Top Plant Picks April 2022
Spring has sprung, and our gardens are in full bloom here at Cheekwood! Cheekwood’s Plant Collections Manager, Shanna Jones, shares her top plant picks for April.
Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)
Bloom Time: April – May
Sun Requirement: Part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Birds & butterflies
Tolerates: Deer & clay soil
Native to North America: Yes
Zones: 5 – 9
Other: Grows to a height of 15 to 25 feet tall.
Location: Carell Dogwood Garden
Bearded Iris (Iris ‘Natchez’)
Bloom Time: April – May
Sun Requirement: Full sun
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Bees
Tolerates: Drought, once established
Native to North America: No
Zones: 4 – 8
Other: Bred by iris hybridizer, Jesse Wills, for whom the Wills Perennial Garden is named for.
Location: Wills Perennial Garden
Doublefile Viburnum (Viburnum plicatum var. tomentosum ‘Mariesii’)
Bloom Time: April – May
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Bees, birds, & butterflies
Tolerates: Full sun, if roots are kept moist
Native to North America: No
Zones: 5 – 8
Other: Native to China & Japan. Multi-seasonal interest.
Location: Weaver Walk
Jacob’s Ladder (Polemonium caeruleum)
Bloom Time: April – May
Sun Requirement: Part shade – full shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Bees, flies, beetles, and butterflies
Tolerates: Deer
Native to North America: No
Zones: 4 – 8
Other: Clump-forming perennial. Polemonium caeruleum is intolerant of heat and humidity.
Location: Carell Dogwood Garden
Black Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica ‘Wildfire’)
Bloom Time: May – June
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium – wet
Wildlife: Bees visit flowers for nectar. Birds enjoy the fruit.
Tolerates: Clay soil
Native to North America: Yes
Zones: 3 – 9
Other: A lowland species. Amazing color on new leaves in spring as well as in the fall
Location: Howe Garden
Native Azalea (Rhododendon ‘Knap Hll’)
Bloom Time: April – May
Sun Requirement: Part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Provides nectar for bees, hummingbirds, & butterflies.
Tolerates: Rabbits; can also tolerate more sun exposure in northern climates
Native to North America: Yes
Zones: 5 – 8
Other: Slightly fragrant
Location: Weaver Walk
Bellwort (Uvularia perfoliata)
Bloom Time: April – May
Sun Requirement: Full shade
Water Requirement: Medium – wet
Wildlife: Bees
Tolerates: Cold temperatures
Native to North America: Yes
Zones: 4 – 8
Other: The leaves and young shoots are edible and taste similar to asparagus after being cooked.
Location: Howe Garden
Buckeye (Aesculus pavia)
Bloom Time: April – May
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Provides nectar for hummingbirds & butterflies; squirrels enjoy the nuts.
Tolerates: Clay soil
Native to North America: Yes
Zones: 4 – 8
Other: Hummingbirds will flock to the blooms!
Location: Carell Dogwood Garden
