What's In Bloom Archives - Page 2 of 10 - Cheekwood

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Top Plant Picks April 2026

Posted on March 30, 2026 by Philip Bartko Jr.

Centaurea montana ‘Amethyst in Snow’ (Mountain Bluet)

Bloom Time: April to June

Sun Requirement: Full Sun

Water Requirement: Low to Medium

Wildlife: Attracts bees, buttterflies, and moths

Tolerates: Dry soils

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 3 to 7

Other: This drought-tolerant perennial features white petals radiating around a deep purple center.

Location: Sigourney Cheek Literary Garden

Paeonia lactiflora ‘Little Medicine Man’ (Peony)

Bloom Time: April

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Attracts honeybees

Tolerates: Deer and rabbit resistant

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 3 to 8

Other: A compact peony with vivid pink flowers and bright yellow stamens

Location: Turner Seasons Garden

Paeonia lactiflora 'Little Medicine Man'

Rhododendron × ‘Fashion’ (Hybrid Azalea)

Bloom Time: April to May

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Attracts butterflies

Tolerates: Acidic soils

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 6 to 10

Other: Hybrid azalea covered profusely with salmon-colored flowers and will repeat bloom in the fall.

Location: Carell Dogwood Garden

Rosa ‘Sea Foam’ EarthKind® Rose (Sea Foam Rose)

Bloom Time: April to June

Sun Requirement: Full Sun

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Attracts bees

Tolerates: Good disease resistance

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 5 to 11

Other: A trailing rose with cascading white flowers that bloom in flushes throught the season.

Location: Herb Study Garden

Valeriana pauciflora (Large-flowered Valerian)

Bloom Time: April to May

Sun Requirement: Part Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Bumblebees, butterflies, and moths

Tolerates: Minimum insect or disease issues

Native to North America: Yes

Zones: 4 to 9

Other: A lovely addition to a moist, shady garden featurint light pink funnel-shaped flowers.

Location: Howe Garden

Viburnum ‘Nantucket’ (Nantucket Viburnum)

Bloom Time: April to May

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Shelter for birds

Tolerates: Deer resistant, drought and heat tolerant

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 6 to 9

Other: This woody ornamental makes an excellent hedge and shows off in the spring with large white flowers.

Location: Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden

Amsonia tabernaemontana ‘Thunder Cloud’ (Blue Star)

Bloom Time: April to May

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Long-tongued bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies

Tolerates: Deer resistant, heat tolerant

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 4 to 9

Other: A compact, clumping perennial with periwinkle blue blooms atop dark stems.

Location: Blevins Japanese Garden

Cephalotaxus harringtonia (Japanese Plum Yew)

Bloom Time: N/A

Sun Requirement: Part Shade to Full Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Shelter for birds and small mammals

Tolerates: Deer resistant, heavy shade

Native to North America: No

Zones: 6 to 9

Other: Prized for its dark, evergreen foliage with a low-growing habit ideal for foundation plantings.

Location: Robinson Family Water Garden

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Top Plant Picks March 2026

Posted on February 26, 2026 by Philip Bartko Jr.

Pulmonaria ‘Trevi Fountain’ (Lungwort)

Bloom Time: March to April

Sun Requirement: Part Shade to Full Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Early season pollinators

Tolerates: Deer resistant, Heavy shade

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 4 to 9

Other: Foliage is speckled with silver and flowers are pink in bud and blue when open.

Location: Petite Swan Garden

Pieris japonica ‘Scarlet O’Hara’ (Japanese Pieris)

Bloom Time: March to April

Sun Requirement: Part Shade to Full Sun

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Early season bees

Tolerates: Deer resistant, Heavy Shade

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 5 to 8

Other: An evergreen shrub featuring red new growth and cascading white bell-shaped flowers.

Location: Blevins Japanese Garden

Phacelia bipinnatifida (Fernleaf Phacelia)

Bloom Time: March to April

Sun Requirement: Part Shade to Full Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Attracts bees

Tolerates: Poor soils

Native to North America: Yes

Zones: 5 to 8

Other: This woodland perennial as arching clusters of lavender flowers.

Location: Howe Garden

Narcissus ‘Ice King’ (Double Daffodil)

Bloom Time: March

Sun Requirement: Part Shade to Full Sun

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Bees, wasps, and butterflies

Tolerates: Deer resistant

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 3 to 8

Other: Features large double flowers with a ruffled pale yellow center and white outer petals.

Location: Blevins Japanese Garden

Euphorbia myrsinites (Myrtle Spurge)

Bloom Time: March to April

Sun Requirement: Full Sun

Water Requirement: Low

Wildlife: Bees, butterflies, beneficial flies

Tolerates: Drought and Rocky Soil

Native to North America: No

Zones: 5 to 9

Other: A trailing evergreen with blue-green succulent-like leaves and bright green yellow blooms.

Location: Sigourney Cheek Literary Garden

Hepatica acutiloba (Sharpe-lobed Heptica)

Bloom Time: March to April

Sun Requirement: Part to Full Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Sweat bees and beneficial flies

Tolerates: Varied soil types

Native to North America: Yes

Zones: 3 to 9

Other: White to pale lavendar flowers bloom over speckled leaves.

Location: Herb Study Garden

Erythronium albidum (White Trout Lily)

Bloom Time: March to April

Sun Requirement: Part Shade to Full Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Chipmunks, ants, and bees

Tolerates: Woodland conditions

Native to North America: Yes

Zones: 3 to 8

Other: A delicate spring wildflower with nodding white petals and mottled leaves.

Location: Howe Garden

Cercis canadensis f. alba (Eastern Redbud)

Bloom Time: March to April

Sun Requirement: Part Shade to Full Sun

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Attracts butterflies and birds

Tolerates: Deer resistant, Clay Soils

Native to North America: Yes

Zones: 4 to 9

Other: Pure white blossoms line bare branches on this native understory tree.

Location: Sculpture Trail

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Top Plant Picks February 2026

Posted on February 3, 2026February 4, 2026 by Philip Bartko Jr.

Parrotia persica (Perssian Ironwood)

Bloom Time: Februrary to April

Sun Requirement: Full Sun

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Nesting sites for birds

Tolerates: Clay Soil and Air Pollution

Native to North America: No

Zones: 4 to 8

Other: Deciduous tree noted for exfoliating bark. Small apetalous red flowers hang from branches in late winter.

Location: Martin Boxwood Garden

Platanus × acerifolia ‘Bloodgood’ (London Plane Tree)

Bloom Time: April

Sun Requirement: Full Sun

Water Requirement: Medium to High

Wildlife: Nesting sites for birds

Tolerates: Urban Conditions

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 4 to 8

Other: Bark peels off creating a patchwork pattern of cream, brown, and tans and creating winter interest.

Location: Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden

Crocus tommasinianus ‘Ruby Giant’ (Snow Crocus)

Bloom Time: Februrary to March

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Early food source for bees

Tolerates: Deer Resistant

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 3 to 8

Other: This bulb blooms with star-shaped, deep violet flowers in late winter and early spring.

Location: Howe Garden

Juniperus chinensis ‘Angelica Blue’ (Chinese Juniper)

Bloom Time: N/A

Sun Requirement: Full Sun

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Birds

Tolerates: Drought tolerant once established

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 4 to 9

Other: A great horizontal accent plant for the garden with evergreen silvery-blue foliage.

Location: Sigourney Cheek Literary Garden

Rubus hayata-koidzumii (Creeping Raspberry)

Bloom Time: May to June

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Medium to Low

Wildlife: Nectar for pollinators

Tolerates: Drought and Dry Soils

Native to North America: No

Zones: 7 to 9

Other: During the colder months, the leaves of this groundcover turn deep burgundy.

Location: Wills Perennial Garden

Narcissus ‘Erlicheer’ (Double Daffodil)

Bloom Time: Februrary to April

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: N/A

Tolerates: Deer Resistant

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 5 to 9

Other: A double daffodil with creamy white flowers that can be forced indoors to enjoy it’s delightful fragrance.

Location: Frist Learning Center

Rohdea japonica (Sacred Lily)

Bloom Time: N/A

Sun Requirement: Part to Full Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Pollinated by ants

Tolerates: Heavy Shade

Native to North America: No

Zones: 6 to 10

Other: An evergreen perennial that adds a tropical flair to the shade garden. Bright red berries appear through the winter.

Location: Carell Dogwood Garden

Ilex glabra ‘Compacta’ (Inkberry)

Bloom Time: May to June

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Medium to High

Wildlife: Birds

Tolerates: Wet Soils

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 4 to 9

Other: A compact cultivar of native evergreen shrub with a tight rounded habit. Tiny jet-black berries persist through winter.

Location: Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden

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Top Plant Picks January 2026

Posted on December 30, 2025 by Philip Bartko Jr.

Ilex decidua ‘Warren’s Red’ (Possumhaw)

Bloom Time: May

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Birds such as cedar waxwings, robins, and bluebirds eat berries

Tolerates: Clay Soils

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 5 to 9

Other: The bright red winter berries and graceful form of this shrub provides wildlife value and ornamental interest year-round.

Location: Turner Seasons Garden

Stewartia pseudocamellia (Japanese Stewartia)

Bloom Time: June to July

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Provides pollen for bees and butterflies

Tolerates: N/A

Native to North America: No

Zones: 5 to 8

Other: Noted for its patchwork bark that shows off in patterns of orange, brown, red, and gray in the winter.

Location: Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden

Galanthus spp. (Snowdrop)

Bloom Time: January to February

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Provides early nectar and pollen for bees

Tolerates: Deer Resistant

Native to North America: No

Zones: 3 to 7

Other: A bulb emerging in winter as the harbinger of spring with delicate, nodding white flowers

Location: Howe Garden

Ilex opaca ‘Cave Hill’ (American Holly)

Bloom Time: May

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Birds

Tolerates: Deer Resistant, Clay Soils

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 5 to 9

Other: This cultivar of our native evergreen holly produces abundant cardinal red berries throughout the winter.

Location: Burr Terrace Garden

Magnolia × soulangeana ‘Alexandrina’ (Saucer Magnolia)

Bloom Time: March to April

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Beetles

Tolerates: Clay Soils

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 5 to 8

Other: A flowering tree that is unmatched for elegant beauty. Large fuzzy buds appear in late winter on bare branches.

Location: Turner Seasons Garden

Dryopteris erythrosora (Japanese Shield Fern)

Bloom Time: N/A

Sun Requirement: Part Shade to Full Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Provides shelter to frogs, toads, and other anphibians and reptiles.

Tolerates: Heavy Shade, Rabbit Resistant

Native to North America: No

Zones: 5 to 8

Other: The fronds of this fern emerge coppery red and mature to green. Evergreen in warmer climates.

Location: Robinson Family Water Garden

Rhododendron ‘Smitty’s Orange Crush’ (Hybrid Azalea)

Bloom Time: April

Sun Requirement: Part Shade to Full Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Hummingbirds and butterflies

Tolerates: Drought once established

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 6 to 9

Other: Dark red buds on bare stems open to clusters of vivid orange flowers in the spring.

Location: Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden

Agarista populifolia (Florida Hobblebush)

Bloom Time: May

Sun Requirement: Part Shade to Full Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Attracts bees and butterflies, provides winter cover for birds

Tolerates: Deer Resistant

Native to North America: Yes

Zones: 7 to 9

Other: An arching evergreen coastal shrub with leathery leaves that makes a good foundation plant.

Location: Howe Garden

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Top Plant Picks December 2025

Posted on December 1, 2025 by Philip Bartko Jr.

Santolina chamaecyparissus (Lavendar Cotton)

Bloom Time: July to August

Sun Requirement: Full Sun

Water Requirement: Low to Medium

Wildlife: Bees and butterflies

Tolerates: Drought

Native to North America: No

Zones: 6 to 9

Other: A mounding woody shrub with silver foliage that is finely textured and fragrant.

Location: Sigourney Cheek Literary Garden

Opuntia macrocentra (Purple Pricklypear)

Bloom Time: May to June

Sun Requirement: Full Sun

Water Requirement: Low

Wildlife: Bees and hummingbirds

Tolerates: Drought

Native to North America: Yes

Zones: 6 to 10

Other: This cactus has distinct black spines against purple-blue pads.

Location: Martin Boxwood Garden

Juniperus squamata ‘Blue Star’ (Singleseed Juniper)

Bloom Time: N/A

Sun Requirement: Full Sun

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Provides shelter to birds and small mammals

Tolerates: Deer and Rabbit Resistant

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 4 to 8

Other: A low-growing, spreading juniper with icy blue foliage that makes a perfect addition to rock gardens.

Location: Frist Learning Center

Carex oshimensis ‘Everest’ EverColor® (Sedge)

Bloom Time: May

Sun Requirement: Part Shade

Water Requirement: Medium to High

Wildlife: N/A

Tolerates: Deer resistant

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 5 to 9

Other: This cold-hardy, varigated sedge makes for a great accent plant or groundcover.

Location: Sigourney Cheek Literary Garden

Ilex × ‘Fosters No. 2’ (Foster Holly)

Bloom Time: April to May

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Berries attract birds

Tolerates: Urban Conditions

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 6 to 9

Other: Deep red berries contrast against glossy evergreen foilage during the winter season.

Location: Bradford Robertson Color Garden

Cupressus arizonica ‘Blue Ice’ (Arizona Cypress)

Bloom Time: N/A

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Low

Wildlife: Provides shelter to birds and small mammals

Tolerates: Drought

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 6 to 9

Other: An excellent drought-tolerant tree with icy blue foliage year round.

Location: Robertson Family Water Garden

Chasmanthium latifolium (Nothern Sea Oats)

Bloom Time: August to September

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Medium to High

Wildlife: Host plant for skippers; seeds consumed by birds

Tolerates: Black Walnut

Native to North America: Yes

Zones: 3 to 8

Other: The drooping seed heads can be left standing to add texture to the winter landscape.

Location: Howe Garden

Cornus kousa var. chinensis ‘Milky Way’ (Chinese Dogwood)

Bloom Time: April to May

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Attracts butterflies and birds

Tolerates: Deer resistant

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 4 to 8

Other: Usually admired for its white spring flowers, this small tree also features attractive, mottled bark in winter.

Location: Turner Seasons Garden

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Top Plant Picks November 2025

Posted on October 28, 2025 by Philip Bartko Jr.

Panicum virgatum ‘Cloud Nine’ (Switch Grass)

Bloom Time: July to February

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Medium to High

Wildlife: Attracts birds

Tolerates: Drought, Erosion, Wet and Dry Soils

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 5 to 9

Other: Large plumes of seed panicles rise above blue foliage on this ornamental grass.

Location: Wills Perennial Garden

Datura inoxia (Pricklyburr)

Bloom Time: July to November

Sun Requirement: Full Sun

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Moths

Tolerates: Drought

Native to North America: No

Zones: 9 to 10

Other: Blooms intermittently from mid-summer to frost with pure white trumpets.

Location: Wills Perennial Garden

Picea pungens ‘Baby Blue’ (Colorado Spruce)

Bloom Time: N/A

Sun Requirement: Full Sun

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Provides shelter to mammals and birds

Tolerates: Deer, Rabbit, Drought

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 3 to 7

Other: A semi-dwarf cultivar with silvery-blue needles year-round.

Location: Turner Seasons Garden

Clethra alnifolia ‘September Beauty’ (Sweet Pepperbush)

Bloom Time: August to September

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Medium to High

Wildlife: Attracts butterflies

Tolerates: Wet Soils and Erosion

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 3 to 9

Other: Fragrant flowers are followed by seed capsules that persist into winter, adding late season interest.

Location: Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden

Caryopteris incana ‘Beyond Pink’d’ (Bluebeard)

Bloom Time: September to November

Sun Requirement: Full Sun

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Attracts hummingbirds, bees, butterflies

Tolerates: Drought and Heat

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 7 to 9

Other: Produces spires of baby pink flowers from late summer to mid-fall.

Location: Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden

Ilex x ‘Robin’ (Robin Holly)

Bloom Time: April to May

Sun Requirement: Full Sun

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Berries attract birds

Tolerates: Adaptable to various soil conditions

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 6 to 9

Other: Clusters of bright red berries contrasts agains dark green foliage.

Location: Bradford Robertson Color Garden

Rosa ‘Caldwell Pink’ (Caldwell Pink Rose)

Bloom Time: May to November

Sun Requirement: Full Sun

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Butterflies

Tolerates: Adaptable to various soil conditions

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 6 to 9

Other: Produces abudant sprays of double, pink flowers from spring until the first frost.

Location: Rose Study Garden

Cryptomeria japonica ‘Globosa Nana’ (Dwarf Japanese Cedar)

Bloom Time: N/A

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: N/A

Tolerates: Deer, Drought, and Heat

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 6 to 9

Other: A soft-textured evergreen that naturally keeps it round, compact shape.

Location: Petite Swan Garden

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Top Plant Picks October 2025

Posted on September 30, 2025 by Philip Bartko Jr.

Acer rubrum ‘Brandywine’ (Red Maple)

Bloom Time: March to April

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Medium to High

Wildlife: Provides nesting sites for birds.

Tolerates: Air Pollution

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 4 to 9

Other: An excellent specimen tree with a dense canopy of intense scarlet fall color.

Location: Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden

Fothergilla ‘Mount Airy’ (Dwarf Fothergilla)

Bloom Time: April to May

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Provides shelter to birds, flower attract pollinators

Tolerates: Drought and Compact Soils

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 5 to 8

Other: Leathery leaves with a spectacular display of red, orange, and purple fall color.

Location: Robinson Family Water Garden

Loropetalum chinense ‘Suzanne’ (Fringe Flower)

Bloom Time: May to October

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Sun

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: N/A

Tolerates: Deer and Rabbit Resistant

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 7 to 9

Other: Noted for its maroon foliage and masses of hot pink flowers in the spring that repeat through autumn.

Location: Wills Perennial Garden

Agastache ‘Pink Pearl’ (Agastache)

Bloom Time: May to October

Sun Requirement: Full Sun

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds

Tolerates: Deer and Rabbit Resistant

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 6 to 9

Other: A compact perennial featuring spikes of baby pink flowers with an extremely long bloom period.

Location: Bradford Robertson Color Garden

Aronia arbutifolia ‘Brilliantissima’ (Chokeberry)

Bloom Time: April

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Berries eaten by birds and mammals

Tolerates: Erosion

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 4 to 9

Other: A wonderful shrub to add fall color to your garden with bright red foliage and glossy berries.

Location: Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden

Quercus lyrata (Overcup Oak)

Bloom Time: March to April

Sun Requirement: Full Sun

Water Requirement: Medium to High

Wildlife: Acorns feed a variety of birds and mammals. Leaves support many species of butterflies and moths.

Tolerates: Erosion and Wet Soils

Native to North America: Yes

Zones: 5 to 9

Other: A native canopy tree with distinctive acorn caps that cover almost all of the nut.

Location: Arboretum Lawn

Cornus florida ‘Xanthocarpa’ (Flowering Dogwood)

Bloom Time: April to May

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Birds eat the fruits

Tolerates: Black Walnut and Deer

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 5 to 9

Other: In autumn, this cultivar of native understory tree has clusters of shiny, golden fruit.

Location: Carell Dogwood Garden

Rhus copallinum ‘Lanham’s Purple’ (Winged Sumac)

Bloom Time: July to August

Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Requirement: Low to Medium

Wildlife: Fruits eaten by birds and mammals.

Tolerates: Drought and Erosion

Native to North America: N/A

Zones: 4 to 9

Other: Striking shades of red, orange, and purple fall color on this small multi-stemmed shrub.

Location: Sigourney Cheek Literary Garden