One of Knoxville’s Premier Private Gardens Opens to the Public for One Weekend Only

KNOXVILLE, TN – Dogwood Arts will host a Winter Featured Garden event at Savage Garden, owned by Patti Cooper and Bill Dohm, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on March 14 and noon to 5 p.m. March 15 located at 3237 Garden Dr., Knoxville, TN 37918.

Savage Garden is one of Knoxville’s premier private gardens featuring eight distinctive garden zones: including two water towers, ancient waterfalls and ponds, century-old trees, and a Japanese pagoda. The house and its garden are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Winter reveals the extensive structures of Savage Garden and features thousands of snowdrops, daffodils, wood hyacinths, and other flowering bulbs.

Tours are self-guided with Dogwood Arts staff and volunteers on-site for questions.

This event is free, though a $5 donation is suggested to maintain and expand the Dogwood Trails & Gardens Program, which will be celebrating 65 years in 2020.

Savage Garden was inspired by Arthur Savage’s visit to his native England. He then began building stone walls, ponds, arbors, and multiple follies. Savage became known as “the father of rock gardening in Knoxville.” The garden is quirky and eclectic, combining multiple themes. Although the main arbors and pagoda reflect a Japanese influence, the latter is topped with a “Dutch Girl” weathervane and there are two “Irish” water towers. After many years of extensive restoration, including rebuilding stone walls and borders, constructing faithful copies of the original arbors and gates, and planting thousands of trees, shrubs, and perennials, Savage Garden is once again the kind of magical place envisioned by Arthur Savage.

Please note: This garden requires uphill walking on dirt and stone; comfortable shoes recommended. For accessibility questions, call 865-637-4561.

Dogwood Arts, presented by ORNL Federal Credit Union, is a 501(c)3 organization with a mission to promote and celebrate the region’s art, culture, and natural beauty.

For more information, visit www.dogwoodarts.com or call 865-637-4561.