With over 150,000 blooming bulbs in our gardens, there’s plenty to see this spring during Cheekwood in Bloom! Cheekwood’s Plant Collections Manager, Shanna Jones, shares her top plant picks for March. Use this as your guide as you explore the grounds!
Grecian Windflower (Anemone blanda)
Bloom Time: March – April
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Deer
Tolerates: Average garden soils
Native to North America: No
Other: Naturalizes well. Enters dormancy after flowering.
Zones: 5 – 8
Location: Fern Garden
Buttercup Winterhazel (Corylopsis pauciflora)
Bloom Time: March – April
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Bees
Tolerates: Average garden soils
Native to North America: No
Other: Delicate in color and form, the flower is also fragrant.
Zones: 6 – 8
Location: Turner Seasons Garden
Twig Dogwoods (Cornus sericea ‘Flaviramea’ & Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’)
Bloom Time: May – June
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Birds, butterflies
Tolerates: Deer
Native to North America: No
Other: Excellent winter interest. Thin to prune in late winter or early spring while still dormant to intensify overall color.
Zones: 4 – 8
Location: Carell Dogwood Garden
Pig-squeak / Heart-leaf Bergenia (Bergenia cordifolia ‘Pink Dragonfly’)
Bloom Time: April – May
Sun Requirement: Part shade – full sun
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Bees
Tolerates: Deer, drought, & rabbit
Native to North America: No
Other: Groundcover. Excellent winter color.
Zones: 4 – 8
Location: Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden
Pieris (Pieris japonica ‘Mountain Fire’)
Bloom Time: March
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Bees
Tolerates: Deer & heavy shade
Native to North America: No
Other: Evergreen. ‘Mountain Fire’ is a heavy flower producer with fiery red emerging foliage.
Zones: 5 – 8
Location: Blevins Japanese Garden
Evergreen Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens)
Bloom Time: April – May
Sun Requirement: Full sun
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Butterflies
Tolerates: Deer, drought, & rabbits
Native to North America: No
Other: Wonderful selection for rock gardens and garden edges. Benefits from snow cover which helps with desiccation.
Zones: 3 – 8
Location: Wills Perennial Garden
Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata)
Bloom Time: March
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Tolerates: Clay Soil
Native to North America: No
Other: The flowers are often affected by late spring frosts. To lessen the risk of frost damage, plant in a sheltered location.
Zones: 4 – 8
Location: Turner Seasons Garden, Wills Perennial Garden, & Herb Study Garden
Spring Starflower (Ipheion uniflorum)
Bloom Time: April
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Tolerates: Clay Soil
Native to North America: No
Other: An easy bulb to grow – great for the beginning gardener! When crushed, the foliage smells like onions.
Zones: 3 – 8
Location: Wills Perennial Garden
Cornelain Cherry (Cornus mas)
Bloom Time: March
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Birds love the fruit
Tolerates: Deer & clay Soil
Native to North America: No
Other: Prefers well-drained, moist, nutrient-rich soils. Strong resistance to dogwood borer and anthracnose.
Zones: 4 – 8
Location: Carell Dogwood Garden & Turner Seasons Garden
