The following is a press release:
All you need is love and 250,000 blooming bulbs to celebrate the spring season at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens.
The centerpiece of Cheekwood’s annual beloved springtime festival, Cheekwood in Bloom, is thousands of tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths swirling through the Bradford Robertson Color Garden and spilling out across the estate. From bright yellow and white daffodils, to pink, red, orange, yellow, lilac and apricot tulips and white and pink flowering dogwoods, the bold shades of spring will warm the heart.
In addition, a world-renowned sculpture will take center stage on the front lawn of the Historic Mansion and capture the hearts of visitors. Robert Indiana’s iconic “LOVE” sculpture is regarded as one of the most celebrated works in the pop art movement. The 8-foot-tall eye-catching piece features large, stacked letters with a slanted “O” spelling out the word LOVE. It is the second feature of the Cheekwood Masterpiece Art Series, continuing a tradition of bringing high-quality masterworks to Nashville. In a variety of colors, sizes, and languages Indiana’s LOVE sculptures have been exhibited all over the world spreading messages of peace, unity, and joy for all.
Guests will also feel the love throughout the five-week seasonal festival during musical performances in the Beer Garden each weekend and a variety of workshops and weekend festivities.
Cheekwood in Bloom takes place March 8 through April 13, 2025.
“Throughout 2025, you will find the spirit of love woven into every corner of Cheekwood as we celebrate the ways art, nature, and community intersect,” said Cheekwood President and CEO Jane MacLeod. “As we embark on this love-filled journey and extraordinary year of programming, we want to thank the community for decades of support and reinforce Cheekwood’s love and gratitude for Nashville.”
Cheekwood in Bloom is presented by HCA Healthcare.
Masterpiece Art Series: Robert Indiana’s Iconic “LOVE” Sculpture at Cheekwood March 8 – November 2
In partnership with Pace Gallery and The Robert Indiana Legacy Initiative, Cheekwood is
proud to present Robert Indiana’s iconic “The American LOVE (White Blue Red)” sculpture throughout Cheekwood in Bloom, summer festivals, and Cheekwood Harvest.
Robert Indiana’s “LOVE” first appeared in 1964 as a holiday card the artist designed for friends. The following year, the Metropolitan Museum of Art selected the design for its official holiday card and since that time, the stacked four letters have become a cultural icon.
The first “LOVE” sculpture debuted in 1966 in New York as a 12-inch hand-cut aluminum work. In 1970, the monumental “LOVE” sculpture was fabricated, and the 8-foot-tall sculpture variation, which was conceived in 1966 and fabricated in 1999, will be view on the Mansion lawn.
Cheekwood’s 2025 Masterpiece Art Series and LOVE Campaign is underwritten by the Marlene and Spencer Hays Foundation.
Music In the Beer Garden
Weekends | March 8 – April 27 | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Celebrate the sights and sounds of spring in the Cheekwood Beer Garden with an outing featuring the best of Nashville’s food, music, and drinks. Enjoy live performances by top regional bands from 12 p.m. to 2:15 p.m., indulge in delicious bites from the city’s favorite food trucks, and sip on refreshing beverages in a relaxed, outdoor setting. Grab a picnic table or bring a blanket and indulge in the spring scenery.
Scheduled Musical Performances:
• March 8: Chris Walters Trio
• March 9: Jeff Picker
• March 15: Charles Treadway Organ Trio
• March 16: Parker James, Paul DeFiglia & Charles Breaux
• March 23: Carmen Dianne
• March 29: Austin John Organ Trio
• March 30: Yates McKendree
• April 5: Brenna MacMillan
• April 6: John England and the Western Swingers
• April 12: Denny Jiosa
• April 13: Sunny Dada & his AfrikokoRoot Afrobeat Ensemble
• April 20: Explorers Club
• April 26: Volcano Brothers
• April 27: Les Sabler
The Cheekwood Gardening School
Develop a new skill, meet like-minded horticulturists, and expand your gardening abilities with help from the Cheekwood Gardening School. Whether you are just
beginning as a home gardener or looking to expand your planting repertoire, learn from experienced instructors from regional plant societies, local Master Gardeners, and Cheekwood’s own staff. See the full list of classes and register at
Gardening Checklist: Prepping Your Spring Beds
March 15 | 9:30 a.m. | Peter Grimaldi, Vice President of Gardens & Facilities at Cheekwood
Get your garden ready for the season with step-by-step instructions for how to clean, amend, and prepare your soil for successful planting this spring.
Organic Pest Control Strategies
March 15 | 12 p.m. | Madeline Roberson
Discover eco-friendly methods to prevent and manage pests, from how to make natural repellents to companion planting, ensuring a healthy start for your spring beds.
Supporting Native Pollinators
March 29 | 9:30 a.m. | Ian Dawe, The Honey Collective
Learn how to attract and sustain bees, butterflies, and other pollinators by incorporating native plants and creating pollinator-friendly habitats.
Spring Vegetable Gardening
March 29 | 12 p.m. | James Hearn, Master Gardeners of Middle TN
Grow your own fresh produce this year with expert strategies for planting, tending, and harvesting a variety of vegetables suited for the spring season.
Designing with Spring Annuals
April 5 | 9:30 a.m. | Peter Grimaldi, Vice President of Gardens & Facilities at Cheekwood
Discover how to select, arrange, and care for spring annuals to create stunning flower beds, containers, and borders and add vibrant color to your garden this season.
Ask a Gardener: Native Plants
April 12 | 9:30 a.m. | Sage McClain and Sean Stoyko, Cheekwood Horticulturists Bring questions about your own garden to Cheekwood’s gardening staff for a more individualized course on Native Plants.
Ask a Gardener: Landscape Design Strategies
April 12 | 10:45 a.m. | Sage McClain and Sean Stoyko, Cheekwood Horticulturists Bring questions about your own garden to Cheekwood’s gardening staff for a more individualized course on Landscape Design.
Ask a Gardener: Eco-Friendly Gardening
April 12 | 12 p.m. | Sage McClain and Sean Stoyko, Cheekwood Horticulturists Bring questions about your own garden to Cheekwood’s gardening staff for a more individualized course on Eco-Friendly Gardening.
Designing with Trees: The Carell Dogwood Garden
April 26 | 9:30 a.m. | Peter Grimaldi, Vice President of Gardens & Facilities at Cheekwood
Get some Arbor Day inspiration for your garden landscape. Learn about the incredible diversity of the dogwood family and gain insight into how to protect, design with, and care for these incredible plants.
The Nashville Tree Canopy
April 26 | 12 p.m. | Sage McClain, Plant Collections Manager at Cheekwood Explore the benefits trees provide to Nashville’s environment, the challenges facing the city’s canopy, and how you can contribute to its growth and preservation.
The Cheekwood Gardening School is presented by Tractor Supply.
Spring Afternoon Tea in Café 29
March 11 – April 10 | Tuesdays & Thursdays | 3 – 4:30 p.m.
Cheekwood’s popular Afternoon Tea continues with a new spring menu of refreshing seasonal teas and delicious sweet and savory bites. Treat your friends and family to a special outing of tableside service for parties of 2 or 4 people. Tea service is $50 per person for Cheekwood members and $50 plus the cost of a Gardens and Mansion admission ticket for non-members. Reserve tickets at cheekwood.org
Holi
March 22 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The Hindu “Festival of Spring” and “Festival of Colors” introduce visitors to the vibrant sights, sounds, and colors of Indian culture. It is the first of four multi-cultural festivals celebrated throughout the year at Cheekwood. The event features popular color throwing sessions where guests toss vibrant colored powder, or gulal, in the air or on themselves. There will also be hands-on activities for all ages, tasty fare from local food vendors, shopping opportunities, and music and dance performances. Holi activities are included with membership or general admission.
Holi is sponsored by HCA Healthcare, supported by Asurion, and funded by Cumberland Trust.
Middle Tennessee Daffodil Show
March 22 | 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
March 23 | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The Middle Tennessee Daffodil Society (MTDS) hosts the annual Middle Tennessee Daffodil Show, approved by the American Daffodil Society. The show in Massey
Auditorium inside Botanic Hall is open to the public and features divisions for horticulture, photography, and floral design.
Native Plant Sale
April 12 | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. or until plants are sold out
The Garden Club of Nashville’s 18th Annual Native Plant Sale in the Frist Learning Center will feature a variety of native plants, including azaleas. Experts will be available to answer questions about plant care. Proceeds benefit The Howe Garden at Cheekwood. For the best selection of plants, guests are encouraged to arrive early. A Gardens Only or Gardens + Mansion ticket needs to be reserved to access the sale.
Great Spring Art Hop
April 18 & 19 | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Hop into spring with a lively weekend filled with 48 egg hunts for children in every age group. In addition to egg hunts featuring 36,000 eggs throughout the weekend, guests can go on a scavenger hunt for larger-than-life bunny murals that are created by Nashville artists and hidden throughout the gardens, and enjoy local food trucks, musical performances and more.
The Great Spring Art Hop is presented by HCA Healthcare.
Dogs & Dogwoods
April 26 & 27 | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Dogs & Dogwoods is happening in tandem with Arbor Day, and during this event, guests can bring their four-legged best friends to Cheekwood all weekend and enjoy a springtime stroll through the Carell Dogwood Garden. Festivities also include dog vendors, food trucks, and musical performances in the Beer Garden.
Arbor Day
April 26 | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Cheekwood’s nationally accredited Arboretum is the perfect setting to immerse yourself in the beauty and wonder of trees. In honor of Tennessee’s beloved native tree species, the dogwood, the first 500 visitors can take home a dogwood tree sapling to plant at home. Guests can also peruse books about trees, try their luck at tree trivia, view closeup images of a dogwood flower via a microscope, and take a dogwood-themed art class.
Spring Adult Workshops
Adult Hands-On Workshops at Cheekwood are inspired by Cheekwood’s gardens and seasonal exhibitions. From traditional crafts to contemporary techniques, each workshop offers the chance to make something new under the guidance of an expert instructor. Whether you’re an experienced artist, developing a new skill, or looking for a fun outing with friends and family, the workshops provide an opportunity to unleash your creativity
and connect with local artists. See the full list of classes and register at https://cheekwood.org/learn/adult-education-programs/seasonal-workshops/
Gourd Birdhouses
March 15 | 1 p.m. | April Greene
Learn how to clean, carve, and decorate natural gourds, transforming them into unique, eco-friendly birdhouses that blend creativity with environmental conservation.
Bee Houses
April 5 | 10 a.m. | J.R. Ramsey
Support local pollinators by building your very own bee house. Learn how to design, assemble, clean, and maintain these sustainable homes to support the natural ecosystem of your garden or backyard.
Advance reservations are required for spring events at Cheekwood. For the latest on ticket prices and to purchase tickets visit cheekwood.org.
