This one-acre garden adjacent to the Hermitage and designed in the 19th century was a favorite spot of both Andrew and Rachel Jackson. Today, its beauty has only continued to blossom. Some of the flora, including several trees and flowering bulbs, were planted in Jackson’s time or are direct descendants of the originals. Old roses, peonies, iris, crape myrtles and other varieties of plants filled the garden then and still do today. In fact, if Andrew and Rachel Jackson were to walk the garden today they might feel right at home.
Something is in bloom nearly year round in the garden. In February, long before the last snow or frost, daffodils, crocuses and tulips begin their colorful dance. Fragrant hyacinths and more tulips appear in March, followed by grape hyacinths, fruit trees and flowing shrubs in full array. April brings the dogwood and iris and a full orchestra of white and pink peonies trails in May. Annuals, perennials and heirloom roses take over the summer months, some lasting long past December’s frost and snow. By January, in the rear of the garden’s center beds, the tiny, yellow, clove-fragrant blossoms of a winter honeysuckle bush bloom.
