Wills Perennial Garden
Rubus hayata-koidzumii (formerly, calycinoides) / Creeping Raspberry
One of the most outstanding groundcovers for coverage without being overly aggressive, R. hayata-koidzumii features unique, small, lobed foliage that is evergreen in zones 7-8, though it is not reliably evergreen in zone 6. If temperatures
drop to 0°F, the plant will certainly die back to the roots, going dormant until spring. Its growth habit is an interesting combination of matting and creeping, known to be more creeping in shadier sites. It does bloom, though the flowers are small and mostly hidden by the foliage are often overlooked. The fruit is an orange aggregate. Fall color for this groundcover is exceptional, consisting of burgundy and orange hues. See this Taiwanese native draping over the wall at the Wills Perennial Garden.Martin Boxwood Garden
Chamaecyparis nootkatensis ‘Pendula’ / Weeping Alaskan Cedar
Chamaecyparis nootkatensis is a native to the Pacific Northwest from Alaska to Northern California. ‘Pendula’ is a
graceful weeping pyramidal form with flattened sprays of aromatic foliage in blue-green tones. It looks absolutely stunning beyond the Reflection Pool, just before the steps up to the Petite Swan Lawn, providing a dramatic and stately focal point. Weeping Alaskan Cedar prefers full sun and well-drained soils, thriving in moisture-rich atmospheres. It is drought tolerant once established.Turner Season’s Garden: Winter Section
Ilex decidua ‘Warren’s Red’/ Possumhaw
Hardier than the species by at least one zone, Ilex decidua ‘Warren’s Red’ is known for its heavy and persistent, vibrant red fruit set. Along with its glossy, dark green foliage and silvery bark, this cultivar is by far the very best
selection to add to a landscape. Deciduous holly is native to the southeastern Unites States where it can be seen from river banks to open woodlands. Perfect for attracting birds (as well as deer and possums) it prefers acidic soil and can tolerate somewhat wet conditions, reaching an average height of 14 feet tall. Though great as a specimen plant, it is even more impressive when planted as a hedge or larger grouping. Installing at least on male I. deciduawithin a group will ensure pollination and therefore the best fruit set.Howe Garden
Andropogon glomeratus / Bushy Bluestem
Uniquely tolerant of wet soils (the genus is known for its extreme drought tolerance), this species is often preferred 
over other Andropogons due to its broom-like inflorescences and upright, tidy habit. In the late fall and winter, they are perhaps most attractive, the soft cloud-like seed heads sitting atop bronze-red foliage. They transform the Howe raingarden into something ethereal. If you are interested in adding this native plant to your landscape, be aware that it is a profuse re-seeder.Carell Dogwood Garden
Parrotia persica / Persian Parrotia
Persian Parrotia is a member of the witchhazel family and a rather exceptional specimen in full golden fall regalia can currently be seen in the Carrell Dogwood Garden. The bark of
this tree is also handsome, shades of gray, green, and brown, exfoliating in interesting shapes. P. persicamakes an excellent choice for a small ornamental lawn tree for a full sun site. With its small, clean habit and excellent resistance to pest and disease, Parottia also makes a perfect street tree. It will tolerate a small amount of shade as well as a wide variety of soil conditions. Nearly all horticultural sources state that this beautiful, multi-seasonal interest, and low maintenance tree is not planted enough!Burr Terrace Garden
Fothergilla gardenii ‘KLMTWO’ Beaver Creek®/ Dwarf Fothergilla
Fothergilla is an outstanding native with zigzag stems, rounded outline, attractive, honey-scented spring flowers, and bold fall color. When young, Beaver Creek® is nearly 
indistinguishable from the very popular cultivar, ‘Mt. Airy’, though its fall color involves more orange and red hues. With age, its habit becomes more compact than any other cultivar or the species.
Fothergilla is rarely, if ever, affected by disease or insect. Often used as a landscape accent (as seen in the Burr Garden) or in groupings, this small shrub is also effective for foundation plantings and as a native garden component.
Shōmu-en
Japanese Garden & Reflection Pool
Camellia sasanqua / Japanese Camellia
A smaller species than C. japonica, with a more rounded form, this camellia is native to China and Japan and 
features pubescent stems. Less cold hardy than C. japonica, its blooms persist from fall to early winter, and the tough, dark evergreen foliage is a welcomed sight when there is a shortage of green during the colder season. Being cold hardy to zone 7, it is likely to survive the winter fine here in Nashville. Though, if death by frost does concern you, be sure to plant in a protected area or in a container that can be brought indoors during the winter months. Overall, breeding efforts to increase cold hardiness in camellias has improved significantly over the last few years.Herb Study Garden
Hamamelis virginiana / Common Witchhazel
Currently, yellow fringe is displayed on the bare branches of this shrub as if someone just popped a cannon full of confetti. 
Meaning “together with fruit”, flowers, ripe fruit and next year’s leaf buds are all present on the Hamamelis branches at the same time. The flowers are unique and showy, even slightly citrus-scented. It is native to eastern North America and may be most well known for its role as an extract with antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. The interest extends throughout winter with the graceful architecture of its branches.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 are still plenty of beautiful plants that stand out during winter! The Cheekwood garden team has hand selected their top plant picks for December from 8 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.