Top Plant Picks January 2021
Kick off the new year by checking out a few of our featured plants! 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
