Nashville, TN — Spring is one of the best times to visit Cheekwood and take a front-row seat for the new season's arrival. As the days warm in mid-March, waves of color begin to emerge across the grounds and gardens, starting with hyacinths, daffodils and magnolias that soon give way to iris, dogwoods and viburnums.

This year's spring blooms will deliver a massive dose of one of spring's classics: the bright, crisp lines of over 22,000 tulips. Guests will delight in 16,000 pink tulips blooming in just the Robertson Ellis Color Garden alone, featuring hand-picked varieties including Foxtrot, Menton and Pink Impression, selected to provide the longest season of bloom possible.

There will be much to see and do during Cheekwood in Bloom, with activities every weekend that will please all members in the household. Following is a full schedule of all events for the month. Complete details are available at www.cheekwood.org.

SATURDAYS:

SPRING ART HOP

Saturday, April 7

HOP into spring at Cheekwood's 20th annual Spring Art Hop. Over 20,000 candy-filled eggs will be hidden throughout the gardens for egg hunts every half hour as well as arts and crafts, musicians, live entertainment and more!

KA-BLOOM!

Saturday, April 14

There's no better place to celebrate the colors of spring!

10 a.m. - 2 p.m.: Studio Drop-In Activity - Beautiful Blooms

This is a family-friendly art activity where visitors can create a "bloom" using unique materials and methods. Afterwards, a scavenger hunt will be available to discover all the spring surprises at Cheekwood.

10:30 a.m.: Demonstration: Flower Arranging

Visitors can learn how to make superb arrangements out of cut flowers from their own spring garden!

11 a.m.: Guided Garden Tour: Robertson Ellis Color Garden

12 p.m.: Family Performance: Howard Pink and his Musical Garden Hoses

Howard's dynamic performance astounds his audience as he plays a number of fun and interesting instruments such as: a Conch shell; a cow's horn; a vuvuzela, a 15' wooden alphorn; plastic soda straws; twirling tune pipes; and his famous, old, green musical garden hoses. The performance includes singing, storytelling and musical magic. Your lips will be "buzzing" with excitement after viewing his performance.

1 p.m.: Guided Garden Tour: Carell Dogwood Garden

2 p.m.: Demonstration: Container Gardening

Visitors can get great tips as Cheekwood's garden staff demonstrate how to create a beautiful spring container.

HOWE GARDEN OPENING

Saturday, April 21

10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

The Howe Garden at Cheekwood has a long history as one of the horticultural centerpieces of Cheekwood's grounds and the city of Nashville. Through the generosity of the Garden Club of Nashville, the Howe Garden has recently undergone a near $1 million renovation designed by Ben Page of PAGE/DUKE Landscape Architects and is expected to earn national attention for its horticulture, design and environmental practices. Cheekwood will celebrate the grand opening of this amazing space on April 21 with activities, live music, guided tours and refreshments.

ARBOR DAY ACTIVITIES

Saturday, April 28

Cheekwood is now a certified Level IV arboretum, with over 120 identified species of trees! In honor of National Arbor Day, Cheekwood will offer tours, art activities, demonstrations and more. The first 100 people through the gates will receive a FREE sapling - extending Arbor Day to your home!

10 a.m. - 2 p.m.: Studio Drop-In Activity: TREEmendous Art

Visitors can create their own custom Arbor Day work of art and then embark on a Tree Scavenger Hunt to discover Cheekwood's many species of trees.

10:30 a.m.: Demonstration: Proper Pruning

Through demonstration and discussion, visitors will review the proper trimming practices to keep the trees in their own landscape healthy and beautiful.

11:30 a.m.: Tree-Climbing Demonstration

Watch professionals from the Nashville area showcase their climbing skills and techniques in arborist tree-climbing demonstrations. Witness first-hand how the men from Druid Tree Service do their job with passion and purpose as they skillfully and safely maneuver in a tree while performing rescue climbs, work-related tree care tasks and other activities in a timely manner - the same techniques that are judged in professional arborist competitions.

12 p.m., 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m.: Artist Demonstraton: Woodturning

Learn how trees can be transformed into beautiful, functional pieces of art as celebrated local artist Brenda Stein uses her lathe to demonstrate the art of wood turning.

11 a.m. and 1 p.m.: Guided Arboretum Tour

1:30 p.m.: Demonstration: Proper Planting

Visitors will learn the proper way to plant, mulch and water a new tree.

SUNDAYS

SPRING SUNDAYS

Every Sunday in April

12 p.m.: Guided Greenhouse Tour

Visitors can go on a behind-the-scenes tour of Cheekwood's Production Greenhouses, where over 25,000 plants a year are produced for spring and summer planting. The greenhouses are normally closed to the public, so make the most of this unique opportunity. Greenhouse tours begin in the Courtyard of the Frist Learning Center. Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. The floors of the greenhouse are often damp. Guests should wear appropriate footwear.

1 p.m.: Guided Museum Tour

House and History: Cheekwood as a Country Place Estate

Cheekwood is one of the nation's finest examples of an early 20th Century Country Place Era Estate. Join one of Cheekwood's expert docents to discover the history of the Cheek family and explore Cheekwood's place in the country estate era.

2 p.m.: Drawing Room Concert Series featuring Blair School of Music

Enjoy live music by some of Nashville's most talented musicians in the Museum's intimate Drawing Room. Cheekwood is honored to partner with Vanderbilt's Blair School of Music to offer this fabulous spring concert series. All concerts take place from 2 until 3 p.m.

Sunday, April 1: John Johns, Guitar

Sunday, April 8: Ars Nova Quartet

Sunday, April 15: Blakemore Trio, Violin, cello and piano

Sunday, April 22: Lauren Coplan, Piano

Sunday, April 29: Christian Teal and Jennifer McGuire, Violin and piano

For more details, call 615-356-8000 or visit www.cheekwood.org.