Howe Wildflower Garden, Cheekwood Botanical Gardens & Museum of Art

In 1969, the Garden Club of Nashville relocated club member Mrs. Harry A. (Cora) Howe’s famous wildflower garden from her home to the Cheekwood Botanical Gardens after her and her husband’s passing. For the previous 40 years, Mrs. Howe had opened her eight acre garden, Wildings, to the public where it was not uncommon to find 2,000 visitors a day. The transplant crew relocated a garden house, boulders and walls alongside native plants, trees and extensive plant material. Despite differences in soil conditions and lack of shade trees, the garden flourished.

The 1983 Founders Fund Award provided a separate area for the propagation and distribution of endangered species. The Garden Club of Nashville has continued to support the Howe Garden underwriting its maintenance and improvement with funds raised by the annual Howe Wild Auction & Plant Fair, Rare Plant Auction and other activities. From 2011-2012 using Mrs. Howe’s original 1922 plans, the Howe Garden at Cheekwood received a complete renovation including a remodeling of the original Wildings garden and the addition of a state-of-the-art rain garden which allows for 30 percent more water to soak into the ground, helping to recharge groundwater supply and prevent runoff. Critically endangered Torrea trees, the original thatched roof tool shed, a natural stone amphitheater and the original 1931 Wemys /Kerrigan iron gates are now all a part of the refurbished Howe Garden at Cheekwood.

Because of the 1983 Founders Fund Award, Howe Gardens is able to encourage the propagation, distribution, conservation and use of native plants in the landscape, as well as foster knowledge and appreciation of plants in their native habitats.