One popular element in large English gardens is the use of "garden rooms", often referred to as themed gardens. At Rosewood, in addition to many flower beds and borders, nine different themed gardens have been landscaped, each with its own diverse planting and form. When developing the different themed areas we aimed for interest and bloom throughout the whole year. Below we have shown photos of the different Gardens together with photos of our couples posing in the individual Gardens when celebrating their outdoor wedding here. |
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Solid seams of shale rock determined our choice of developing a rock garden in the area immediately beyond the house. Work began in 1995, and this was Rosewood's first themed garden. Rock Gardens were a Victorian concept, emulating the natural mountainscapes of the Alps & Pyrenees, where alpine flowers blanket the slopes in Spring. Rock Gardens or "Rockeries" are still a popular feature in English gardens today, however, here in East Tennessee we use other plants to achieve a similar look as alpines won't survive our hot summers. We use a variety of ground covers including moss phlox, evening primrose and thyme, in combination with dwarf conifers. Unfortunately our "dwarf" conifers are rapidly outgrowing their position, and sometime in the future we will have to consider removing them, to get back to the look we originally intended. |
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The Heather Garden is very special because it is full of color and bloom throughout the winter months. (First photo to the left was taken in February) Although heathers are great favorites in English gardens, they are seldom grown in the southeastern states because the climate is felt to be unsuitable. However, with the correct choice of plants; good soil preparation, and an open, sunny site - a beautiful heather garden can be achieved - especially with a combination planting of colorful conifers. Plants from the 'Erica' family of heaths have been selected for this garden, and bloom begins in November, peaking in early March. Although no longer in bloom, the heathers combine with the conifers and barberries to provide colorful foliage and interest throughout the rest of the year. (Second photo to the left is the heather garden in summer) |
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As you pass through a clematis covered arch you enter the Shade Garden. Full of bloom in April, when azaleas are surrounded by English bluebells, this garden visibly cools during the heat of summer, with the softer shades of the astilbes, hostas and hydrangeas. Late fall offers a rich color palette, as the foliage of the Japanese maples, fothergillas and other plants, turn various shades of red, orange and gold. The clay soil, which is particularly heavy and dense in this area, continues to be difficult to work, although amendments are constantly added in an attempt to improve it. The recent loss of a large pine which afforded much shade, has now resulted in certain areas having far more sun - many plants in that area were not sun tolerant. Gardening can be frustrating at times! |
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Developed to provide all the components needed for both the adult butterfly and the larvae. The Butterfly Garden houses a shady arbor (photo right) and a boardwalk lined with weigelas and rose of sharon. Early spring is a beautiful time when the dogwoods, lilacs and many varieties of virburnums are all in bloom. Redtip photinias provide a windbreak for the garden, offering protection for the butterflies and a good spot for roosting. Although most butterflies prefer a sunny and sheltered area, there are one or two species that enjoy woodland conditions. Fortunately there are both sun and shade areas in this Garden, allowing us to use a more diverse range of plants that appeal to all butterflies.Sadly many species of butterfly are disappearing worldwide, due to the use of chemicals, pesticides, and the loss of their habitat, however we are pleased to note that over 40 different species of butterfly have been identified at the garden. We are organic garden, and we do not use harsh chemicals or pesticides. |
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The Hummingbird Garden is essentially a partly shaded woodland site, created for the Ruby Throated Hummingbird. This particular species of hummingbird is the only one to regularly frequent the Eastern United States. The combination of flowers and nectar filled feeders keep these fascinating and territorial little creatures in residence from April thru October. Columbines, azaleas and weigelas bloom in spring, followed by red bee balm and asiatic lilies in early summer. Peak of color is early to mid May. Annuals, such as impatiens and red salvias , which have hummingbird appeal, are planted every year. In late summer jewel weed plants begin to bloom and their tiny orange flowers provide a continuing treat for Hummingbirds until they depart for warmer climates in October. A series of wide steps, lined with flower filled tubs, lead from the Butterfly Garden into the Hummingbird Garden. This area is a firm favorite with photographers, and a great location for group and bridal party photos. Another popular place for romantic poses is by the pine tree we affectionately refer to as the "Bendy Tree". A small arch covered in trumpet honeysuckle is one of the entrances/exits to this garden and provides a very natural backdrop for photos. |
| THE VICTORIAN GARDEN |
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The Wine & Roses Garden was developed in 2007, utilizing the site of our former nursery bed area. This garden is very romantic and was designed specifically for wedding ceremonies. The main entrance to the Wine & Roses Garden is via a red brick pathway. A alternative entrance is via a gently sloping grassed pathway. The focal point of this Garden is a large white arbor, clad in climbing roses and clematis, which have their best bloom in May. Every year we add mandevilla vines and flowering hanging baskets to the arbor, and they continue to provide color until the first frost. We chose to color theme the Wine & Roses Garden in the full spectrum of wine colors - white, pink, blush, red and burgundy. We have included a few plants of the gardens's namesake - the "Wine & Roses" Weigela, which has ruby trumpet shaped bloom in late April/early May, and rich burgundy colored leaves throughout the rest of spring, summer and fall. Many plants were selected for their sweet fragrance and romantic appeal, including mock orange shrubs, roses, sweet williams, buddleias and lilies. We decided to keep many of the antique roses that were already growing in the original nursery bed area, and to those added a selection from the modern "Knock Out" series of roses. The roses are generally in bloom throughout most of the months that we are open. A graceful weeping willow tree provides the backdrop to this Garden, creating an intimate atmosphere while adding a real sense of tranquility. Unfortunately the willow toppled over in an ice storm in December 2010. However after it was pruned to reduce the weight, it was hauled back into position, and has survived to add beauty to the garden once again - not quite as full and lush as it once was, but hopefully, given time, it will be back to its former glory! |
| This garden is a great favorite with our visitors. It is a garden of interpretation, where we have taken many of the plants mentioned in Shakespeare's works and used them in authentic Elizabethan settings. The bust of Shakespeare overlooks the knot garden (see header photo at top of page). Edged in box, the compartments contain herbs including oregano and thyme. Blue forget me nots and tulips are added for spring color, and various flowering annuals are planted every year for bloom throughout summer. Flowering hanging baskets, provide extra color. The rustic fence behind the knot garden is covered with fragrant honeysuckle (referred to as "woodbine" by Shakespeare), along with the rare and sweet smelling white musk rose that Shakespeare mentions in his works. This rose only blooms in early/mid May. The cottage style area contains a mixture of flowers and herbs, plus the ancient "White Rose of York" and "Red Rose of Lancaster" - both roses were mentioned by the Bard as he references the Wars of the Roses. Another area comprises a little woodland garden, where, again, we have used plants mentioned by Shakespeare, including crab apples, English holly, primroses, columbines and English bluebells. Facing the knot garden, is an area dedicated to Shakespeare's "Midsummer Nights Dream" where we have recreated "Titania's" bank by planting a gentle sloping area with wild thyme, and other plants that form a "carpet". Blue forget me nots seed there every year, and in spring they provide a very pretty display, along with the earlier flowering crocus. In 2011 we added a small stone bench with the backdrop of Pseudacorus Iris (yellow flag). Shakespeare mentions this iris along with other species Iris, when he refers to "Flower De Luce or "fleur-de-lys". |
Wherever possible, we have used plants authentic to the Victorian period (1837-1901) - many are not easily attainable in commerce today, including some rare cultivars of bearded iris that date back to the 1800s. Garden statues were great favorites of the Victorians and our "Aphrodite" Statue serves as a focal point in the long herbaceous border. A white bench is located in under the shade of a large loblolly pine tree. The herbaceous border is typical of the type of border seen in the late Victorian period and is landscaped using many perennials. The peak of bloom is July and August, and the border during those months is particularly lush and colorful, with plantings at the rear of the border often towering to 6ft or more. In late June the rich red blooms of the bee balm dominate, along with the annual blue flowers of the larkspur, which has to be sown every year - the affect is very attractive. Facing the herbaceous border is a small rose garden, which is edged in catmint and features the lovely Victorian polyantha rose, "Marie Pavie". This flower bed also contains several plants of the old Victorian peony "Mons Jules Elie". We also use some shrubs of the colorful Rose of Sharon, "Lavender Chiffon", and prune them to create the look of standard/tree roses. They bloom throughout late July and August. This a favourite spot for "sitting poses" of the bride and groom. |
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The Memorial Garden was designed to honor the late Princess, with kind permission given by her Foundation and representatives of her family. The motto of the Foundation is "Diana, The Work Continues", and this relates to the late princess's humanitarian works. The Memorial Garden features a Hebe statue and fountain located in one of the side borders, and beside it is a well known quote from Tony Blair, who was the British Prime Minister at the time of the late princess's passing. A small statue of Peter Pan is the focal point of the center island bed, and this statue is a copy of a bronze that is in Kensington Palace Gardens, London, the former home of Princess Diana. Blue colored trellis forms the backdrop to the "sunny" side border, and various roses and clematis are used on this trellis. We have tried to create a very feminine, yet modern garden, to reflect her personality. Flowers in soft shades of lavender blue, and peach are used, along with the more vibrant and richer shades of apricot and coral. We avoid dark colored plants. White narcissus along with blue forget me nots create a pretty look in mid April, followed blue and lavender irises and peach roses in May. This garden is particularly attractive at the end of June/beginning of July, when all the peach and apricot daylilies, and the fragrant oriental lilies are in bloom . Throughout this Garden we use the white Rose of Sharon, aptly called "Diana", which typically blooms in August and September. One rose which we use in this Garden, was particularly hard to find in the U.S., but we felt it was important for us to have this for the Memorial Garden. "The Princess of Wales" rose (not to be confused with Jackson & Perkins "Diana, Princess of Wales" rose) is a lovely little white floribunda rose. This particular rose was chosen by Princess Diana, just a year before her death, and proceeds from the sale of the rose were donated to the British Lung Association. Sadly, this same white rose was used in the wreath from Prince Harry at his mother's funeral. |
| The Knot Garden forms part of the Shakespeare Garden. This type of landscaping is often seen in the grand stately homes of England, but is seldom seen here in the Southern US. Our Garden is truly unique here in East Tennessee. |
"This place is a jungle of beauty, a jungle controlled by a single mind; never allowed to deteriorate into a mere jungle, but always kept in bounds by a master hand. The luxuriance is everywhere, a kind of haphazard luxuriance, which of course comes neither by hap nor hazard" This description of an English country garden was written by Vita Sackville West back in the 1940's for the famous London newspaper, the "Observer". She was in fact describing Hidcote Manor Gardens in Gloucestershire, England, a garden of approximately 10 landscaped acres and many "garden rooms". Now cited as the most famous garden in England, Hidcote was in fact developed by an American gentleman, Major Lawrence Johnston, who started planning and laying out the gardens in 1910. Hidcote has since become the inspiration for many enthusiastic gardeners, including ourselves. Vita Sackville West, herself an avid gardener, went on to develop "Sissinghurst" a garden of different "themed rooms" which has also become one of the most well loved gardens in England, more particularly known for its famous "White Garden". The "White Garden" was the inspiration behind our "Wine & Roses Garden" where instead of just landscaping with white flowers, we went with our own interpretation and chose to color theme the area in plants which covered the full spectrum of wine colors - from white to deepest burgundy. Of course, the Wine & Roses Garden is now our wedding ceremony site, and we feel the choice of those colors provides the romantic look that brides seek. Both "Hidcote" and" Sissinghurst" are now under the ownership of England's National Trust. The gardens are open to the public, and visitors worldwide are able to enjoy the beauty of the many themed areas contained in both gardens. |
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- Our Themed Gardens
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