Spring Featured Gardens to showcase nine unique properties in Knoxville
Published April 12, 2023

Spectacular private gardens open to the public
for one weekend only

Saturday, April 15th: 10AM-5PM | Sunday, April 16th: 12PM-4PM

Dogwood Arts featured garden; Kristen Bright Photography

KNOXVILLE -- The public is invited to experience nine spectacular private gardens during the Dogwood Arts Spring Featured Gardens event, April 15-16, 2023. The event will feature GATOP (God’s Answer To Our Prayers) in East Knoxville, five ‘pocket’ gardens in the Historic 4th & Gill neighborhood, and three beautiful properties along the North Hills Dogwood Trail. Each garden is unique in design and offers a variety of plant material and special features. From front yard container gardens to a 20+ acre property complete with water features, outdoor sculptures, and the largest collection of conifers in the Southeast — this year’s Featured Gardens showcases the full range of natural beauty present in our community.

Tours are self-guided, although Master Gardeners and Dogwood Arts staff will be on-site to answer questions. A $5 cash donation per stop is suggested. These gardens require walking on uneven paths and are not handicap accessible; comfortable or hiking shoes are recommended. Since these are private residences, there is limited on-site parking; guests will be admitted on a first-come-first-served basis.

A young boy explores the GATOP garden; Kristen Bright Photography

A man relaxes in the GATOP garden; Kristen Bright Photography

GATOP (God’s Answer To Our Prayers): Owner Dr. Alan Solomon 2643 Delrose Drive, Knoxville, TN 37914

Included in the Smithsonian Institution’s Archives of American Gardens, God's Answer To Our Prayers (GATOP) is the private garden of Dr. Alan Solomon, a retired Knoxville oncologist who is known nationally for his pioneering work on the treatment of amyloid-related diseases. While he built his career in medicine, he found his true passion working in the garden. The property features many hundreds of botanical specimens such as conifers (the largest collection in the Southeast) and hollies, extensive displays of wildflowers, perennials, and ground covers, as well as numerous water features and large marble outcroppings. Complimenting this unusual garden are stainless-steel, iron, bronze, and stone sculptures. The site also features one of Knoxville’s oldest marble quarries.

The Gardens of 4th & Gill
Free Parking available at Central United Methodist Church: 201 3rd Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37917*

*Guests must check-in here to receive a list of participating homes/gardens along the walking tour

Guests are invited to stroll through this historic neighborhood and explore five lovely urban gardens which make up “a necklace of gardens throughout the neighborhood,” each adding a jewel of its own. Gardens were elected upon aesthetic appeal, uniqueness, and spaces that speak to the passion of the gardeners.

● Garden Tour includes:

○ Central United Methodist Church - Pray & Play Garden (3rd Avenue)
■ Free Parking: Walking Tour begins here - pick up an information sheet from the Dogwood Arts tent at this location.
○ Garden of Cindy & Dave Kenny (Lovenia Avenue)
○ Garden of Gabrielle Boudreau & Gordon Coker (Eleanor Street)
○ Garden of Melynda & Bob Whetsel (Luttrell Street​)
○ Garden of Susan & Dan Howett (Luttrell Street​)

Gardens of North Hills; Kristen Bright Photography

The Gardens of North Hills
Neighborhood street parking only

Guests will enjoy bountiful dogwoods and other flowering shrubs in this historic neighborhood. As a Level 1 Arboretum, there are over 40 labeled species of trees and more than 400 individual trees.

● Garden Tour includes:
○ Garden of Lloyd Ronnie King (1629 North Hills Blvd, 37917)
■ Walking Tour begins here - pick up an information sheet from the Dogwood Arts tent at this location.
○ Peters-Mitchell Garden (2969 Kenilworth Lane, 37917)
○ The Claytor Garden (3033 Fountain Park Boulevard, 37917)

Dogwood Arts, presented by ORNL Federal Credit Union, is a 501(c)3 organization with a mission to promote and celebrate our region’s art, culture, and natural beauty. Find a full list of upcoming events at www.dogwoodarts.com/events.