About the Gardens
Herb Study Garden
The Herb Study Garden, installed in 1983, is devoted to the study and evaluation of herbal plants to determine those that can be successfully grown year-round in Middle Tennessee. This garden is a project of the Herb Society of Nashville, Unit of the Herb Society of America. The society is devoted to promoting the knowledge, use, and delight of herbs through educational programs, research and sharing the experience of its members with the community.
Carell Dogwood Garden
The Carell Dogwood Garden, dedicated in 1982, displays many selections of Cornus species planted under oaks and pines and is the centerpiece of Cheekwood’s Nationally Certified Collection® of Cornus. The garden displays many variations in branching patterns, bark, leaf, berry and the showy bracts characteristic of dogwoods. In the fall, burgundy foliage colors the garden in addition to the Tennessee hills. Hostas, astilbes, native ginger, daffodil, ferns, hydrangeas, and hellebores are planted at ground level.
Burr Terrace Garden
The Burr Terrace Garden, installed in 1972, is reminiscent of a garden in Padua, Italy, dating back to 1542, considered to be the oldest surviving botanical garden in the world. The Burr Garden is enclosed on three levels with colorful annual plantings, an armillary bed, and a fountain. The flowering season begins in early spring with blooming bulbs and contrasting violas. Summer presents a sea of color with summer phlox, purple coneflower, and vibrant summer annuals.
Herb Study Garden
The Herb Study Garden, installed in 1983, is devoted to the study and evaluation of herbal plants to determine those that can be successfully grown year-round in Middle Tennessee. This garden is a project of the Herb Society of Nashville, Unit of the Herb Society of America. The society is devoted to promoting the knowledge, use, and delight of herbs through educational programs, research and sharing the experience of its members with the community.
About Walk One
Walk One is the foundation for practicing mindful presence. Just like any other skill, presence is important to develop and grow through repetition.
Allow yourself at least 10 minutes before each walk to put these mindful steps into action. The steps are explored in these first four gardens of Walk One, and may seem specific to them; however, they can be crafted to each journey at Cheekwood.
To reach the Herb Study Garden continue down the path after checking in at the ticketing office. The entrance to the Herb Study Garden is to the right of the road, across from Botanic Hall.
Each stop on Walk One is marked by a green circle.
Before you begin:
Stand still and take a deep breath.
In and out.
Take note of how your body is feeling.
As you walk:
Bring attention to the movements and sensations in your body. Notice how your hips and shoulders move, your steps firm on the ground, how your chest rises and falls
Prompts
Each stop on Walk One is marked by a green circle on the path.
Stop One: Sights
Once you come to the first stop in the Herb Study Garden, open up your attention to the sights around you. What do you see? What movements catch your eye? The water bubbling from the fountain? The variation of color side-by-side, people passing, animals in the garden beds? Take a moment to look around you and note the interactions you see. This garden has an annual display bed which rotates seasonally; you may notice something new every time you visit. Allow yourself to think about these things. When you’re ready, begin walking towards the next stop on our journey.
Stop Two can be found along the Carell Dogwood Trail. From the first stop in the Herb Garden, make your way back to the main path and turn right.
Stop Two: Sounds
As you reach the Carell Dogwood Garden, shift your awareness to the sounds around you. What do you hear? Conversations, wind blowing, children playing, birds singing? Notice the things that are louder than the others. Now the quietest. Do the hellebores covering the ground between the trees muffle the sound of falling seeds? Take note and allow yourself to think on these things. When you’re ready, begin walking and continue your journey.
Stop Three can be found at the entrance to the Burr Terrace Garden. From the Carell Dogwood Garden, continue left down the path. The Burr Terrace Garden will be on your right, surrounded by stone walls.
Stop Three: Textures
In the Burr Terrace Garden, where you will find stop three, start to notice the textures around you. What do you feel? The clothes on your skin, things you are holding, the temperature outside. Notice how the textures change based on your pose, where you sit, in the sun and in the shade. Allow yourself to think on these things. When you’re ready, continue on your journey.
Stop Four can be found in the Howe Garden. From the third stop in the Burr Terrace Garden, make your way down the path to the left. The entrance is marked by a stone archway.
Stop Four: Scents
Finally, you will find yourself in the Howe Garden. Here you will focus more intently on scent. Take a deep breath in. What do you smell? Damp soil, flowers, stone, is there anything carried by the wind? There may be natural and unnatural scents. Try to gauge how these vary by distance to the source or in medley with the rest.
If something irritates you, let it pass as all things do.
Take three deep breaths. Each one deeper than the last.
Sit in gratitude, forgiveness, and assurance.
Think on these things as you reach the end of Walk One.
“Good things stand like stone:
Kindness in another’s trouble,
Courage in your own.“
—Cora Howe