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Past Shows:

Show #14/401
Garden design has played an important role in history. Design
influences from all over the world have made their way to the U.S. and
certainly that's no exception at Cheekwood Gardens in Nashville,
Tennessee. Cheekwood is a public botanical garden and museum of art
tucked away in a residential area of Nashville. It is the former home
of the Cheek family and dates back to the 1930's. The property is
located on 55 acres of rolling hills and streams. Besides the natural
beauty everywhere you look there are many historical design elements.
Jack Becker is the President/CEO of Cheekwood and provides some
background on this wonderful spot. Construction began on this home and
property in 1929 and was completed in the early 1930's. The Cheek
family hired a very talented landscape architect named Bryant Fleming
to lay out the house and grounds. He created an integrated experience
of indoor and outdoor spaces. Today visitors can explore the 1930's
landscape, botanical gardens and the museum itself. No matter the time
of year there is always something to see or do, the gardens change
change weekly, monthly, by the season. There is a wonderful sculpture
garden, inside the museum is interesting as well and the Pineapple Room
is a great place to have lunch or coffee. Jack feels that Cheekwood is
one of Nashville's crown jewels and well worth an entire day visit for
the family. He welcomes Garden Smart and invites those in the audience
to visit.
Dr. Tonia Horton is the Director of Exhibitions and Programs at
Cheekwood. She is a landscape architect and public historian by
training. Tonia grew up in Virginia, her family has been there for 9
generations. When growing up the historical landscapes of Tidewater,
Virginia were nearby, thus her sensibilities about history and
landscape started early on. Her first job was at the Smithsonian,
dealing with American Art where she quickly came to the realization she
really wanted to design. So, she became a landscape architect and
worked primarily with the National Park Service. She then decided to
get a PhD. in public history and continued to work with the Park
Service as a manager of the Cultural Landscape Program in Alaska where
she oversaw a program that covered 55 million acres and 15 National
Parks. Here at Cheekwood she is in charge of 55 acres and has a
challenge of a different sort.
Cheekwood is a country era estate that was designed by Bryant Fleming
for the Cheek family. The Cheek family had helped originate Maxwell
House Coffee, then used their proceeds to buy into IBM. They built a
rather imposing structure. The good fortune was that they had an
architect who was also a landscape architect and he was able to advise
them on how to build the structure, how to furnish the structure and
how to marry all that with a landscape that reflected the same
aesthetic. A prime example of this is the magnificent arbor. Bryant
Fleming commissioned a young Nashvillian, Philip Carrigan, age 29 (his
first commission), to create the wonderful arbor. It now stands as a
signature piece for Cheekwood because of its ability to bring together
the inside and outside. It also leads visitors into a view of the
landscape, which is spectacular. This view is commanding but when one
realizes that it actually links the home and gardens it becomes even
more special.
In the far distance one sees through the trees and sees a pair of lions
that were actually at Jefferson's Monticello. Looking further in the
distance, one notices dark stones, these are a sculpture done by the
Scottish Sculpture, Ian Hamilton Finley, and mark the beginning of the
sculpture trail. This view encapsulates not only the aesthetic of
Bryant Fleming but marries the old and the new in the landscape at
Cheekwood.
Tonia discusses the paths on which they're walking, she and Joe have
moved from very smooth steps to very rough steps. These are native
limestone, quarried from the site. Fleming utilized native stone steps
throughout the upper part of the house and garden. Tonia thinks this
important, people always talk about the use of native plants, here
native stone is very much a part of the aesthetic. But again, another
transition, as one moves from rough stones into a very soft, grassy
turf, which is a part of their boxwood garden. This area is green and
green, which is very cool on a hot summer day. Joe feels that it is
cool and soft because the turf provides soft footing. The boxwoods have
a maze-like quality. Originally they weren't as high, they've grown
over time increasing the maze-like effect. One can hear the sound of
water in the background and little hints of sculpture become apparent.
One can't quite see them, one must move around a little in this
landscape. Joe finds the views looking back at the house as dramatic as
those looking into the landscape. Tonia says that is a hallmark of
great design - one can look at a view from any angle and see the
artistry. They round a bend a once again, see another grand view, again
by design, part of Bryant Fleming's aesthetic. The creation of this
composition includes all kinds of spaces - open space, a newer garden,
3 ponds, all are actually part of the original landscape design. The
landscape now begins to open itself up, particularly so after one has
been in the very enclosed boxwood garden. This space is the Wills
Perennial Garden. This is a newer garden that was constructed in 1981.
Tonia finds the shift between the older historic garden, which is more
strict and more formal, into a very naturalized area with beautiful
plants, very interesting. The steps here add continuity. They are still
native limestone, that lead one to this point. The garden also
capitalizes on what Tonia calls "old bones, new garden." Here some of
the historic retaining wall is mirrored with newer rock walls, with
plants added so that it looks like it's always been here.
Another interesting thing about landscape design dates back to the
Romans and the idea of Genius of Place, which is that every place had a
guardian spirit and that human beings had a responsibility to interact
and discover what was in that place. Tonia thinks that is an important
design aesthetic, particularly for a contemporary culture that moves
around a lot. We don't take the time to discover what's in our place
and respond to it in our landscapes. Bryant Fleming captured the spirit
of this particular place for the Cheek family and she thinks that
resonates throughout the landscape.
Joe likes the transition from the stone pathway to the turf, it
softened it up. As well, the retaining wall has beautiful historic
stone but at the same time nice plant material with lots of different
varieties utilized. They've incorporated Sedum, which are low
maintenance and tough plants and Creeping Raspberry always a tough
plant that adds a lot of contrast and texture. It will spread and spill
out as much as wanted or cut it back, keep it contained. Joe likes it,
as he looks over the perennial garden he sees classic hot colors, the
reds and bright yellows but also cooler colors, the blues and purples
and soft pinks and soft yellows. They all blend together nicely as a
good perennial garden design should. Joe also likes the way when
rounding the corner one sees different shades of green. Joe always
likes to emphasize that green is a color, just like reds, purples and
blues. But there are different shades of green. He likes the light
colored sedum, it has almost a grey blue look, yet is a shade of green.
The same is true with the ornamental grass, not a classic green but a
version. It just shows that one doesn't need flowers to create a lot of
interest in the garden.
Tonia next show us an area where it is not only about the visual
display, as in the perennial garden, but about educating visitors,
about drought resistant plants. Here with the use of the historic
retaining wall, they've added additional elements. The heat generated
by the wall, as well as the southern exposure creates micro-climates
and allows them to grow plants like the Yucca. In olden times they used
micro-climates to extend the season. In colonial times, in particular
in the U.S., fruit trees were prize specimens, they would build
particular fences and others to create micro-climates, so they could
force fruits at various times of the year.
Joe has a Garden Smart Tip. If you want to garden year round, you
should try gardening hydroponically. If you've never heard of the term,
it means gardening without soil. Joe shows some plants that were grown
hydroponically. These are pepper plants and were started 2 months ago,
some already have peppers on them. One hydroponic system is an ebb and
flow system, the water comes in and fills the tank about 3 times a day,
the water then empties. These plants develop a vigorous root system.
Another way to grow hydroponically is through a wicking system. The
water stays in and the roots wick up the water. Tomatoes are growing in
another ebb and flow system, they were started from seed 3 months ago.
A good thing about hydroponic gardening is that there is no soil, so
all the nutrients come from the water. Specialized fertilizers are
available just for that purpose. They also make specialized lighting,
so for any size garden there is a light to handle it. If you have
houseplants or plants on a deck, a great system these days is a drip
irrigation system, it's a hydroponic system. Water drips out of a ring
continuously so you have perpetual hydration. These will work with any
plant and if you like to garden year round hydroponics is a great way
to go.
Joe and Tonia continue their garden tour. Joe feels that this is a
strolling garden. Tonia agrees and says it is an interesting place to
work in design landscape. There are many paths that lead to many
gardens. Things change daily. Seasonally, it's like experiencing each
place anew every time one comes through. There are a lot of repeat
visitors, a lot of families come out for that precise reason, to just
stroll through the grounds. It's much like a public park except it's a
botanic garden. The gardens offer many places to stop, sit, relax and
take in the view.
Joe and Tonia stop at one such place. Tonia feels it is a special part
of the landscape. It's actually an historic element that dates to the
Bryant Fleming design. This is a stream garden and is known as the
Robinson Family Water Garden. It originates below the facade of the
house, continues through the landscape and culminates in 3 terraced
ponds. It provides a wonderful location in which to work with hydric
plants, water loving plants, as well as shade loving plants.
This area provides Tonia an opportunity to explain linear design. When
most people think of gardens they think of garden beds - rectangles or
squares. For linear, think of a ribbon lying lightly on the land. In
this particular case if the sides of that ribbon were planted you'd
have your linear design. So, the gardens are not just static, they
actually move along the side of the water. It makes for a wonderful
design and garden.
Joe notices that along with all the water loving plants he looks and
sees plants that love moisture so they do well next to the water. These
include many fern varieties, as well as Heuchera and Iris. They are a
great combination and look great together.
They next come upon a secret garden that one doesn't see until in. This
has an interesting story. It is the relocated garden of Mrs. Cora
Howell, who was an avid Nashville gardener, and it was also the 1st
public garden in Nashville. It was built at her residence, her name for
it was Wildings. She was one of the 1st advocates for wild flower
gardening. She opened it to the public in 1929 and it was open until
her death in 1968. Because it was such an important garden for
Nashville and within wildflower gardening circles, the Garden Club of
Nashville decided to relocate the garden to Cheekwood. Her potting shed
and all her plant material is here. There have been additions to the
native plant material but by and large what one sees is an historic
garden brought to Cheekwood. Joe comments that to move this garden and
plant material took a lot of work, the interested parties put a lot of
significance into those plant rescues. This was done out of respect for
Mrs. Howell and her love of wildflowers. Tonia thinks that the idea of
transmitting plant material through families and through friends is a
trend that isn't much followed today. Throughout the 18th and 19th
centuries people were reliant on personal transfer of plants. Plants
were like money, they were currency and were passed about town, passed
to relatives. For example Tonia's mother has plants from Tonia's
grandmother's garden, who had plants from her grandmother's garden. She
thinks this is an important lesson in maintaining plant material over
time. For one thing, with the varieties out there now, some of the
older ones may be lost. Tonia feels it important that they're keeping
some of the old varieties alive at Cheekwood. Joe points out that in
olden times they didn't have nurseries on every corner like today
allowing one to go out and buy needed plants, if they wanted a new
plant they collected it from another person's garden. Plus, it was a
social thing to do as a gardener, you never let a visitor leave the
garden without giving them a cutting, something they could take back
and perpetuate in their own garden. There is a lot of sentimental value
to sharing plants. Tonia notes that when looking at planters like
Washington and Jefferson, they had some of the most noted botanists of
their time at their home collecting plants and seeds. Tonia thinks it
noteworthy that there are plants being propagated today that were
brought back by Lewis and Clark to Jefferson. They were grown in
Philadelphia greenhouses, then disseminated throughout the south via
railroad. We don't often think about how plants move around the
country, the way plants are collected and assembled in gardens but
Tonia thinks the whole idea of the legacy of plants is very important.
Joe likes the fact that gardens can have different looks. The one they
just left was a deep shade, wildflower garden and now they're in a
garden shaped like an amphitheater. This is a very different garden.
It's part of the Herb Study Garden. It focuses on culinary and
medicinal herbs, historic uses of herbs, the fragrances of herbs and
different textures. This garden has a distinctive feel because of some
of the historic artifacts such as portions of the ionic columns that
were part of the original Tennessee state capital building in 1854.
They were in poor condition in 1954 so they were brought down and
pieces are here today. It lends a bit of grecian air to the
amphitheater and everything works nicely together. This is a great site
for weddings, several weeks ago they had a children's puppet
performance here, it's an informal area used for all kinds of things.
Tonia particularly likes the use of hardscape in this garden, it has
been used differently here than in other gardens. Tonia points out that
while everyone can't have pieces of the Tennessee state capitol in
their garden, everyone can have elements in their garden that are
interesting or important to them. Collect things that speak to ideas
about ones self, our families, where one lives, even go to salvage
yards, find unusual or personal pieces to incorporate into your garden.
Things like the columns, although not in their original place, fit
nicely into this garden and further the idea of Nashville, as the
Athens of the south.
Every garden visited at Cheekwood has had some historical significance.
The Burr Terrace Garden is no exception. It was designed with an old
Italian botanic garden in mind and harkens back to the Renaissance, at
the University of Padua, which was a teaching hospital. Botanic gardens
at that time were serious business, they revolved more around the
concept that empires brought back specimens that might be used for
economic gain, they were places where medicines were produced and they
were important places as opposed to today where seeds are collected and
it's more like a public park. As well, this botanic garden somewhat
replicates the Renaissance ideals of the geometric perfection of the
circle within the square. There is an architectural form here, which is
softened somewhat by the plants. In garden design centuries ago gardens
were for functional purposes rather than for beauty. This garden, based
on the Renaissance garden, a healing garden, attached to the University
of Padula dating to 1540, has that in mind. It had a function, in terms
of medicinal plants but it also showed off the Renaissance ideals of
geometry in different forms that were important at that time. In modern
times, research has shown that when people have the opportunity to
spend time in a garden during convalescence, in many cases, they heal
faster, it has also been shown that gardening is good for at-risk
youth, critical care needs, even that gardening is good for the soul.
Tonia feels that there is a resurgence in landscape architectural
design with an emphasis on the healing garden and the therapeutic
qualities of gardens.
Tonia believes that Cheekwood is a magical place and thinks that is
largely due to the fact that it's a designed landscape and that design
was expansive enough to include the shift from a residential landscape
to a public landscape. Bryant Fleming's ideas were broad enough and
expansive enough that they allowed for growth in this landscape, as we
have been seen in the variety, scale and textures of the various
gardens. There is something for everyone at Cheekwood.
Joe observes that even though this is a 55 acre estate there are many
design principles that can be applied to home gardens even though they
are on a much smaller scale. It's important that visitors keep their
eyes open. One can always find ideas, understand how things fit both
historically and in terms of color, texture and form. Then apply those
principles to your own yard.
Joe thanks Tonia for her time and the tour. Her background and
education provide a unique opportunity to observe gardens with an
historical perspective. This is something new and unusual but most
informative. Cheekwood Botanic Garden and Museum of Art is great.
Thanks Tonia.
Links ::
Gaylord
Opryland Resort and Convention Center
Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum
ofArt
Hydroponics, Growlights,
Organics
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