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
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
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
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
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
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
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)
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 GardenReflecting 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.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.
Hyacinth ‘Delt Blue’
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Tolerates: Deer and rabbits
Other: Extremely fragrant, award-winning cultivar. An heirloom type (since 1944) true blue flowers, does well in the ground and also containers.
Location: Mansion front lawn (upper stream)
Pussy Willow (Salix caprea)
Bloom Time: March – April
Sun Requirement: Full sun
Water Requirement: Medium – wet
Wildlife: Bees
Tolerates: Deer
Native to North America: No
Other: Male plants showcase the attractive, yellow late winter catkins
Location: Lower Stream/Weaver Walk