GATLINBURG, Tenn. Anakeesta Mountain is filled with beautiful foliage year round, but if you visit in spring, you’ll get to see the flowers and trees really showing off. Whether you’re searching for beautiful spring wedding venues in Gatlinburg, TN, or you’re looking for a serene space to explore, Anakeesta’s tranquil gardens are your solution. They know this is their time to shine, and they proudly step up to center stage. Taking in our gardens is one of the most relaxing things to do in Gatlinburg, TN. Here are a few things to know about the blooms you’ll experience at Anakeesta!Â
It takes months of planning to create these gardens.Â
Our renowned landscape team begins planning several months in advance. Starting in November plans are made, designs are drawn and bulbs and flowers begin to be sourced. Many of our bulbs come all the way from the Netherlands including our dahlias, lilies and, of course, tulips!Â
Once the team, led by landscape architect and founding partner Karen Bentz, receives the bulbs, they have to be strategic and exact about when and where to plant them. Led by landscape architect and founding partner Karen Bentz, bulb timing is critical to bloom timing. For example, the crocus, daffodils and jonquils bloomed in April, the iris, dahlias and lilies begin popping up in early May and the peonies, snapdragon and marigolds arrive a few weeks later. It takes very precise planning to make this happen!
You will see millions of plants and flowers, including some very rare species.
Our team plants more than 20,000 plants and flowers for this season, and mother nature, who will not be upstaged, provides millions of wildflowers for our enjoyment. A few blooms in particular to keep an eye out for include:Â
Dinner Plate Dahlias: These stunning flowers are as big as a 10” dinner plate, hence the funny name. You’ll find them in many different colors and shades, some even have candy cane stripes!Â
Tennessee’s state flower, the Iris, can be found throughout Anakeesta. You’ll notice they are a deeper blue and purple than you typically see. They were specifically sourced for the rarity of their color.Â
Speaking of rare, be on the lookout for the Red Hot Pokers. Yes, that’s their name. These beauties have one long stem with a flower that radiates red to orange to yellow making it look like a hot poker!Â
As we mentioned, we source many of our flowers, including our tulips, from the Netherlands. There is literally nowhere better in the world to source tulips and we have hundreds of them for your enjoyment.Â
Near the cascading waterfall you’ll find three Fringe trees. These very unusual plants, whose nickname is old man’s beard, bloom with white flowers that look like a soft billowy cloud…or an old man’s beard.
You won’t be able to miss our larger-than-life rose sculptures. These whimsical beauties are located throughout Vista Gardens and on the Parkway at the entrance to Anakeesta and were handcrafted specifically for our park!!
It’s an Experience for All Your Senses
Of course, the sight of all these stunning flowers as you walk through Vista Gardens is incredible. The colors, the expansiveness, the all around beauty of nature at its finest is worth the visit. But it really is a garden for all the senses.Â
You will be overcome by the aromas in the garden. Each flower has its own unique scent, but combine them all and it’s a symphony of scents that you’ll only wish you could bottle up and spray on your wrist for special occasions. And for a real aromatic treat, take a walk through the Wisteria tunnel where you’ll be wrapped up on all sides by their beautiful fragrance.   (Tip: The tunnel is filled with misters that not only water the flowers, but are a great way to cool off on those hot summer days!)Â
As you walk the meandering paths of the gardens you’ll hear the sounds of the waterfall, the singing of the birds and the rustling of the branches. With all your senses being touched, you could close your eyes and still enjoy the experience of the gardens.Â
Our visitors aren’t the only ones enjoying the garden
Plant it and they will come. “They” being butterflies, thousands of them! As they migrate through the Smokies they love to stop through Vista Gardens. They particularly love the petunias, honeysuckle and poppies. They are a welcome addition and bring an extra pop of color and beauty to our gardens.Â
There are also many species of birds as well as bees who are welcome guests to our garden. They help support the balance of nature through pollination which enhances biodiversity in our landscapes and gardens.Â
So be like the birds and the butterflies. If they think Anakeesta’s stunning blooms are worth a visit, you should too!Â
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