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For more information about Cheekwood’s gardens, visit https://cheekwood.local/explore/gardens/.

 

Photos courtesy of Andrew Bruckse Photography. The weather may be cooling down, but there are plenty of things to see in our gardens this time of year! From pansies to winterberry holly, there is something for every garden lover to see and enjoy. Be sure to keep an eye out for the labels throughout the gardens, and see if you can find all of our featured plants this month.Robinson Family Water Garden
Japanese Plum Yew
Cephalotaxus harringtonia
A coniferous, low-growing, evergreen shrub with attractive foliage. Prefers partial shade and moist soil, but able to tolerate full sun or full shade.

Wills Perennial Garden
Pampas Grass
Cortaderia selloana
Native to South and Central America, this tall, stately and showy grass can grow up to an imposing nine feet in height. Prefers full sun.

Turner Seasons Garden
Yellowberry Nandina
Nandina domestica
Small to medium, evergreen shrub with elegant, sharp foliage often described as heavenly bamboo, although totally unrelated to the prolific Asian grass species. Graced with bunches of berries that are sometimes white, but more consistently yellow here in the Seasons Garden.Shomu-en, Japanese Garden
Japanese Black Pine
Pinus thunbergii
A two- needle pine native to the coastal regions of Japan known to reach heights of up to 100 feet, but are often sculpted by pruning to be kept small. In Japanese they call this term Niwaki meaning ‘garden trees’, also referred to as ‘the king of bonsai’.

Burr Terrace Garden
Sunshine Daydream™ Abelia
Abelia x grandiflora ‘Abelops’
Mounding evergreen shrub noted for its tri-colored foliage and featuring white blooms from spring to fall. Prefers at least six hours of full-sun exposure and hardy in Zones 6 through 9.

Howe Garden
Winterberry Holly
Ilex verticillata ‘Golden Verboom’
Mid-sized deciduous shrub that enjoys full sun and rich, moist, acidic soil. Produces yellow berries in late fall.Carell Dogwood Garden
Persian Ironwood
Parrotia persica
Medium-sized tree that can grow to 20 – 40 feet in height and 20 – 30 feet wide. Noted for its excellent fall color with leaves turning yellow, orange and red. The exfoliating bark also provides winter interest. Prefers full sun.

Herb Study Garden
Sasanqua Camellia
Camellia sasanqua ‘Rose of Autumn’
Medium to large evergreen shrub featuring semi-double flowers of rose-pink. Prefers shade to partial sun and cold-hardy up to Zone 6.Martin Boxwood Gardens
Bald Cypress
Taxodium distichum ‘Peve Minaret’
A pyramidal deciduous conifer with fern-like foliage that turns an attractive orange to cinnamon-brown color in the fall. Tolerates wet soils.

Bradford Robertson Color Garden (Arches)
Matrix Rose Blotch Pansy
Viola x wittrockiana ‘Matrix Rose Blotch’
Winter annual with large, cheerful flowers from fall through winter. Adds winter interest to the garden space with subtle pink and purple rose tones.

All of these exciting developments and corresponding changes are part of the Cheekwood Board-approved long-term Master Site Plan conducted by Reed Hilderbrand and completed in 2016, and our current five-year strategic plan, aptly titled, FAST FORWARD: Cheekwood in Pursuit of National Preeminence (Part II: 2017 -2021).

Cheekwood’s momentum remains strong as funds raised through The Cheekwood Campaign and the support of members, donors, and friends like you help to preserve and enhance this extraordinary cultural treasure! Should you have any questions or concerns, or are interested in continuing the momentum at Cheekwood through a gift to The Cheekwood Campaign, please direct those to 

TheCampaign@cheekwood.local.

Sincerely,

Jane O. MacLeod
President/CEOPrior to its closing on January 1, we invite you to enjoy lunch in the Pineapple Room Tuesday through Sunday, 11 am to 2 pm through November 23. During Holiday and Holiday LIGHTS festivals beginning November 24, we will offer the following days and hours in the Pineapple Room and Gift Shop:

• Dinner available Tuesday through Sunday, 5 to 9 pm
• Holiday Tea available Thursday and Friday at 2 pm (reservations required)
• Lunch available Saturday and Sunday, 11 am to 2 pm

Cheekwood will not offer food service onsite during January and February 2018. Beginning in March, a variety of food truck vendors will be onsite daily during the Cheekwood in Bloom festival, and on select days throughout the summer and fall, after the Courtyard Café is open to the public.

Cheekwood’s long-term Master Plan calls for a Visitor Center & Conservatory that will provide space for an additional full-service restaurant in future years. In the interim, the Courtyard Café will serve as Cheekwood’s food services venue. Plans are currently in development for a future outdoor amphitheater that will encompass the site of the current Pineapple Room and Gift Shop building and augment the redesigned Carell Woodland Sculpture Trail, scheduled to debut in 2020.

The Cheekwood Mansion Gift Shop that opened as part of the 2017 
refurnishing project will remain open, and the Frist Learning Center renovation will provide for a second retail site, featuring gardening and garden accessories as well as children’s items to complement the 2019 opening of the Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden, directly across from the Frist Learning Center.The current renovation will include the creation of a new café, additional meeting and retail space, refurbished art studios and classrooms as well as new interpretative areas that extend upon this summer’s 1930s era refurnishing of the Cheekwood Mansion.

While progress ensues, the Frist Learning Center will be temporarily closed during the renovation, and programs normally held in the Center, including Tuesdays for Tots, will be suspended until the Center reopens in April 2018. Plans for a Grand Reopening celebration are underway!

Among the many enhancements of the renovation, we are especially excited about the new Courtyard Café that will feature expanded hours from 9 am to 3 pm and a quick casual menu of soups, sandwiches, salads, baked goods, coffee selections and alcoholic beverages.

The new Courtyard Café is much needed as it has become cost prohibitive to continue operating the aging building which currently houses the Pineapple Room Restaurant and adjacent Gift Shop, both of which will close to the public permanently in January 2018. The building will be removed shortly thereafter. We are grateful to Cheekwood members and visitors who have frequented the Pineapple Room over the years to enjoy its ambiance and garden views, and know it will be greatly missed.Cheekwood’s momentum continues with this month’s much-anticipated 
renovation of the Frist Learning Center, our hub of education, exploration, and discovery. This exciting renovation and accompanying enhancements have been 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. To date, over $22 million has been raised toward this unprecedented effort to fund endowment, restoration, capital reserves and revenue initiatives integral to Cheekwood’s long-term Master Site Plan.

Located in the building which originally served as the Cheek family’s horse stables and garages, the Frist Learning Center was created in the late 1990s with support from the Frist Foundation to accommodate Cheekwood’s year-round educational and public programming, including art activities and demonstrations, classes and camps, workshops and exhibitions and, most recently, the Martin Shallenberger Artist in Residence.

Burr Terrace GardenArkansas Blue Star
Amsonia hubrichtii
A clump-forming perennial that grows up to 3’ high and wide.  Has blue flowers in spring, and needle-like leaves that turn bright gold in autumn. Native to the Ouachita Mountains in central Arkansas.

Turner Seasons GardenWhite Beautyberry
Callicarpa americana
Medium-sized shrub with light green foliage contrasted by striking bunches of white berries.

Wills Perennial Garden


Tartarian aster
Aster tartaricus
Tall, trouble-free perennial that grows 3-6′ in height and features glowing violet-blue flowers that attract butterflies. Prefers full sun, but tolerates shade.Carell Dogwood GardenIvy Leaf Cyclamen
Cyclamen hederifolium
Tuberous perennial with variably shaped leaves that range in color between green and silver.  Flowers from late summer to autumn with pink, purple or white flowers.

Herb Study GardenPolyantha Rose
Rosa x polythantha ‘Marie Pavie’
An antique rose noted for its compact size (3-4’) and nearly thornless canes.  A repeat bloomer with pale pink buds that open to white flowers.

Robinson Family Water GardenCommon Winterberry

Ilex verticillata ‘Winter Gold’

A deciduous holly that produces beautiful orange-yellow berries beginning in early autumn and persisting throughout the winter.Howe GardenBushy Bluestem
Andropogon glomeratus
Large ornamental grass featuring branched inflorescences shaped like a turkey foot. The foliage turns a copper color after frost.

Martin Boxwood GardensBlack Tupelo
Nyssa sylvatica
Beautiful, medium-sized shade tree with wonderful yellow to orange fall color. Tolerates poorly-draining soil.

Bradford Robertson Color Garden (Arches)Climbing Aster
Ampelaster carolinianus
Fine-textured perennial with a climbing, vining growth habit and delicate lavender flowers.November is a beautiful time of year to stroll the grounds at Cheekwood. With 55 acres of rolling hills and pristine gardens, there is something for everyone to see, including our mile-long Carell Woodland Sculpture Trail.

As we countdown the final weeks until Holiday LIGHTS, take a look at what’s in store for you in the gardens.

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

Join, Renew or Give the Gift of Membership

“Coming from New York City, Cheekwood is the closest thing to Central Park we have. It’s so pretty and we especially love the seasonal events like El Dia de los Muertos. As new members, we’re looking forward to being able to bring family out for all of the wonderful educational programs.”

            – Grace and daughters, Aniaya and Tinerra

“We love gardening, so for us it’s a wonderful place to come and see what’s blooming in the gardens and get inspiration. We especially love coming during Cheekwood in Bloom to see the tulips. Our daughter loves coming to see the turtles and ducks in the ponds. It’s just wonderful place to be able to come and spend time outdoors.”

     -Tu, Van and daughter, Nguyen

“For us it’s a nice quiet place to pack a picnic and get out and enjoy the day. We love the wide variety of events that are offered. Fall is one of our favorite seasons because of all of the weekend activities.”

                 – April, Nate and daughter, Lilly

“I like having a beautiful, different environment to escape to… to be able to come walk around with my son. He loves the trains. Fall is our absolute favorite season at Cheekwood because of all of the programming like El Dia de los Muertos and the Pooch Parade.”

                     – Rachel and son, Everett

On Monday, October 2, 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 families what they enjoyed most about their memberships.

Shomu-en, Japanese GardenKatsuratree

Cercidiphyllum japonicumMedium to large tree with rounded, heart-shaped leaves that turn a brilliant apricot-yellow in fall. Sugars are at peak production as the leaves reach the end of their life cycle, and the tree emits a sweet, sugary smell often described as cotton candy, baked apple pie or brown sugar.

Wills Perennial GardenFlowering Ginger

Hedychium coronariaTall, stately perennial with almost tropical foliage hardy in Zone 7 through 9.  Blooms in the fall with a lovely fragrance.Turner Seasons GardenAmerican Beautyberry

Callicarpa americana var. lacteaWhite-fruiting variety of the more common purple-fruiting species.

Burr Terrace GardenCherry Dazzle® Dwarf Crape Myrtle

Lagerstroemia indica ‘Cherry Dazzle’

Deciduous shrub, 3′ tall 4’ wide, handsome foliage, crepe-papery inflorescences, of cherry-red flowers

Robinson Family Water Garden
Kalimeris pinnatifida ‘Hortensis’

Dainty perennial with white daisy-like flowers borne on a thin, delicate stem. Blooms from early summer to early fall.

 Howe GardenShort’s Aster

Symphyotrichum shortiiFamiliar fall perennial that airily branches into a billow of tiny leaves and pale lavender-blue flowers.

Carell Dogwood GardenFlowering Dogwood

Cornus florida ‘Xanthocarpa’

A small deciduous tree that typically grows 15 – 30’ tall and featuring the characteristic showy bracts in spring. ‘Xanthocarpa’ has yellow drupes in the fall instead of the red fruit more typical of the species.

Herb Study GardenAmerican Beautyberry

Callicarpa americanaNative shrub of the southern US with an open habit and producing large clusters of purple berry-like drupes in September and October.October is one of the most beautiful times of year in the South, and what better way to enjoy it than with a stroll through the Cheekwood gardens? We’ve highlighted some must-see blooms in the gardens this month, and believe us, it is definitely more than mums!

As you’re touring the gardens, be sure to keep an eye out for the name cards that identify each plant. Take notes for inspiration for your own garden!

Bradford Robertson Color GardenMexican Bush Sage

Salvia leucantha ‘Santa Barbara’

Stout and coarse-textured perennial featuring gray-green foliage and contrasting purple flowers.

Drought tolerant and reliable landscape selection.

Martin Boxwood Gardens
Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfeniiSpurge

Herbaceous perennial with blue-green leaves and yellow, bottlebrush-like inflorescences; almost ‘Seussical’ in appearance. Best grown in well-drained soils in full sun.

Cheekwood thanks its host families and attendees of its fourth annual benefit, and gratefully acknowledges the important support of Music City Tents & Events, Lipman Brothers, LLC and R.S. Lipman Company, and the in-kind supporters below who generously lent their time and support to the fourth annual FALL FOR CHEEKWOOD Family Benefit.

As the sun set across Cheekwood’s gardens and pumpkin patch, the evening came to a close with festive favors from Batch Nashville, the Bang Candy Company, and The Loveless Café that sent a little FALL FOR CHEEKWOOD magic home with every family.

 

Photos courtesy of Mary Craven Photography Co-chairs Ashley Frist and Kailey Hand helped kick off the benefit, welcoming guests to a beautiful evening in the Cheekwood fall gardens with magical offerings for guests of all ages, including a towering hay slide, hayrides, and a festive fall mini golf course provided by Holes To Go.  A magnificent spread provided by Jim ‘N Nick’s Community Bar-B-Q served as the signature Southern Supper, while Bang Candy Company mallows and Tempered Café & Chocolate treats delighted children (and grown-ups!) at the S’mores Bar.  The event design was highlighted with stunning florals by Garden Delights Fine Florist.  Children and families enjoyed a signature harvest Christie Cookie Co. decorating activity, along with festive lawn games including ‘Pumpkin Tic-Tac-Toe’ and temporary tattoo stand.  The new Cheekwood Harvest Pumpkin House also provided the perfect backdrop for a family photo in the Go Bonanza! Booth.

 On Sunday, September 24^th, children and families donned their festive fall finest and headed to Cheekwood for the fourth annual FALL FOR CHEEKWOOD Family Benefit.  A sold-out success for the fourth year running, FALL FOR CHEEKWOOD benefits Cheekwood’s school programs, allowing 10,000 school children from across the Southeast to visit and experience the wonder of Cheekwood free of charge, giving access to children who may not otherwise have the opportunity. Serving as Honorary Co-Chairs were Lily Aldridge and Caleb Followill and Jessie Baylin and Nathan Followill.  FALL FOR CHEEKWOOD was presented by Houlihan Lokey and sponsored by Hand Family Companies and naviHealth.

 

Wills Perennial Garden
Horn-of-Plenty
Datura metel “Belle Blanche”
The white trumpet-shaped flowers on this sprawling, exotic looking perennial open in the evening and last only one night. Attracts sphinx moths and other pollinators. A tender perennial that self-sows.

Burr Terrace Garden
Hyacinth bean
Lablab purpureus
Ornamental twining vine with purple-tinged trifoliate leaves. Features showy fragrant flowers that attract hummingbirds. Dried seeds are toxic.

Robinson Family Water Garden
Egyptian Star Flower
Pentas lancelota ‘Kaleidoscope Carmine’
A sturdy annual with star-shaped, fushcia blooms clustered together in rounded corymbs.

Upper Stream
Hybrid Winterberry
Ilex verticillata x serrata ‘Bonfire’
Deciduous shrub known for producing numerous dense clumps of small red fruits in the late summer. Holds fruit well into winter and acts as a source of food for songbirds.Martin Boxwood Gardens
Maidenhair Tree
Ginkgo biloba
Large tree with picturesque loose pyramidal form and fan-shaped leaves that turn yellow in the fall.

Bradford Robertson Color Garden

Colocasia esculenta ‘Elena’
Elephant Ear
Tropical foliage plant with large heart-shaped leaves of a bold chartreuse color.

Herb Study Garden
Cardinal Flower
Lobelia cardinalis
Upright native perennial featuring brilliant red flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Loves moist soil and often found growing near streams and ponds.

Shomu-en, Japanese Garden
Lacebark Elm
Ulmus parvifolia ‘Seiju’
Dwarf variety of this common deciduous tree with smooth leathery leaves and handsome, flaking bark. Commonly used in Bonsai.
 As the autumn season sets in, the gardens at Cheekwood become a canvas for fall florals, from cardinal flower to the ever-popular chrysanthemums that steal the show during Cheekwood Harvest.  As you stroll the gardens this month, be sure to keep an eye out for these blooming buds highlighted in the many distinct gardens throughout the grounds.

Howe Garden
Cardinal Flower

Lobelia cardinalis – Upright native perennial featuring brilliant red flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Loves moist soil and often found growing near streams and ponds.

Sigourney Cheek Literary Garden
Little-leaf Sage
Salvia microphylla x greggii ‘Heatwave Blast’
Drought-tolerant perennial with small leaves and near woody stems. Salmon colored flowers blooms lightly through the summer and crescendos to bloom heavily until frost.