{"id":628,"date":"2022-11-01T16:44:47","date_gmt":"2022-11-01T16:44:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cheekwood.local\/discover\/botanical-garden-arboretum\/"},"modified":"2026-02-06T13:00:49","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T19:00:49","slug":"botanical-garden-arboretum","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/cheekwood.org\/discover\/botanical-garden-arboretum\/","title":{"rendered":"Botanical Garden & Arboretum"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column]

<\/div>

Botanical Garden & Arboretum<\/h1>\n

From beautiful blooms to rare species of shrubs, Cheekwood has a wide variety of plants to explore and appreciate. Visit our botanical garden and arboretum today and take in the beauty of our historic landscape!<\/p>\n<\/div>\"Image<\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column el_id=”blooming”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

What’s Blooming?<\/h2>\n
\n

From the very front gates to the back of the property, here is a list of everything blooming in our gardens this season.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

[\/vc_column_text]

<\/div>

Spring<\/h1>\n

There are few places more beautiful than Cheekwood in the spring. Colorful blooms and lush greenways surround guests as they soak in all 55 acres of our pristine gardens and rolling hills.<\/p>\n

Seasonal Display Guide<\/a><\/p>\n

Search Our Plant Collections<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\"Blooms-Slider-3-1135x425\"<\/div>

\n

Recent Posts<\/h2><\/header>
\n \"Parrotia\n <\/header>
\n

Top Plant Picks February 2026<\/h3>\n

It's a new month of plant picks! Cheekwood\u2019s Horticulturist, Sage McClain, shares her top plant picks for February 2026<\/p>\n

Read More<\/a><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>

\n \"Dryopteris\n <\/header>
\n

Top Plant Picks January 2026<\/h3>\n

It's a new month of plant picks! Cheekwood\u2019s Horticulturist, Sage McClain, shares her top plant picks for January 2026<\/p>\n

Read More<\/a><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>

\n \"Ilex\n <\/header>
\n

Top Plant Picks December 2025<\/h3>\n

It's a new month of plant picks! Cheekwood\u2019s Horticulturist, Sage McClain, shares her top plant picks for December 2025.<\/p>\n

Read More<\/a><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/article><\/section>[vc_row_inner el_class=”hide”][vc_column_inner el_class=”add-marg-top”]

\n \"mansion\n
\n

Winter Bloom<\/h3>\n

With over 55 acres, the gardens at Cheekwood are flourishing all year long\u2013 even in the winter. We\u2019ve included a list of what you can experience in the gardens this time of year. <\/p>\n Read More<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n \"Cheekwood\n

\n

Cheekwood in Bloom<\/h3>\n

There are few places more beautiful than Cheekwood in the spring. Colorful blooms and lush greenways surround guests as they soak in all 55 acres of our pristine gardens and rolling hills.<\/p>\n Read More<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n \"\u00a9Caitlin\n

\n

Summer<\/h3>\n

From the very front gates to the back of the property, here is a list of everything blooming in our gardens this season.<\/p>\n Read More<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a><\/section>[\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_id=”Explore The Gardens” el_class=”Explore The Gardens”][vc_column]

Explore The Gardens<\/h2>

From terraced gardens inspired by international travels to spaces dedicated to study and preservation, the gardens at Cheekwood have something to pique everyone's interests. Discover the large variety of blooms and foliage our estate has to offer and take in the natural beauty of this historic landscape.<\/p>

Designed by David Harris Engel, this Japanese-style tea garden guides visitors on a meditative journey to an idyllic scene of a mountain retreat.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Beautiful and horticulturally diverse, this garden featuring numerous interactive features that are engaging for all ages.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

A tribute to our universal love of color, we invite you walk through the sweeping curves of this garden and enjoy a collection of colorful flowers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Created to resemble the oldest surviving botanical garden in the world, this garden will transport you to a beautiful, Italian scene.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Planted under a hardwood canopy, this garden displays many selections of Cornus species and is the centerpiece of our Nationally Accredited Cornus Collection\u00ae.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

A project of the Herb Society of Nashville, this garden is devoted to the study and evaluation of herbal plants in Middle Tennessee.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

This garden is one of the most beloved gardens at Cheekwood as it pays tribute to Mrs. Cora Howe and showcases her love of wildflowers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Surrounding our elegant, Georgian-style mansion,\u00a0 this garden is comprised of terraced gardens with extensive plantings of boxwoods.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

If you love peaceful, cascading water sounds, this serene water garden is a must-see at Cheekwood.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

One of the newest gardens on our property, this green space is dedicated exclusively to America\u2019s official flower \u2013 the rose.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

This garden honors the late Sigourney Cheek and serves to inspire literacy through reading, writing and reflective thought.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Dedicated to iris breeder and author, Jesse Wills, this garden displays new and traditional perennials, as well as bearded irises.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_class=”hide”][vc_column]

Explore The Gardens<\/h2>

From terraced gardens inspired by international travels to spaces dedicated to study and preservation, the gardens at Cheekwood have something to pique everyone's interests. Discover the large variety of blooms and foliage our estate has to offer and take in the natural beauty of this historic landscape.<\/p>

Designed by David Harris Engel, this Japanese-style tea garden guides visitors on a meditative journey to an idyllic scene of a mountain retreat.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Beautiful and horticulturally diverse, this garden featuring numerous interactive features that are engaging for all ages.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

A tribute to our universal love of color, we invite you walk through the sweeping curves of this garden and enjoy a collection of colorful flowers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Created to resemble the oldest surviving botanical garden in the world, this garden will transport you to a beautiful, Italian scene.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Planted under a hardwood canopy, this garden displays many selections of Cornus species and is the centerpiece of our Nationally Accredited Cornus Collection\u00ae.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

A project of the Herb Society of Nashville, this garden is devoted to the study and evaluation of herbal plants in Middle Tennessee.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

This garden is one of the most beloved gardens at Cheekwood as it pays tribute to Mrs. Cora Howe and showcases her love of wildflowers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Surrounding our elegant, Georgian-style mansion,\u00a0 this garden is comprised of terraced gardens with extensive plantings of boxwoods.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

If you love peaceful, cascading water sounds, this serene water garden is a must-see at Cheekwood.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

One of the newest gardens on our property, this green space is dedicated exclusively to America\u2019s official flower \u2013 the rose.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

This garden honors the late Sigourney Cheek and serves to inspire literacy through reading, writing and reflective thought.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Focusing on the seasonal aspect of the landscape in Tennessee, this garden features everything from summer blooms to winter berries.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Dedicated to iris breeder and author, Jesse Wills, this garden displays new and traditional perennials, as well as bearded irises.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]

Arboretum<\/h2>

With over 130 species of trees and shrubs across our 55 acre estate, our Arboretum provides a serene place to unwind and take in the beauty of nature. Explore our property and learn more about your favorite species and Cheekwood's conservation efforts.<\/p>\n

The Arboretum at Cheekwood was awarded a Level 4 accreditation with the regional organization, Tennessee Urban Forestry Council (TUFC) in 2010. In 2020, the estate was granted a Level II status by the global organization, ArbNet. Within the over 2,100 trees on the property, Cheekwood has documented 1,267 deciduous trees; 576 evergreens; 16 deciduous conifers; and 238 dogwoods.<\/p>\n

Cheekwood\u2019s three primary tree collections include the Nationally Accredited Cornus Collection\u2122, the historic collection, and trees native to the southeastern United States. The one-of-a-kind collection of dogwoods weave together a series of distinct gardens along the property\u2019s eastern ridge, ending at the base of the Mansion & Museum, the property\u2019s historic core. The landscape is embraced by a woodland sculpture trail, with a fourteen-acre forest that serves as the primary venue for the native tree collection. As both a botanical garden and arboretum, we strive to always provide something new to explore, appreciate, and astonish, while preserving that which is historically sacred.<\/p>

Made to manage and protect a large population of native ash trees, our Emerald Ash Borer Response Program is helping conserve this species for future generations to observe, study, and enjoy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Can’t make it to Cheekwood in person? Enjoy a self-guided, virtual tour through Cheekwood’s Arboretum.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_class=”hide”][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

What’s Blooming?<\/h2>\n
\n

From the very front gates to the back of the property, here is a list of everything blooming in our gardens this season.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

[\/vc_column_text]

<\/div>

Harvest<\/h1>\n

Autumn is in the air, and with it comes a variety of fall foliage special to the season.<\/p>\n

Seasonal Display Guide<\/a><\/p>\n

Search Our Plant Collections<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\"Harvest-0005\"<\/div>

<\/div>

Summer<\/h1>\n

From the very front gates to the back of the property, here is a list of everything blooming in our gardens this season.<\/p>\n

Seasonal Display Guide<\/a><\/p>\n

Search Our Plant Collections<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\"CaitlinHarris_Cheekwood_Summer_CheekwoodSociety\"<\/div>[vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner el_class=”add-marg-top”]

\n \"Wills\n
\n

Harvest<\/h3>\n

Autumn is in the air, and with it comes a variety of fall foliage special to the season.<\/p>\n Read More<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n \"mansion\n

\n

Winter Bloom<\/h3>\n

With over 55 acres, the gardens at Cheekwood are flourishing all year long\u2013 even in the winter. We\u2019ve included a list of what you can experience in the gardens this time of year. <\/p>\n Read More<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n \"Cheekwood\n

\n

Cheekwood in Bloom<\/h3>\n

There are few places more beautiful than Cheekwood in the spring. Colorful blooms and lush greenways surround guests as they soak in all 55 acres of our pristine gardens and rolling hills.<\/p>\n Read More<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a><\/section>[\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_class=”hide”][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

What’s Blooming?<\/h2>\n
\n

From the very front gates to the back of the property, here is a list of everything blooming in our gardens this season.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner el_class=”add-marg-top”]

\n \"\u00a9Caitlin\n
\n

Summer<\/h3>\n

From the very front gates to the back of the property, here is a list of everything blooming in our gardens this season.<\/p>\n Read More<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n \"Wills\n

\n

Harvest<\/h3>\n

Autumn is in the air, and with it comes a variety of fall foliage special to the season.<\/p>\n Read More<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n \"mansion\n

\n

Winter Bloom<\/h3>\n

With over 55 acres, the gardens at Cheekwood are flourishing all year long\u2013 even in the winter. We\u2019ve included a list of what you can experience in the gardens this time of year. <\/p>\n Read More<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a><\/section>[\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Plant Collections<\/h2>\n

Cheekwood maintains collections of specific taxa and plant groupings including the historic boxwood, dogwood, herb, hydrangea, southeastern native, and redbud. Plants are labeled to convey both scientific and common names, family names, native origin and are mapped using GIS software.[\/vc_column_text]

Cheekwood\u2019s Plant Collections<\/a><\/div>[\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″]
\"2019<\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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