Gardeners’ Top Picks April 2020
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.
Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida ‘Autumn Gold’)
Bloom Time: April – May
Sun Requirement: Part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Birds & butterflies
Tolerates: Deer & clay soil
Native to North America: Yes
Other: Birds love the berries that follow flowering.
Zones: 5 – 9
Location: Carell Dogwood Garden
Bloody Cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum ‘Max Frei’)
Bloom Time: April – May
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Butterflies
Tolerates: Rabbits, deer & clay soil
Native to North America: No
Other: Great plant for rock gardens.
Zones: 3 – 8
Location: Carell Dogwood Garden
Geum (Geum ‘Tim’s Tangerine’)
Bloom Time: April – May
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Bees
Tolerates: Deer
Native to North America: No
Other: Will bloom in spring and again in fall.
Zones: 5 – 7
Location: Turner Seasons Garden
Bearded Iris (Iris ‘Beverly Sills’)
Bloom Time: April – May
Sun Requirement: Full sun
Water Requirement: Medium
Tolerates: Deer & drought
Native to North America: No
Other: Dykes Medal award winner
Zones: 3 – 9
Location: Wills Perennial Garden
Dwarf Crested Iris (Iris cristata)
Bloom Time: April – May
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Bees & hummingbirds
Tolerates: Deer & drought
Native to North America: Yes
Other: Can create a spectacularly vibrant early spring groundcover.
Zones: 3 – 9
Location: Howe Garden
Manchurian Lilac (Syringa pubescens subsp. patula ‘Miss Kim’)
Bloom Time: April – May
Sun Requirement: Full sun
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Butterflies & hummingbirds
Tolerates: Deer
Native to North America: No
Other: Lilacs are extremely fragrant. This cultivar is mildew resistant.
Zones: 3 – 8
Location: Frist Learning Center: Rock Wall
Japanese Kerria (Kerria japonica ‘Pleniflora’)
Bloom Time: April – May
Sun Requirement: Part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Bees
Tolerates: Deer & heavy shade
Native to North America: No
Other: Excellent as either a specimen or a hedge planting.
Zones: 4 – 9
Location: Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden
Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum ‘Sunshine Blue’)
Bloom Time: April
Sun Requirement: Full sun
Water Requirement: Medium – wet
Wildlife: Birds & butterflies
Tolerates: High pH soils
Native to North America: Yes
Other: Best usage is as an ornamental plant. Does not have a high fruit production.
Zones: 6 – 10
Location: Herb Study Garden
