Gardeners’ Top Picks March 2019
We’re already seeing a few spring blooms here at Cheekwood! Our garden team has hand selected their top plant picks for March from 9 of our distinct gardens. Use this as your guide as you explore the grounds.
Grecian Windflower (Anemone blanda)
Bloom Time: March – April
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Bees
Tolerates: Deer
Native to North America: No
Other: Naturalizes well. Goes dormant after flowering.
Location: Fern Garden
Paperbush (Edgeworthia chrysantha)
Bloom Time: February
Sun Requirement: Part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Bees
Tolerates: Full sun if given enough water
Native to North America: No
Other: Blooms are beautifully scented (similar to Daphne). The inner bark is used to make paper.
Location: Alcove of Visitor Services
Coral Bells (Heuchera ‘Caramel’)
Bloom Time: June – July
Sun Requirement: Part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Bees
Tolerates: Full sun if given enough water
Native to North America: Yes
Other: Colorful foliage all year round in Middle TN. Makes a great groundcover.
Location: Burr Garden
Stinking Hellebore (Helleborus foetidus)
Bloom Time: February – April
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Tolerates: Deer
Native to North America: Yes
Other: Showy, long-lasting blooms, evergreen foliage.
Location: Turner Seasons Garden: Spring
Lenten Rose (Helleborus orientalis)
Bloom Time: February – April
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Low – medium
Tolerates: Deer
Native to North America: No
Other: Showy, long-lasting blooms, evergreen foliage.
Location: Robinson Family Water Garden
Snowdrop (Galanthus sp.)
Bloom Time: February
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Tolerates: Deer
Native to North America: No
Other: Showy flower. Looks best planted en masse.
Location: Howe Garden
Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata)
Bloom Time: March – April
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Pollinated by bees
Tolerates: Clay soil
Native to North America: No
Other: Showy white flower. Makes a wonderful specimen tree.
Location: Petite Swan Lawn
Clove Currant (Ribes aureum var. villosum)
Bloom Time: March – April
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Birds, butterflies
Tolerates: Drought
Native to North America: Yes
Other: Spicily fragrant blooms, edible fruits, mildew resistant
Location: Wills Perennial Garden
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
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)