Perennial Garden
The Perennial Garden presents a comprehensive collection of perennials
suited to the Tennessee Valley. The perennial palette consists of herbaceous
perennials, hardy bulbs, vines, flowering shrubs, and small trees. The
Perennial Garden makes up the largest component of the Central Corridor Garden.
A distinctive gateway flanked by tall evergreens invites visitors into the
Entry Court where the magnificent view opens up to the gardens beyond. The
dramatic vista to the Aquatic Garden in the distance is lined by low hedges
curling off to the east and west to define the space and delineate the
pathways into the Perennial Garden. The Perennial Garden consists of sweeps
of flower beds lining the grass Allee, a river of emerald green which flows
through the flower beds from the Entry Court to the Aquatic Garden in the
distance. The flower beds, or borders, are interspersed throughout the Allee
and fall on either side of the meandering brick pathway. Each of the borders
has a theme, such as the Spring Border; Summer Border; Hot Colors Border; or
Pink, Blue, and Silver Border, and the numerous plantings within the raised
beds reflect the theme. The pathway leads to the Aquatic Pavilion and
Cottage Garden, an intimately scaled "dooryard" garden. The garden's main
entrance moves straight to the pavilion, or "cottage" while the primary
cross-paths terminate at arbor-covered benches set amid mixed plantings.
Fragrant roses and peonies, clouds of gaura, verbena and patrinia float
over clumps of asters and phlox.
Aquatic Garden
The Aquatic Garden is a formal circular garden located at the southern
terminus of the Perennial Garden. The main focus is the large round pool
bisected by the Aquatic Pavilion. The pavilion consists of an impressive
central structure, traditional in style, connected to shore by pathways
covered by pergolas. This pavilion serves as a choice viewing spot for the
Water Lily Pool, a 110-foot wide semi-circle filled with water lilies, both
tropical and hardy, water lotus and other tropical water plants such as cannas
and papyrus situated in a tranquil setting. Along the north edge of the pool,
steps lead from the pavilion down to the water's edge. Just to the north of
the pavilion, there are two pools, bisected by a pathway, which contain clusters
of jets of water splashing gently to impart a sense of cooling. The water
sparkles and dances, providing a contrast to the serenity and quietness of
the lily pool.
Bulb and Annual Garden
The Annual Garden is designed to display a wide range of tender plants and
bulbs suited to the Tennessee Valley area. This is one of the major color
attractions of the garden and the emphasis is on display. The swirling
curving beds of the Ribbon Garden contain flowering shrubs which provide
appealing displays in all seasons - pansies in winter; tulips, daffodils,
delphiniums, snapdragons in spring; marigolds, lantana, and ornamental
grasses in summer; and chrysanthemums in fall. The Summer House claims the
vantage point overlooking the Annual Garden. It is a wood structure
romantically clad in ornamental vines and hanging baskets. Also, benches
are available to sit in the shade and contemplate the nearby color and the
Aquatic garden in the distance.
