Gardeners’ Top Picks April 2019
Spring has sprung, and the gardens are in full bloom here at Cheekwood! Our garden team has hand selected their top plant picks for April from 8 of our distinct gardens. Use this as your guide as you explore the grounds.
Primrose (Primula vulgaris)
Bloom Time: March – April
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Butterflies
Tolerates: Some wet soil
Native to North America: No
Other: Great rock garden plant
Location: Herb Study Garden
False Rue Anemone (Enimion biternatum)
Bloom Time: March – April
Sun Requirement: Part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Tolerates: Cold temperatures
Native to North America: Yes
Other: Perfect for woodland gardens
Location: Dogwood Garden (Central Woodland)
The Rising Sun Redbud (Cercis canadensis ‘JN2’)
Bloom Time: April
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Butterflies
Tolerates: Deer
Native to North America: Yes
Other: Colorful foliage from spring – fall
Location: Beer Garden
Korean Spice Viburrnum (Viburnum carlesii)
Bloom Time: March – April
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Birds
Tolerates: Clay soils
Native to North America: No
Other: Fragrant flowers
Location: Turner Seasons Garden
Yoshino Cherry (Prunus x yedoensis)
Bloom Time: March – April
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Birds & butterflies
Tolerates: Heat & humidity
Native to North America: No
Other: Good shade tree; highly susceptible to disease & insects
Location: Shomo-en Japanese Garden
Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica)
Bloom Time: March – April
Sun Requirement: Part shade – full shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Tolerates: Rabbits
Native to North America: Yes
Other: Summer dormant, overplant with ferns
Location: Howe Garden
Chinese Fringe Flower (Loropetalum chinense ‘Rubrum’)
Bloom Time: March – April
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Bees
Tolerates: Heat & humidity
Native to North America: No
Other: Evergreen foliage; showy flower
Location: Burr Garden
Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens)
Bloom Time: April – May
Sun Requirement: Full Sun
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Butterflies
Tolerates: Deer
Native to North America: No
Other: Perfect for rock walls
Location: Wills Perennial Garen