Top Plant Picks January 2021
Kick off the new year by checking out a few of our featured plants! Cheekwood’s Plant Collections Manager, Shanna Jones, shares her top plant picks for January. Use this as your guide as you explore the grounds!
Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum)
Bloom Time: April
Sun Requirement: Sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Birds
Tolerates: Clay Soil
Native to North America: No
Other: Wonderful small specimen tree for winter interest with attractive exfoliating bark.
Zones: 4 – 8
Location: Arboretum – Edge of Parking Lot B
Weeping Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria ‘Pendula’)
Bloom Time: April
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium – wet
Wildlife: Birds
Tolerates: Variety of soils
Native to North America: Yes
Other: Evergreen, weeping form. Must have a male plant nearby for female plants to set fruit. Fragrant flowers.
Zones: 7 – 9
Location: Sigourney Cheek Literary Garden
Hardy Anise Shrub (Illicium parviflorum ‘Florida Sunshine’)
Bloom Time: May – June
Sun Requirement: Part shade – shade
Water Requirement: Medium – wet
Tolerates: Deer, wet conditions
Native to North America: Yes
Other: For winter color interest, this is a winner! Leaves emit an aromatic fragrance when crushed.
Zones: 6 – 9
Location: Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden
Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)
Bloom Time: December – February
Sun Requirement: Full sun
Water Requirement: Dry – medium
Wildlife: Birds eat the berries
Tolerates: Deer, drought & erosion
Native to North America: Yes
Other: Wonderful native tree for evergreen screens and interest.
Zones: 2 – 9
Location: Robinson Water Garden / Ann and Monroe Carell Jr. Family Sculpture Trail
Braun’s Arborvitae Fern (Selaginella braunii)
Sun Requirement: Part sun – shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Tolerates: Deer & heavy shade
Native to North America: Yes
Other: This spikemoss is evergreen in Nashville and can act as a weed barrier. Adds interesting texture to the garden, resembling that of ocean coral.
Zones: 6 – 9
Location: Blevins Japanese Garden
Northern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)
Bloom Time: May
Sun Requirement: Part shade – full shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Birds. Black bears use large hollow trees for dens.
Tolerates: Heavy shade
Native to North America: Yes
Other: Attractive cones hang like ornaments. Mulch heavily in the winter months.
Zones: 3 – 7
Location: Arboretum – Lower Stream
Lantanaphyllum Viburnum (Viburnum x rhytidophyllum ‘Willowood’)
Bloom Time: April – May
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Birds & butterflies
Tolerates: Erosion
Native to North America: No
Other: Attractive fall and winter color of gold, peach, and oranges.
Zones: 5 – 8
Location: Between the Carell Dogwood Garden & the Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden
Johnny-Jump Up (Viola ‘Tiger Eye’)
Bloom Time: September – May
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Bees & butterflies
Tolerates: Cold weather
Native to North America: No
Other: A cool season annual, ‘Tiger Eye’ presents attractive markings and a pop of color.
Zones: 4 – 9
Location: Chihuly Installation – Scarlet and Yellow Icicle Tower
