Gardeners' Top Picks March 2020
With over 150,000 blooming bulbs in our gardens, there’s plenty to see this spring during Cheekwood in Bloom! Our garden team has hand selected their top plant picks for March. Use this as your guide as you explore the grounds.
Quince (Chaenomeles hybrid)
Bloom Time: February – March
Sun Requirement: Full sun
Water Requirement: Medium
Tolerates: Drought
Native to North America: No
Other: The fruit is used to make jelly. Plant is best used as a hedge.
Zones: 5 – 9
Location: Carell Dogwood Garden
Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida ‘Autumn Gold’ (flower buds)
Bloom Time: April – June
Sun Requirement: Full sun
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Birds & Butterflies
Tolerates: Deer
Native to North America: Yes
Other: Great tree for small front yards or woodland areas.
Zones: 5 – 9
Location: Carell Dogwood Garden
Lenten Rose (Helleborus ‘Red Mountain’)
Bloom Time: January – April
Sun Requirement: Shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Tolerates: Deer & Heavy shade
Native to North America: No
Other: One of the best groundcovers for shady areas.
Zones: 4 – 9
Location: Fern Garden
Azalea (Rhododendron ‘Colonel Moseley’ (flower buds)
Bloom Time: April – May
Sun Requirement: Part Shade – Shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Butterflies
Tolerates: Rabbit
Native to North America: Yes
Other: Azaleas do not like wet feet. Beautiful presentation as a mass planting or hedge.
Zones: 6 – 9
Location: Howe Garden
Pussy Willow (Salix caprea)
Bloom Time: March – April
Sun Requirement: Full Sun – Part Shade
Water Requirement: Medium – Wet
Wildlife: Purple Emperor Butterfly
Tolerates: Deer & Wet Soil
Native to North America: No
Other: Great winter interest! Excellent specimen for rain gardens.
Zones: 4 – 8
Location: Robinson Family Water Garden
Paperbush (Edgeworthia chrysantha)
Bloom Time: February – March
Sun Requirement: Part Shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Bees
Tolerates: Some sun, if given enough water.
Native to North America: No
Other: Heavenly fragrance!!
Zones: 7 – 10
Location: Alcove of Botanic Hall
Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata)
Bloom Time: March – April
Sun Requirement: Full Sun – Part Shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Bees
Tolerates: Clay Soil
Native to North America: No
Other: Excellent specimen tree.
Zones: 4 – 9
Location: Petite Swan Lawn
Snowdrop (Galanthus sp.)
Bloom Time: March
Sun Requirement: Full Sun – Part Shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Tolerates: Deer
Native to North America: No
Other: Looks best when planted en masse.
Zones: 3 – 7
Location: Howe Garden