SPRING FEATURED GARDENS TO SHOWCASE THREE UNIQUE PROPERTIES IN KNOXVILLE
Spectacular Private Gardens Open to the Public for One Weekend Only
Saturday, April 20th: 10AM-5PM | Sunday, April 21st: 12PM-4PM
April 11, 2024 [Knoxville, Tennessee]— The public is invited to experience three spectacular private gardens during the Dogwood Arts Spring Featured Gardens event, April 20-21, 2024. The event will feature GATOP (God’s Answer To Our Prayers) in East Knoxville, Anderson Estate in South Knoxville, and the Hopkins Cottage Garden in West Knoxville. Each garden is unique in design and offers a variety of plant material and special features. From an enchanting cottage garden to a 20+ acre property complete with water features, outdoor sculptures, and the largest collection of conifers in the Southeast — this year’s Featured Gardens showcases the full range of natural beauty present in our community.
Tours are self-guided, although Master Gardeners and Dogwood Arts staff will be on-site to answer questions. A $5 cash donation per garden is suggested. These gardens require walking on uneven paths and are not handicap accessible; comfortable or hiking shoes are recommended. Since these are private residences, there is limited on-site parking; guests will be admitted on a first-come-first-served basis. No pets allowed.
GATOP (God’s Answer To Our Prayers): Owner Dr. Alan Solomon
2643 Delrose Drive, Knoxville, TN 37914
Included in the Smithsonian Institution’s Archives of American Gardens, God’s Answer To Our Prayers (GATOP) is the private garden of Dr. Alan Solomon, a retired Knoxville oncologist who is known nationally for his pioneering work on the treatment of amyloid-related diseases. While he built his career in medicine, he found his true passion working in the garden. The property features many hundreds of botanical specimens such as conifers (the largest collection in the Southeast) and hollies, extensive displays of wildflowers, perennials, and ground covers, as well as numerous water features and large marble outcroppings. Complimenting this unusual garden are stainless-steel, iron, bronze, and stone sculptures. The site also features one of Knoxville’s oldest marble quarries.
Anderson Estate: Owners Fred & Sandra Anderson
Free parking & shuttle to the garden from Sevier Heights Baptist Church (3140 Maloney Rd, Knoxville, TN 37920)
- Set on a hilltop overlooking the Great Smoky Mountains, Anderson Estate is a plant collectors garden. This young, but ever-expanding garden, features an extensive hosta collection with over 500 varieties and also includes a wide assortment of azaleas, camellias, rhododendrons, conifers, and a native plant display garden. The kitchen garden with 11 raised vegetable beds, fruit trees, and berries is home to an apiary. The property also includes a cemetery from the 1800’s, an Enchanted Forest, and a professionally landscaped frog haven with a bubbling brook and waterfall.
The Hopkins Cottage Garden: Owners Dennis & Linda Hopkins
1708 Pheasant Ridge Trail, Knoxville, TN 37922
- A labor of love cultivated over 35 years. This enchanting space features a lovely gazebo,cozy outdoor fireplace, arbors, bridges, stone terraces,a shaded pergola and winding stone paths that beckon you to explore. Inspired by a lifelong passion for gardening that began in Indiana, this Tennessee haven offers an extended growing season and a true gardener’s paradise.
Dogwood Arts, presented by ORNL Federal Credit Union, is a 501(c)3 organization with a mission to promote and celebrate our region’s art, culture, and natural beauty. Find a full list of upcoming events at https://www.dogwoodarts.com/events.
