Bradford Robertson Color Garden
Most likely the first garden that guests see as their Cheekwood adventure begins, the intent of the Bradford Robertson Color Garden is to celebrate the current season in the most beautiful and welcoming way possible. Adjacent to Botanic Hall, this showcase garden is the centerpiece of the estate’s seasonal displays planted against a backdrop of yew hedges, a historic red cedar, mature crepe myrtles, and numerous perennials of interest. A great deal of creativity, planning, and growing goes into the exciting and unique plantings that the diligent and talented Gardens Team speedily executes four times a year.
Cheekwood is renowned in the midsouth region for its annual spring bulb display when tulips take centerstage, numbering at least 100,000 of 30 different varieties throughout the property. The Color Garden’s summer display extends over four months, often presenting show-stopping tropical plants in addition to the most current trends in horticulture and garden design. In the fall, late season annuals, mums, and a variety of pumpkins in unique shapes and sizes provide the perfect setting for the Harvest festival. In the winter, though plant displays may be limited to flora such as pansies and ornamental kale, HOLIDAY LIGHTS gives the space a festive liveliness. Whether a spring sea of candy-toned tulips or autumn-colored mums that greet guests upon arrival, the Color Garden is always an unforgettable experience.
The Color Garden’s circular path leads guests through a tunnel of verdant arches planted with trumpet vine, wisteria and other climbers. This lovely transition opens to the Arches Plaza, an ideal place to pause, reflect, and enjoy beautifully crafted container designs. From here, they may choose to visit the Blevins Japanese Garden to the right, or venture left for a short hike through the Carell Family Sculpture Trail.
Naud Burnett, a landscape architect of Dallas, Texas, designed the treasured Bradford Robertson Color Garden, which was installed in 1998. Burnett is also responsible for the Margaret Elizabeth Jonsson Color Garden located at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Both sites feature an abundance of spring and summer flowering trees and shrubs, walking paths that allow closer inspection of plant material, as well as seating areas to encourage rest, reflection, and conversation. The Color Garden at Cheekwood was established in honor of Eva Jo Robertson, a lifelong gardener and supporter of Cheekwood, by her daughter Tooty Bradford.
