Gardeners' Top Picks May 2019 - Cheekwood
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Japanese Painted Fern(
Athyrium niponicum var. pictum)

Japanese Painted Fern

Sun Requirement: Part shade – full shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Tolerates: Rabbits, heavy shade

Native to North America: No

Other: Colorful foliage brightens up dark, shady areas

Location: Fern Garden

Spiderwort(
Tradescantia virginiana)

Spiderwort

Bloom Time: April – July

Sun Requirement: Full sun – part Shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Bees, butterflies

Tolerates: Wet soil

Native to North America: Yes

Other: Showy blue flowers

Location: Wills Perennial Garden

Carolina Allspice(
Calycanthus raulstonii ‘Hartlage Wine’)

Carolina Allspice

Bloom Time: March – April

Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Bees, butterflies, birds

Tolerates: Deer, clay soil

Native to North America: Yes

Other: Fragrant, low maintenance and easy naturalizer

Location: Burr Garden

Black Tupelo(
Nyssa sylvatica ‘Wildfire’)

Black Tupelo

Sun Requirement: Part shade – full shade

Water Requirement: Medium – Wet

Wildlife: Birds

Tolerates: Wet soil

Native to North America: Yes

Other: Very showy foliage color; Great for rain gardens

Location: Howe Garden

Siberian Iris(
Iris sibirica)

Siberian Iris

Bloom Time: April – May

Sun Requirement: Part shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Butterflies

Tolerates: Rabbits, deer, drought

Native to North America: No

Other: Not susceptible to bacterial soft rot, perfect for rain gardens

Location: Shōmo-en Japanese Garden: Roji

Avens(
Geum ‘Tim’s Tangerine’ )

Avens

Bloom Time: May – September

Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Bees and butterflies

Tolerates: Deer

Native to North America: No

Other: Will bloom until fall with consistent deadheading

Location: Turner Seasons Garden

Coastal Doghobble(
Leucothoe axillaris ‘Squazam’)

Coastal Doghobble

Bloom Time: April – May

Sun Requirement: Part shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Bees and butterflies

Tolerates: Deer

Native to North America: Yes

Other: Fragrant blooms, great for underplanting bigger shrubs

Location: Dogwood Garden

Pinks(
Dianthus)

Pinks

Bloom Time: April – July

Sun Requirement: Full Sun

Water Requirement: Medium

Tolerates: Deer

Native to North America: No

Other: Fragrant blooms, perfect for rock gardens

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.We’re gearing up for summer, and so are our gardens! Our garden team has hand selected their top plant picks for May from 8 of our distinct gardens. Use this as your guide as you explore the grounds.

Hyacinth ‘Delt Blue’

Anemone blanda

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)

Pussy Willow

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

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