A Cheekwood Spring and Arbor Day Walk

By Sarah Hughes

Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a tree at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.

As temperatures rise and blossoms cycle through their hues, it would appear Tenn. has entered the Spring season. One way to enjoy it is to visit the Cheekwood Estate and Gardens.

Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of an iris flower at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a columbine flower at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a large tulip flower at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a daffodil flower at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a tulip flower at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of tulip flower around a tree at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.

Located at 1200 Forrest Park Drive in Nashville, Tenn. Cheekwood draws residents, members and travelers alike. With 55-acres of botanical gardens there is plenty of space for social distancing in accordance with safety protocols listed in their entirety on Cheekwood’s website.

Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a fern at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a leaf at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a tree at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a fern at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.

“Cheekwood, in accordance with CDC guidance, recommends individuals stay 6′ apart and travel in groups no larger than 10. All visitors are required to wear cloth face coverings when entering buildings including the Historic Mansion & Museum, Botanic Hall, and the Frist Learning Center. Cloth face coverings are strongly recommended in outdoor areas except when maintaining a physical distance of at least 6’ from other visitors,” says https://cheekwood.org/knowbeforeyougo_covid19/

Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a flower at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a tree label at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a flowering tree at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a flowering tree at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a landscape at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a tree at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a tree in a maze at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.

Cheekwood features year round activities. Arbor Day, on Apr. 30, 2021 can be celebrated with a walk and an arboretum map available online and from Visitor services.

“The Arboretum at Cheekwood includes well over 2,100 trees, curated to serve Cheekwood’s mission as a collecting institution and offer the community enjoyment and education. Cheekwood has documented 1,267 deciduous trees; 576 evergreens; 16 deciduous conifers; and 238 dogwoods,” says https://cheekwood.org/calendar/arbor-day/

“Our arboretum map, available online and from Visitor Services, presents at least 120 distinct species and cultivated varieties of trees to guide an exploration of the campus canopy.”

Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a flowering dogwood tree at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.
Photo provided by Sarah Hughes. Picture of a flowering dogwood tree label at Cheekwood 2021. All rights reserved.

Their website blog even has tips for caring for Dogwood Trees, available at https://cheekwood.org/dogwood-tips/

Although Bloom Season for Cheekwood is officially Mar. 6 – Apr. 11, 2021 and National Gardening Day Apr. 14, 2021 there is still a great deal to see at Cheekwood in the lushness of warm months. The grounds are an excellent inspiration for the hobby gardener featuring different gardens every month. Summertime also promises seasonal festivities and beautiful scenes.

Tickets have the option to be purchased for just the grounds or to include the art museum located in the mansion of the historic Cheek estate. The building houses historically furnished rooms, paintings and permanent collection pieces.

“Originally built as the home of Leslie and Mabel Cheek in 1929, Cheekwood is one of the finest examples of an American Country Place Era estate,” says the Cheekwood website.

If planning a visit, it is best to reserve a time. Ticket and membership options are available through the museums website at https://cheekwood.org/buy-tickets/