tennessee butterflies, such as the spicebush swallowtail. Its fragrance is a telltale sign of the nectar within its tiny blooms; the foliage is a perfect egg-laying platform for monarchs.

The species is a pale mauve in color, however the blooms of ‘Ice Ballet’ are a clean white in color and persistent throughout the summer. Full sun and medium to wet, well-drained soils will ensure the best performance. Better yet, rain gardens or any low spot in your garden are ideal situations.

Asclepias is deer tolerant, an environmentally beneficial native perennial, and can be divided after a few years once plenty of clumps have formed.