Tranquility Garden

“Tranquility” started as a sunny perennial garden and evolved into a shade garden as the trees grew. Seven of the large Tulip Poplars are 25-year-old seedlings from the “mother” tree. In 2015, 600 hostas from the Franklin garden and other plants were used to establish the “Tranquility” garden at UT Gardens (State Botanical Gardens) in Knoxville. Scapes of flowers, textures, and colors provide a changing palette throughout the season. Evergreen perennials, including Rohdea, Asarum, hardy fern, Hellebores, Tiarella, and Camellia provide interest during winter. Hydrangea flower from spring to late summer and Japanese maples usher in fall colors.

The garden is “watched over” by an assortment of angel and Asian statuary. About 800 Hosta and 300 Rohdea (the Sacred Lily of Japan and China) are the bones of the garden. The Rohdea, mostly grown from seed, survived desiccation in December 2022 when temperatures dropped 50 degrees in 8 hours and this year temperatures at degrees. About 1⁄2 of the collection is in containers to avoid tree roots, and the lack of space has created a “vertical” garden. Each spring the plants are sprayed with Miracle Gro Tomato Food, but otherwise, a variety of fertilizers have been used. The Rohdea are also sprayed with Fertiloam II Fungicide.

Welcome to Tranquility ! - Cornelia