Fernweh, An Ache for Distant Places

 

UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE GARDENS
Prior to 2013, Tennessee had no official state garden, so it was a major honour when UT Gardens was named the official State Botanical Garden of  Tennessee in 2013.

It shares this title shared with two other “sister gardens” in Crossville and Jackson, TN now.

This location in Knoxville is part of the University of Tennessee campus near Neyland Stadium.

As you enter the gardens from the parking lot, there is a large stone patio with pond basins full of beautiful water lilies, horsetail, and other reeds.

I had never seen a red water lily until I visited, so be on the lookout for the rare and unexpected.

The vast patio also has art installations and various succulent displays.

GARDEN COLLECTIONS
From there, visit the variety of plant collections like the  Beall Family Rose Garden & Koi pond, the Kitchen Garden, Rock Garden, Wetland Garden, Children’s Garden, Iris Garden, the Labyrinth, various Annual and Perennial Gardens, the Conifer Collection, Hosta Garden, Arboretum, greenhouses and other features.

They are not all labeled in the most obvious or distinguishing manner, but you can usually tell where each theme is concentrated.

Be on the lookout for the many sculptures and memorials on the grounds, too.

BEALL FAMILY ROSE GARDEN
The Beall Family Rose Garden is one of the most popular features of the garden because it has a soothing waterfall the descends alongside a staircase in the center, each side pooling into a small pond full of happy orange and white koi.

You can usually post up by the water for a while and relax to the sounds of trickling water, watch the fish play and swim back and forth, or admire all the water lilies and other plant foliage.

This area is very popular for photoshoots, small gatherings, and even large events that are hosted or approved by the garden officials.

I have seen at least a dozen different types of pink, red, purple, fuschia, orange, peach, yellow, white, and even lavender roses.

 

There are a few exotic plants around the patio sometimes like this giant bromeliad type where a tree frog has made its home, and various palms.

KITCHEN GARDEN
The kitchen garden is my personal favourite

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As an herbalist and amateur chef, it is cool to see how various plants and vegetables grow in different stages, especially compared to my own, and I have learned a few tricks about plant care by seeing what the gardeners have done here. 

There are a few seating areas for larger groups or study groups in this area also.

WETLANDS GARDEN
Follow the boardwalk around a small pond covered in duck weed.

The little pond is surrounded by all kinds of reeds and water plants, and who knows what lies below its surface.

ROCK GARDEN
The Rock Garden is nearest to the greenhouses, forming a rough-and-tumble boundary of the garden path.

The succulents here are just as luscious as the ones we saw in Phoenix last year, despite vastly different climates.

CONIFER GARDEN
I will admit that even after a few dozen visits over the years, I am not convinced that there is one specific Conifer Garden. I think they are just implemented among the perimeters and other gardens, especially the Rock Garden.

Be on the lookout for exquisite textures, sharp pine needles, and crisp scents.

IRIS GARDEN & THE LABYRINTH
UT Gardens has its own labyrinth, surrounded by an Iris Garden and a shaded trellis path. You can smell jasmine, lavender, and other soothing scents around you as you mediate on the labyrinth.

CHILDREN’S GARDEN
Giant wind chimes sing from a canopy of low-hanging branches over bushes and sculptures that pull you into the Children’s Garden.

You may feel inclined to accompany it on some of the hand drums and percussion stands nearby.

A steep running hill with a tunnel underneath, a Charlotte’s Web made of climbing rope, and other fun obstacles are all around for entertainment.

The Children’s Garden is full of sculptures and whimsical monuments, moreso than the other garden collections.

There is a mini garden within called the Animal Garden, where each plant is named after an animal or animal part like Snake Plant, Lamb’s Ear, and Bee Balm.

HOSTA GARDEN
Many other plants blended into the hosta garden, especially ferns, but some of these hosta varieties are enormous.

THE ARBORETUM
I really love wandering through the trees of the garden just as much as the plants. There are lots of little side trails and quiet nooks to sit and think or craft, journal or read.

I especially love this Monarch Butterfly bench tucked away under a canopy of branches.

In August of 2024, UT Gardens hosted a special exhibit on dragonflies, complete with fun facts about these beauties, their life cycles, size records, and other interesting tidbits.

You will see temporary “test” gardens or seasonal patches pop up from time to time, like this gorgeous white hibiscus in their giant hibiscus garden.

You really never know what you might find, or find a little of in each different garden.

It was here that I first saw this type of gnarly tree that is now a close tie to my favourite Monkey Puzzle tree.

PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
UT has offered a Horticulture Therapy Outreach program since 2012. Participants can engage onsite or you can book an event at your facility. They work closely with area organizations that support individuals with intellectual, mental health, and disability or mobility struggles, senior living centers, and other community services.

Various events are hosted on site through the year like youth and summer camps, specialized classes, galas, and planting sessions.

PLANNING AHEAD
My first visit to UT Gardens was several years ago, on the same day as a UT football game.

Parking and navigation of this peaceful site was made extremely frustrating because of tailgaters. Loud, drunken football fans like to spend their entire day in the garden’s shared free parking lot to blast awful music, fill the air with cigarette smoke, pee in obscured corners, and leave garbage everywhere. They show up hours before the game even starts, and block employees and visitors from finding a reasonable place to park. 

I have visited the gardens more than dozen more times on days with no football games and am usually one of the few people around, free to enjoy the quiet and peace of the gardens. Just plan ahead by avoiding the football game days, and you will have a wonderful time. 

To learn more about the Botanical Gardens, how to become a member or donate to support the ongoing projects, visit the website here.

In the area for a while? Follow me to some of Knoxville’s cool neighbourhoods like the Old Sevier District, Old North, Marble City, Fountain City, Inskip, East Side, and South Knox (the latter two are in progress).

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