ThemedGardens

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.

Click on any thumbnail image below to enlarge

THE ROCK GARDEN

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 orignally intended.

THE HEATHER GARDEN

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)

THE SHADE GARDEN

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.

Very often gardens have areas that present a challenge and are more problematic than most. The Shade
Garden has been one of the most difficult in terms of plant health and survival. In 2007 a "100" year
freeze , preceded a severe drought, and this combination caused considerable plant loss. 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!

THE BUTTERFLY GARDEN

Developed to provide all the components needed for both the adult butterfly and the larvae,the Butterfly
Garden houses a shady arbor 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 an organic garden, and we do not use any harsh chemicals or pesticides.

THE HUMMINGBIRD GARDEN

The Hummingbird Garden is essentially a partly shaded 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 the hummingbirds in residence from April thru
October.

Columbines, azaleas and weigelas bloom in spring, followed by red bee balm 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. Many other suitable plants are also used to attract these fascinating and territorial
little creatures.

A series of steps lead from the Butterfly Garden into the Hummingbird Garden, and these are very popular
with wedding photographers, who see them as a great photo opportunity spot for wedding groups.

THE VICTORIAN GARDEN

THE WINE & ROSES GARDEN

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.

A gentle sloping ailseway forms the bridal entrance to this garden. The focal point is a large white arbor,
clad in climbing roses and clematis, which are full of bloom for several weeks in May. Every year we add
mandevilla and morning glory vines to the arbor, and they create a full and lush effect by late summer,
lasting 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 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.

This 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. Edged in box, the compartments contain lavender, 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. The rustic fence behind the knot garden is covered with the rare and sweet smelling
white musk rose that Shakespeare often refers to 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 roses that were mentioned
by the Bard. Facing the knot garden, is an area dedicated to Shakespeare's "Midsummer Nights
Dream" where we have recreated "Titania's" bank by carpeting a gentle sloping area with wild thyme.

Wherever possible, we have used plants authentic to the Victorian period (1837-1901 - some 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.

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
partcularly lush and colorful, with plantings at the rear of the border often towering to 6ft or more.

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 Rose of Sharon, and have pruned them to create the look of
standard/tree roses, and their lavender blooms are pretty throughout late July and August.

THE SHAKESPEARE GARDEN

THE MEMORIAL GARDEN IN MEMORY
OF DIANA, PRINCESS OF WALES

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. With this sentiment in mind we
usually hold an annual charity event in the Gardens, and proceeds are donated to worthy causes.

The Memorial Garden features a Hebe statue and fountain located in one of the side borders, while a
small statue of Peter Pan is the focal point of the center island bed. The Peter Pan statue is a copy of a
bronze that is in Kensington Palace Gardens, London. (Kensington Palace was a former home of the late
Princess).

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. This garden is particularly attractive at the end of
June/beginning of July, when all the peach and apricot daylilies are in bloom.

A 90 ft length of trellis forms the backdrop to the "sunny" side border. Blue was chosen because this
color has become so popular with hardscapes in England in recent years, plus it is a good compliment to
the peach and apricot flowers. Various roses and clematis are used on the trellis.

Overlooking the Shakespeare Knot Garden and the Victorian Garden in mid-Summer

"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 known and well loved gardens in England.

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.

The Inspiration Behind Rosewood Gardens

ROSEWOOD'S
THEMED GARDENS