NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Cheekwood’s 10th annual Cheekwood in Bloom will open March 12 – April 10 with 250,000 blooms for the largest and most colorful celebration of spring to date. Cheekwood in Bloom, which has become a beloved tradition for Nashvillians to welcome warmer weather, longer days, and the rich colors of spring perennials, will also feature live concerts, workshops and programming for all ages, and outdoor wellness classes to encourage visitors to take advantage of Cheekwood’s 55 acres of breathing room to rejuvenate the mind, body, and spirit.
Under the supervision of Cheekwood Vice President of Gardens & Facilities Peter Grimaldi, 100,000 new daffodils were planted this past fall along the Pineapple Hillside beyond the Color Garden Arches, a time and labor-intensive project that will result in an explosion of color as the new blooms emerge this March.
“I’m excited to activate our permanent and perennial daffodil collection to effectively double the number of blooms on display, and I love how the design and color palette reference the yellow daffodils and pull the new feature in the Color Garden,” says Grimaldi. “The rich yellows and oranges of the classic daffodil palette are set up by a contrasting combination of pink and purples arranged along the Arches and woven into a bright yellow ribbon of tulips twisting through the Color Garden.”
Along with the showstopping exhibition of 250,000 blooming tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and violas, patrons can look for colorful signs of spring in the trees: An accredited Level II National Arboretum, Cheekwood’s diverse collection of magnolias, redbuds, and dogwoods will also showcase new fragrant blooms in March and April.
Additional happenings throughout Cheekwood in Bloom include dog events, native plant sale, adult workshops, interactive and educational activations in the Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden, and the return of Cheekwood’s Wellness 360 initiative with outdoor classes led by local instructors including yoga, forest bathing, nature walks, and sound meditation. Regularly scheduled live concerts in the gardens by musicians such as Paul Childers, Tim Gartland, Chris Monaghan, Les Sabler, and Cristina Vane, will kick off March 12 with highlights including Sunday Jazz and a weekend Beer Garden. Also, for the first time, Cheekwood will host a Holi Celebration with food, music, dancing, and hands-on activities, including throwing colored powder to honor the holiday which originated in ancient India.
Lastly, the Great Spring Art Hop returns April 15 and 16 for the 30th year featuring egg hunts and large-scale bunny sculptures decorated by local artists that guests are invited to hop throughout the gardens to find. Cheekwood is currently accepting applications from Nashville artists interested in participating; design entries can be submitted to cheekwood.org/call-for-art by Feb. 18.
Cheekwood in Bloom is presented by HCA. Cheekwood will be open seven days a week from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. throughout the festival. Advanced reservations are required for all happenings, including workshops, classes, and general admission. To purchase tickets and learn more about Cheekwood in Bloom, visit cheekwood.org.
About Cheekwood
Cheekwood is considered one of the finest American Country Place Era estates in the nation. Formerly the family home of Mabel and Leslie Cheek, the extraordinary 1930s estate, with its 30,000-square-foot Mansion and 55 acres of cultivated gardens and expansive vistas, today serves the public as a botanical garden, arboretum, and museum with period rooms and art galleries, showcasing works from its permanent collection as well as traveling exhibitions. The property includes 13 distinct gardens including the Blevins Japanese Garden and the Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden, as well as a 1.5-mile woodland trail featuring modern and contemporary outdoor sculpture. Each year, Cheekwood plays host to seasonal festivals including Cheekwood in Bloom, Summertime at Cheekwood, Cheekwood Harvest and Holiday LIGHTS. Cheekwood is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, and is a three-time USA Today Top 10 Botanical Garden. In 2020, the grounds were awarded a Level II National Arboretum Accreditation by The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program and The Morton Arboretum. Cheekwood is located just 8 miles southwest of downtown Nashville at 1200 Forrest Park Drive. Daily hours of operation: Tuesday through Sunday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Admission to Cheekwood must be purchased in advance at cheekwood.org. For further information, call 615-356-8000 or visit cheekwood.org.
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