November 2018 - Cheekwood
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The Holiday LIGHTS Experience

Cheekwood meets the North Pole in the most anticipated event of the season. In its fourth year, Nashville’s favorite holiday tradition returns with ONE MILLION LIGHTS illuminating our gardens for the prettiest winter stroll of the season. This year we introduced timed tickets to ensure our guests have the best experience possible. Last year’s Late Night Lights continues again this year, with discounted tickets available after 8:30 pm. Additionally, we introduced Military Mondays which offers half priced admission on Monday nights for military men and women as well as their immediate families for the remainder of the season.HolidayLIGHTSOur resident reindeer, Jolly and Nick, are joining us for their fourth year at Cheekwood. Guests can enjoy  festive holiday drinks and roast marshmallows by the fire in one of our s’mores pits. One of our new features this year is the Star Field located on the mansion lawn. These dancing lights entertain guests of all ages as they move to the tune of holiday classics.reindeerClassic holiday decorations are displayed throughout the mansion, including our Poinsettia tree featuring over 500 poinsettias. The Museum of Art has unique exhibits on display for the remainder of the year, including Gabriel Dawe’s Fields of Light and Continuity of Context: Five Artists in Dialogue with Cheekwood’s Collection. A special holiday exhibit, Toys and Traditions: A 1930s Christmas, highlights key decorations, vintage advertisements and toys from the 1930s.poinsettia treeOur newly renovated Frist Learning Center is the perfect spot to do your holiday shopping. The new Garden Gift Shop and Café 29 will be open each night during Holiday LIGHTS. Carolers will be singing holiday favorites, and each night in December leading up to Christmas Santa will be paying a visit to Cheekwood until 8 pm. santa
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.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.Wills Perennial Garden
Cortaderia selloana‘Pumila’ (Ivory Feathers®) / Pampas Grass

A dwarf form of pampas grass with creamy white flowers, the plumes of ‘Pumila’ reach about 3-4’ above the evergreen foliage. The panicles of flowers first appear in August and they remain not only intact, but very attractive throughout much of the winter. This dwarf form is perfect for small spaces and, of all available cultivars, this is one of the most floriferous. This tough ornamental grass is easy to grow and maintain.Petite Swan Lawn
Picea abies‘Pumila Nigra’ / Dwarf Norway Spruce

This dwarf Norway Spruce is of unknown origin, but it can be traced back to the late 1800’s when it was first documented in large collections and arboretums. The needles are darker than those of the species, hence the name ‘Pumila Nigra’. Ruby-red colored female flowers can be seen spreading on the crowns of the tree in May. Moderately moist, well-drained soil is the best condition for a happy Picea. They do prefer colder climates (hardiness zone of 2-7) and full sun is much appreciated. Though a small amount of shade is tolerated, it will become very thin and raggedy in too much shade.

This cultivar is the perfect addition to rock gardens, fairy-themed gardens, and front borders. It will grow to an average of 3-4 feet wide and high and is deer resistant.Turner Season’s Garden: Fall section
Acer palmatum ‘Willow Leaf’/ Japanese Maple

With a similar branching habit to that of flowering dogwood, Japanese maples can present a similar attractively layered architecture. Grown as either a tree or shrub according to personal preference, more of its ornamental attributes can be seen when grown as a shrub. A very versatile plant, Acer palmatumcan be used as a shrub border, container element, specimen planting, and bonsai. With bright orange-red leaves that turn deep purple-red in summer, ‘Willow Leaf’ is perfectly placed among the beautyberries in the Fall section of Turner Seasons Garden. The upright, rounded, small tree can grow up to 8′ tall with semi-pendulous branches.Howe Garden
Ilex verticillata ‘Golden Verboom’/ 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, Ilex verticillata.‘Golden Vebroom’ was created for the cut branch industry, originates from Verboom Nursery in Holland, and features yellow fruit that can persist until December or January, depending on the whether it is on the local (and migratory) birds’ radar.


Ilex verticillata 
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 as a mass among red fruit varieties of the same. Full sun to part shade is the recommended sun exposure, though it well set more fruit when given more sun. It appreciates acidic soil and it is open to a variety of soil tilths. It is crucial to plant at least 2 winterberries for pollination to take effect.Carell Dogwood Garden
Amsonia hubrichtii/ Arkansas Amsonia

Located in the Carell Dogwood Garden on the walk over toward the Burr, Arkansas Amsonia is a defining fall foliage flavor known well here at Cheekwood. Golden yellow shades with orange undertones can be appreciated from up close but also from a distance. It tends to flop over by this time of year, however, a good remedy for this is to cut the plant back by half after it’s finished blooming in April or May. Its flowers are subtle, light blue, almost white in warmer climates, but not a cause for too much excitement. A. hubrichtiioffers a wonderful textural contribution to garden beds and is especially beneficial when used along with broadleaf perennials and trees to break up monotony in shape.

Photo courtesy of John Ruter, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org. 
Burr Terrace Garden
Chrysanthemum x rubellum ‘Clara Curtis’/ Perennial Mum

As many of us are, ‘Clara Curtis’ is also known as ‘Country Girl’. This is a cultivar that has been on the market for many decades now, due to its reliable nature. With single, pink ray flowers encircling yellow centers, ‘Clara Curtis’ can reach a height or 2 feet tall. Hardy in climates as low as zone 5, the key to survival and highest garden potential for this plant is well-drained soil, consistent deadheading, and full sun. To avoid leggy plants, cut back by half in June. This will accomplish a more compact and attractive habit.

First cultivated as an herb in China during the 15thcentury, symbolism related to the Chrysanthemum abounds throughout many cultures (as one might expect of a plant with such a long history) ranging from optimism and joy to grief. It is also the November birth flower and the official flower of Chicago. Mums are short-day plants (like Poinsettias), meaning that they require long days for vegetative growth and short days for flowering, which aptly explains their fall bloom time.Shōmu-en
Japanese Garden & Reflection Pool
Ginkgo biloba/ Maidenhair Tree

Pure Autumn Royalty- Ginkgo biloba is a magnificent tree any time of the year, but during the month of November in Nashville, TN, it truly is a sight to behold. Cheekwood represents this tree well throughout the grounds; one of the best is showcased within the Shōmu-en Japanese Garden. Another, a female, is growing near the Reflection Pool in the Martin Boxwood Gardens. The ginkgo’s fan shaped leaves, attractive ridge-y bark, pyramidal growth habit, and ability to withstand a wide scope of growing conditions (including confined spaces), make the tree extremely popular and beloved by many.

One of the world’s oldest living trees- 165 million years old on Planet Earth(!), it is a gymnosperm, just like conifers. Gymnosperm literally means “naked seed”, therefore the fruit of the ginkgo is not enclosed within an ovary structure. When adding a ginkgo to any landscape design, one would be prudent to select a male, if possible. It is not easy to discern the gender until it’s quite mature (20-50 years). The seeds produced by female trees emits a universally unpleasant odor. Perhaps the coolest fact about this tree is that the ginkgo can live to be 3,000 years old.

Photo courtesy of Rebekah D. Wallace, University of Georgia, Bugwood.orgPresented By Jackson National Life Insurance Company 

With special thanks for the installation to:

Outdoor Lighting Perspectives 

With special thanks for the Poinsettia Tree to:

Dr. J.J. Wendel Plastic Surgery
lights entranceThis spectacular holiday event requires months of preparation and a team of highly skilled workers to get the job done. Outdoor Lighting Perspectives’ Bob Lyons has worked with Cheekwood the last three years on the installation of Holiday LIGHTS. Bob and his team start setting up at the beginning of August and aim to deck our gardens with ONE MILLION LIGHTS by mid-November.

“The Star Field was definitely one of the more challenging pieces this year,” said Lyons. “It’s comprised of over 250 sections of lights each with a different program to make the dancing lights a reality.”star fieldIn addition to the Star Field, our new trains exhibit will be lit up each night to entertain the kids and kids at heart. This year’s Holiday LIGHTS experience features everyone’s favorite traditions as well as plenty of new enhancements for the whole family to enjoy. Holiday LIGHTS is open every night from 5 pm – 10 pm until December 30, and tickets can be purchased in advance online for one of two time slots each evening. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit our Holiday LIGHTS page here.

 

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5 Factors for Happy Houseplants

We have 3 pets at our house. Our boxer and 2 middle-aged cats. However, the only one who seems to be a threat to our green things is Miss Oakie Bobby, the Maine Coon with a healthy appetite for chlorophyll. She’s experimented with everything from cutting out perfectly canine-shaped holes from the foliage (and leaving green spit-up as a bonus) to using our bigger plant containers as toilets. Yes, she is lucky that she’s cute. Of course, there are plants that are toxic to cats and dogs and other animals (a natural defense mechanism), causing various degrees of vomiting as well as extreme discomfort to their gastrointestinal tracts. The most popular houseplants poisonous to both cats and dogs are aloe, pilea, pothos, cyclamen, peace lily, kalanchoe, philodendron, coleus, and dieffenbachia There are many more, and I recommend checking out the ASPCA website to get a full list. Petmd.com is a wonderful resource to refer to as well. After you’ve distinguished the harmful plants from the benign and arranged them accordingly to safeguard your furry friends, it’s time to use tactics to deflect your pets’ interests if deemed necessary. Adding undesirable effects to your container plants such as tin foil or other sorts of material that your cat finds disturbing can work. Spraying foliage with diluted vinegar will also help repel your pet from wanting to eat it. Did you know there is a product that is manufactured with lion dung to act as a deterrent for cats? It is called Silent Roar and you sprinkle it onto the soil. Humans cannot detect the scent, but the felines can. It will give them the impression that the plant is someone else’s territory. Cayenne pepper can be used in the same manner. Cats abhor the scent of citrus, too. I don’t have to tell you that dogs are generally easier to train than cats. You can tell your dog “no” when they closely approach your plants and reward them appropriately when they obey your command. Like cats, dogs are sensitive to cayenne pepper and citrus scents, too.Again, it’s always prudent to understand your plants individual needs. While ferns will love you for providing them consistent moisture all throughout the year, other plants are not so appreciative. Overwatering during any season can be fatal, especially during the winter when indoor flora prefer to dry out between watering.houseplant2 If thinking in terms of a spectrum helps, consider ferns on one side with cactus and succulents all the way (miles and miles away) on the opposite end of that spectrum. Adopt the habit of checking the root zones of plants (and not just the soil surface) for water needs. Get a feel of your houseplants’ weights when just watered versus dry and, of course, there are plenty of books and online resources if you need to research a specific plant’s requirements.First, it’s important to understand individual plant needs. houseplantHouseplants enjoy lower light intensities than most other plants and by definition are tropical plants; their native homes are deeply shaded rainforests. Move them around until you find that sweet spot of light if you need to. Just this past year I’ve had to experiment with different placements for an asparagus fern and its good buddy, a pothos vine. At first, I had both plants in the bathroom, but I soon discovered they needed just a bit more sunlight than was being offered in that vicinity. Next stop was my office. This new location also involved a larger friend group: a jade plant, rabbit foot fern, and a rex begonia.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.Many avid gardeners, in the spirit of perpetually nurturing plant life and getting dirt beneath their fingernails, will focus their attention more acutely on that of houseplants during the winter months. This can involve the transformation of one’s living space into an outright floor-to-ceiling jungle. At my household, this is most certainly the case, since not only do I have an obsession with chlorophyll-driven organisms, but so does my spouse. We have our mainstay houseplants: rex begonias, air plants, majesty palm, peace lily and several mother-in-law tongues, orchids, and terrarium projects. From the deck we have recently brought in for the winter the ferns, the passionflowers vines, the kokedamas we made in the early summer, and the jasmine bonsai. We also brought in a few plants that are likely dead from the looks of it, but where there is light and carbon dioxide, there is hope…right? I would be remiss not to mention the propagation stations we are operating in various sunny nooks around the house, future full-sized Christmas cactus, coleus, and begonias rooting in small water-filled bud vases. While your home may involve a few more or less houseplants than mine, there are a few basic factors to take into consideration when caring for your plants. Below are the biggest things to consider in helping your houseplants live their best lives.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.Wills Perennial Garden
Cortaderia selloana‘Pumila’ (Ivory Feathers®) / Pampas Grass

A dwarf form of pampas grass with creamy white flowers, the plumes of ‘Pumila’ reach about 3-4’ above the evergreen foliage. The panicles of flowers first appear in August and they remain not only intact, but very attractive throughout much of the winter. This dwarf form is perfect for small spaces and, of all available cultivars, this is one of the most floriferous. This tough ornamental grass is easy to grow and maintain.Petite Swan Lawn
Picea abies‘Pumila Nigra’ / Dwarf Norway Spruce

This dwarf Norway Spruce is of unknown origin, but it can be traced back to the late 1800’s when it was first documented in large collections and arboretums. The needles are darker than those of the species, hence the name ‘Pumila Nigra’. Ruby-red colored female flowers can be seen spreading on the crowns of the tree in May. Moderately moist, well-drained soil is the best condition for a happy Picea. They do prefer colder climates (hardiness zone of 2-7) and full sun is much appreciated. Though a small amount of shade is tolerated, it will become very thin and raggedy in too much shade.

This cultivar is the perfect addition to rock gardens, fairy-themed gardens, and front borders. It will grow to an average of 3-4 feet wide and high and is deer resistant.Turner Season’s Garden: Fall section
Acer palmatum ‘Willow Leaf’/ Japanese Maple

With a similar branching habit to that of flowering dogwood, Japanese maples can present a similar attractively layered architecture. Grown as either a tree or shrub according to personal preference, more of its ornamental attributes can be seen when grown as a shrub. A very versatile plant, Acer palmatumcan be used as a shrub border, container element, specimen planting, and bonsai. With bright orange-red leaves that turn deep purple-red in summer, ‘Willow Leaf’ is perfectly placed among the beautyberries in the Fall section of Turner Seasons Garden. The upright, rounded, small tree can grow up to 8′ tall with semi-pendulous branches.In closing, I’d like to ease any worried minds by saying if you have at least an inkling of intuition or any observational skills at all, your houseplants will be fine. First, start off with not forgetting about them. Follow up by taking a close look at each one, getting to know the signs of health versus signs of distress. And lastly, have fun! Curating your home with houseplants can bring so much joy, not to mention all the health benefits related to air quality and mental well-being, which is a whole other article entirely.Temperature is a factor often overlooked during the winter. Because we humans are not necessarily standing by drafty windows all day (and night) long and most of us have the advantage of being mobile, therefore creating heat, it’s easy to neglect this aspect for plants. Most houseplants like the thermostat set to 65 – 75 F for daytime temps, and about 10 degrees cooler during the night, not so different than our preferences. Practice extra caution for plants in colder climates. Avoid placing your plants too close to windows letting in a considerable amount of cold air or windows that frost overnight. Remembering to move them away each evening before dusk could be difficult but pulling down a shade or other type of insulation before sundown may be more manageable. Also, be aware of plants’ sensitivity to extreme heat. Plants in near proximity to fireplaces and other heat sources can become scorched and desiccated.Joining this larger group sitting upon my bookshelf not only provided a better light level and expanded social circle, but it also resulted in a higher humidity level, which is another important environmental factor within the scope of tropical plants. An easy fix for increasing air moisture as well as an attractive way to display plants, creating different groupings around the house can be a fun way to design with similar and/ or contrasting textures, colors and leaf sizes. Lisa Eldred Steinkopf, a self-proclaimed houseplant-a-holic, suggests another method to2. H maintain a happy humidity level. Take the saucers or trays used to hold your houseplants, add pebbles and water to the trays, and then place the potted houseplants back on top of the tray. She is a wealth of knowledge on anything concerning indoor plants and can be found at http://www.thehouseplantguru.com. Lastly, keep in mind that when a plant is exposed to more humidity, it will need less water.

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‘Tis the Season for Engagements

Have you found the light of your life? Engagement season is right around the corner, and we have prepared the perfect package to light up their world with a magical holiday proposal at Cheekwood. We are excited to offer two packages this season which both include two tickets to Holiday LIGHTS, two Cheekwood branded champagne flutes, a mini-bottle of champagne, and a Cheekwood annual membership. Thanks to Bright Event Productions, we have a romantic illuminated setting waiting for you to propose to the love of your life. We handle the behind-the-scenes details; all you have to do is lead your partner to the perfect spot! Raise a toast underneath a romantic covering of string lights next to our private Swan Lawn as you overlook the glimmering skyline of downtown Nashville. A holiday proposal among the twinkling of one million lights will guarantee a “yes”!

Make this moment unforgettable by purchasing our package that includes a photo session. We have the picture-perfect backdrop for your photographer to capture your special moment! Our $500 package* includes a photo session on property that can be used at the time of the proposal or at a later date. If you’d rather keep the moment more intimate, we have a package available without a photo session for $250.

When you think yes, think Cheekwood.

To book, contact [email protected] or call 615-354-6377.

*Photographer not includedReflecting 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.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.Wills Perennial Garden
Cortaderia selloana‘Pumila’ (Ivory Feathers®) / Pampas Grass

A dwarf form of pampas grass with creamy white flowers, the plumes of ‘Pumila’ reach about 3-4’ above the evergreen foliage. The panicles of flowers first appear in August and they remain not only intact, but very attractive throughout much of the winter. This dwarf form is perfect for small spaces and, of all available cultivars, this is one of the most floriferous. This tough ornamental grass is easy to grow and maintain.Petite Swan Lawn
Picea abies‘Pumila Nigra’ / Dwarf Norway Spruce

This dwarf Norway Spruce is of unknown origin, but it can be traced back to the late 1800’s when it was first documented in large collections and arboretums. The needles are darker than those of the species, hence the name ‘Pumila Nigra’. Ruby-red colored female flowers can be seen spreading on the crowns of the tree in May. Moderately moist, well-drained soil is the best condition for a happy Picea. They do prefer colder climates (hardiness zone of 2-7) and full sun is much appreciated. Though a small amount of shade is tolerated, it will become very thin and raggedy in too much shade.

This cultivar is the perfect addition to rock gardens, fairy-themed gardens, and front borders. It will grow to an average of 3-4 feet wide and high and is deer resistant.Turner Season’s Garden: Fall section
Acer palmatum ‘Willow Leaf’/ Japanese Maple

With a similar branching habit to that of flowering dogwood, Japanese maples can present a similar attractively layered architecture. Grown as either a tree or shrub according to personal preference, more of its ornamental attributes can be seen when grown as a shrub. A very versatile plant, Acer palmatumcan be used as a shrub border, container element, specimen planting, and bonsai. With bright orange-red leaves that turn deep purple-red in summer, ‘Willow Leaf’ is perfectly placed among the beautyberries in the Fall section of Turner Seasons Garden. The upright, rounded, small tree can grow up to 8′ tall with semi-pendulous branches.Howe Garden
Ilex verticillata ‘Golden Verboom’/ 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, Ilex verticillata.‘Golden Vebroom’ was created for the cut branch industry, originates from Verboom Nursery in Holland, and features yellow fruit that can persist until December or January, depending on the whether it is on the local (and migratory) birds’ radar.


Ilex verticillata 
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 as a mass among red fruit varieties of the same. Full sun to part shade is the recommended sun exposure, though it well set more fruit when given more sun. It appreciates acidic soil and it is open to a variety of soil tilths. It is crucial to plant at least 2 winterberries for pollination to take effect.Carell Dogwood Garden
Amsonia hubrichtii/ Arkansas Amsonia

Located in the Carell Dogwood Garden on the walk over toward the Burr, Arkansas Amsonia is a defining fall foliage flavor known well here at Cheekwood. Golden yellow shades with orange undertones can be appreciated from up close but also from a distance. It tends to flop over by this time of year, however, a good remedy for this is to cut the plant back by half after it’s finished blooming in April or May. Its flowers are subtle, light blue, almost white in warmer climates, but not a cause for too much excitement. A. hubrichtiioffers a wonderful textural contribution to garden beds and is especially beneficial when used along with broadleaf perennials and trees to break up monotony in shape.

Photo courtesy of John Ruter, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org. 
Burr Terrace Garden
Chrysanthemum x rubellum ‘Clara Curtis’/ Perennial Mum

As many of us are, ‘Clara Curtis’ is also known as ‘Country Girl’. This is a cultivar that has been on the market for many decades now, due to its reliable nature. With single, pink ray flowers encircling yellow centers, ‘Clara Curtis’ can reach a height or 2 feet tall. Hardy in climates as low as zone 5, the key to survival and highest garden potential for this plant is well-drained soil, consistent deadheading, and full sun. To avoid leggy plants, cut back by half in June. This will accomplish a more compact and attractive habit.

First cultivated as an herb in China during the 15thcentury, symbolism related to the Chrysanthemum abounds throughout many cultures (as one might expect of a plant with such a long history) ranging from optimism and joy to grief. It is also the November birth flower and the official flower of Chicago. Mums are short-day plants (like Poinsettias), meaning that they require long days for vegetative growth and short days for flowering, which aptly explains their fall bloom time.Shōmu-en
Japanese Garden & Reflection Pool
Ginkgo biloba/ Maidenhair Tree

Pure Autumn Royalty- Ginkgo biloba is a magnificent tree any time of the year, but during the month of November in Nashville, TN, it truly is a sight to behold. Cheekwood represents this tree well throughout the grounds; one of the best is showcased within the Shōmu-en Japanese Garden. Another, a female, is growing near the Reflection Pool in the Martin Boxwood Gardens. The ginkgo’s fan shaped leaves, attractive ridge-y bark, pyramidal growth habit, and ability to withstand a wide scope of growing conditions (including confined spaces), make the tree extremely popular and beloved by many.

One of the world’s oldest living trees- 165 million years old on Planet Earth(!), it is a gymnosperm, just like conifers. Gymnosperm literally means “naked seed”, therefore the fruit of the ginkgo is not enclosed within an ovary structure. When adding a ginkgo to any landscape design, one would be prudent to select a male, if possible. It is not easy to discern the gender until it’s quite mature (20-50 years). The seeds produced by female trees emits a universally unpleasant odor. Perhaps the coolest fact about this tree is that the ginkgo can live to be 3,000 years old.

Photo courtesy of Rebekah D. Wallace, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
Bradford Robertson Color Garden
Viburnum dilatatum ‘Asian Beauty’/ Linden Viburnum

Native to lowlands, foothills and woodland edges of China, Japan and Korea, Linden Viburnum displays outstanding landscape value, including interest spanning all 4 seasons. Currently in full fruit at Cheekwood, the berries of this shrub are fantastic: cherry red and abundant. The shrubs can be seen on the walk from the Color Garden down to the Shōmu-enJapanese Garden. ‘Asian Beauty’ is, in fact, one of the best cultivars for fruit production; its berries will persist well into the winter months. The leaves, which look similar in shape to the Linden (Tilia) tree are now transitioning from a verdant green into russet reds, yellows, and oranges.  In late spring, the precursor to these bright and cheerful berries are white, soft clusters of inflorescences.

A Don Shadow introduction, ‘Asian Beauty’ possesses an upright habit and strong vigor. It can reach an ultimate height of 10 feet and makes an excellent screen or garden border. For the best fruit production, plant 2 or more of this species near one another. Birds are huge fans of the fruits.Herb Study Garden: Culinary Bed
Tagetes lucida/ Mexican Tarragon

Mexican tarragon produces abundant orange-yellow, single, marigold-like blooms from October through November and can be found in the culinary bed of the Herb Study Garden here at Cheekwood. Tarragon is, in fact, a relative of the common garden marigold, though differing in size of flowers, the number of flowers produced, and the number of petals on each flower. Tagetes prefers full sun, but it can withstand partial shade. More importantly, well-drained soil is a must.

A low maintenance herb, tarragon is substantially drought tolerant, though it will reach a fuller bloom if kept moist. Plants will spread very easily, by stems, if they touch the ground. Mexican tarragon is a wonderful plant to attract butterflies, bees, and birds to your garden. Culinarily speaking, Mexican tarragon is used to add savory elements to meat and egg dishes. Most likely originating from Guatemala, its medicinal use is far more extensive within the Mexican culture. Beginning with the Aztecs, the herb’s flowers have been used in the treatment of colds, fevers, and intestinal issues.

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November Featured Plant List

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.Fall is the perfect time to check out all the color in the gardens! The Cheekwood garden team has hand selected their top plant picks for November 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.Wills Perennial Garden
Cortaderia selloana‘Pumila’ (Ivory Feathers®) / Pampas Grass

A dwarf form of pampas grass with creamy white flowers, the plumes of ‘Pumila’ reach about 3-4’ above the evergreen foliage. The panicles of flowers first appear in August and they remain not only intact, but very attractive throughout much of the winter. This dwarf form is perfect for small spaces and, of all available cultivars, this is one of the most floriferous. This tough ornamental grass is easy to grow and maintain.Petite Swan Lawn
Picea abies‘Pumila Nigra’ / Dwarf Norway Spruce

This dwarf Norway Spruce is of unknown origin, but it can be traced back to the late 1800’s when it was first documented in large collections and arboretums. The needles are darker than those of the species, hence the name ‘Pumila Nigra’. Ruby-red colored female flowers can be seen spreading on the crowns of the tree in May. Moderately moist, well-drained soil is the best condition for a happy Picea. They do prefer colder climates (hardiness zone of 2-7) and full sun is much appreciated. Though a small amount of shade is tolerated, it will become very thin and raggedy in too much shade.

This cultivar is the perfect addition to rock gardens, fairy-themed gardens, and front borders. It will grow to an average of 3-4 feet wide and high and is deer resistant.Turner Season’s Garden: Fall section
Acer palmatum ‘Willow Leaf’/ Japanese Maple

With a similar branching habit to that of flowering dogwood, Japanese maples can present a similar attractively layered architecture. Grown as either a tree or shrub according to personal preference, more of its ornamental attributes can be seen when grown as a shrub. A very versatile plant, Acer palmatumcan be used as a shrub border, container element, specimen planting, and bonsai. With bright orange-red leaves that turn deep purple-red in summer, ‘Willow Leaf’ is perfectly placed among the beautyberries in the Fall section of Turner Seasons Garden. The upright, rounded, small tree can grow up to 8′ tall with semi-pendulous branches.Howe Garden
Ilex verticillata ‘Golden Verboom’/ 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, Ilex verticillata.‘Golden Vebroom’ was created for the cut branch industry, originates from Verboom Nursery in Holland, and features yellow fruit that can persist until December or January, depending on the whether it is on the local (and migratory) birds’ radar.


Ilex verticillata 
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 as a mass among red fruit varieties of the same. Full sun to part shade is the recommended sun exposure, though it well set more fruit when given more sun. It appreciates acidic soil and it is open to a variety of soil tilths. It is crucial to plant at least 2 winterberries for pollination to take effect.Carell Dogwood Garden
Amsonia hubrichtii/ Arkansas Amsonia

Located in the Carell Dogwood Garden on the walk over toward the Burr, Arkansas Amsonia is a defining fall foliage flavor known well here at Cheekwood. Golden yellow shades with orange undertones can be appreciated from up close but also from a distance. It tends to flop over by this time of year, however, a good remedy for this is to cut the plant back by half after it’s finished blooming in April or May. Its flowers are subtle, light blue, almost white in warmer climates, but not a cause for too much excitement. A. hubrichtiioffers a wonderful textural contribution to garden beds and is especially beneficial when used along with broadleaf perennials and trees to break up monotony in shape.

Photo courtesy of John Ruter, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org. 
Burr Terrace Garden
Chrysanthemum x rubellum ‘Clara Curtis’/ Perennial Mum

As many of us are, ‘Clara Curtis’ is also known as ‘Country Girl’. This is a cultivar that has been on the market for many decades now, due to its reliable nature. With single, pink ray flowers encircling yellow centers, ‘Clara Curtis’ can reach a height or 2 feet tall. Hardy in climates as low as zone 5, the key to survival and highest garden potential for this plant is well-drained soil, consistent deadheading, and full sun. To avoid leggy plants, cut back by half in June. This will accomplish a more compact and attractive habit.

First cultivated as an herb in China during the 15thcentury, symbolism related to the Chrysanthemum abounds throughout many cultures (as one might expect of a plant with such a long history) ranging from optimism and joy to grief. It is also the November birth flower and the official flower of Chicago. Mums are short-day plants (like Poinsettias), meaning that they require long days for vegetative growth and short days for flowering, which aptly explains their fall bloom time.Shōmu-en
Japanese Garden & Reflection Pool
Ginkgo biloba/ Maidenhair Tree

Pure Autumn Royalty- Ginkgo biloba is a magnificent tree any time of the year, but during the month of November in Nashville, TN, it truly is a sight to behold. Cheekwood represents this tree well throughout the grounds; one of the best is showcased within the Shōmu-en Japanese Garden. Another, a female, is growing near the Reflection Pool in the Martin Boxwood Gardens. The ginkgo’s fan shaped leaves, attractive ridge-y bark, pyramidal growth habit, and ability to withstand a wide scope of growing conditions (including confined spaces), make the tree extremely popular and beloved by many.

One of the world’s oldest living trees- 165 million years old on Planet Earth(!), it is a gymnosperm, just like conifers. Gymnosperm literally means “naked seed”, therefore the fruit of the ginkgo is not enclosed within an ovary structure. When adding a ginkgo to any landscape design, one would be prudent to select a male, if possible. It is not easy to discern the gender until it’s quite mature (20-50 years). The seeds produced by female trees emits a universally unpleasant odor. Perhaps the coolest fact about this tree is that the ginkgo can live to be 3,000 years old.

Photo courtesy of Rebekah D. Wallace, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
Bradford Robertson Color Garden
Viburnum dilatatum ‘Asian Beauty’/ Linden Viburnum

Native to lowlands, foothills and woodland edges of China, Japan and Korea, Linden Viburnum displays outstanding landscape value, including interest spanning all 4 seasons. Currently in full fruit at Cheekwood, the berries of this shrub are fantastic: cherry red and abundant. The shrubs can be seen on the walk from the Color Garden down to the Shōmu-enJapanese Garden. ‘Asian Beauty’ is, in fact, one of the best cultivars for fruit production; its berries will persist well into the winter months. The leaves, which look similar in shape to the Linden (Tilia) tree are now transitioning from a verdant green into russet reds, yellows, and oranges.  In late spring, the precursor to these bright and cheerful berries are white, soft clusters of inflorescences.

A Don Shadow introduction, ‘Asian Beauty’ possesses an upright habit and strong vigor. It can reach an ultimate height of 10 feet and makes an excellent screen or garden border. For the best fruit production, plant 2 or more of this species near one another. Birds are huge fans of the fruits.Herb Study Garden: Culinary Bed
Tagetes lucida/ Mexican Tarragon

Mexican tarragon produces abundant orange-yellow, single, marigold-like blooms from October through November and can be found in the culinary bed of the Herb Study Garden here at Cheekwood. Tarragon is, in fact, a relative of the common garden marigold, though differing in size of flowers, the number of flowers produced, and the number of petals on each flower. Tagetes prefers full sun, but it can withstand partial shade. More importantly, well-drained soil is a must.

A low maintenance herb, tarragon is substantially drought tolerant, though it will reach a fuller bloom if kept moist. Plants will spread very easily, by stems, if they touch the ground. Mexican tarragon is a wonderful plant to attract butterflies, bees, and birds to your garden. Culinarily speaking, Mexican tarragon is used to add savory elements to meat and egg dishes. Most likely originating from Guatemala, its medicinal use is far more extensive within the Mexican culture. Beginning with the Aztecs, the herb’s flowers have been used in the treatment of colds, fevers, and intestinal issues.

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