Top Plant Picks March 2022
With over 250,000 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.
Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
Bloom Time: March – April
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Butterflies and bees are attracted to the blooms. Cardinals, wild turkey, and deer will eat the bean pod’s seeds.
Tolerates: Deer
Native to North America: Yes
Zones: 4 – 8
Other: Best planted when still young. Heart-shaped leaves. In the pea family, Fabaceae.
Location: Bradford Robertson Color Garden, Howe Garden, The Carell Trail
Liverwort or Sharp-lobed Hepatica (Hepatica acutiloba or Anemone acutiloba)
Bloom Time: February – March
Sun Requirement: Dappled shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Early pollinators like bees and flies.
Tolerates: Acidic soils
Native to North America: Yes
Zones: 3 – 9
Other: This spring ephemeral has recently been classified under the genus, Anemone. Three sharply pointed lobes. Wonderful little plant for woodland gardens. Also can be seen in shades of pink, blue, and purple.
Location: Herb Study Garden
Saucer Magnolia (Magnolia Xsoulangeana ‘Lilliputian’)
Bloom Time: March – April
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Larval food source for the saddleback caterpillar.
Tolerates: Clay Soil
Native to North America: No
Zones: 5 – 8
Other: Fragrant flowers. Will grow to a height of 15 – 20 feet. Plant in northern exposure of your landscape to avoid bloom frost.
Location: Carell Dogwood Garden
Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica)
Bloom Time: March – April
Sun Requirement: Part shade – full shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Cross-pollinated by long-tongued bees.
Tolerates: Rabbit
Native to North America: Yes
Zones: 3 – 8
Other: Summer dormant. Be sure to plant in mass and along with ferns and other woodland perennials that do not go dormant during the growing season.
Location: Howe Garden
Weeping Higan Cherry (Prunus subhirtella ‘Pendula’)
Bloom Time: March – April
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Bees
Tolerates: Heat & winter cold
Native to North America: No
Zones: 4 – 8
Other: Has good disease resistance. Best flowering occurs in full sun.
Location: Blevins Japanese Garden
Spirea (Spiraea thunbergii ‘Ogon’)
Bloom Time: March – April
Sun Requirement: Full sun
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Bees & butterflies
Tolerates: Deer
Native to North America: No
Zones: 4 – 8
Other: “Ogon” traslates to “gold” in Japanese. Adds a light, feathery texture to the garden.
Location: Howe Garden
Leatherleaf Viburnum (Viburnum rhytidophyllum)
Bloom Time: March – April
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Butterflies
Tolerates: Heavy shade
Native to North America: No
Zones: 5 – 8
Other: Native to central & western China. Evergreen in the South. Can be used as a hedge.
Location: Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden
Wakerobin/Trillium (Trillium ssp.)
Bloom Time: March – April
Sun Requirement: Part shade – full shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Bees and other pollinating insects enjoy the nectar. Moths use this plant as a larval host. Small mammals enjoy the berries as a food source.
Tolerates: Heavy shade
Native to North America: Yes
Zones: Various, depending on species
Other: The darling of spring ephemerals. About 45 different species! Native to both North America & East Asia.
Location: Howe Garden, Carell Dogwood Garden, The Carell Trail
