Knoxville’s pink dogwood has an unusual deep color-almost red. All these deep pink trees are commercially grafted, but the unusual color is caused by our naturally acidic soil. There is a native wild pink dogwood; several examples may be seen along the trails. This wild pink dogwood is very pale pink-the merest flush of color on white. Nurserymen used trees such as these to create the commercial pink dogwood. They grafted pink branches on the roots of the white dogwood stock, thus creating pink dogwood blossoms.
RED BUD (Judas tree)
The red bud is a native wild flowering tree whose rosy purple blossoms are shaped like miniature sweet peas.
Other foliage to look for:
Trees:
Crabapples-native and special varieties of: Alba, Bechtel (pale pink) and Almey (deep rosy red)
Cherry-weeping cherry, Japanese cherry
Pawlonia-large tree with lavender blossoms-like giant lilacs
Shrubs:
Azaleas, Kolquitzia, Duetzia, Lilacs, Pearl Bush, Mock Orange, Spireas, Viburnums and Lantana
Garden flowers:
Phlox subulata, tulips, evergreen candytuft, narcissus, primrose, pansies, early rose, wisteria and iris (Tennessee’s state flower)
Wild flowers:
Wild blue phlox, wild geranium, violets, may apples, bluets, wild mustard and wild poppies (buttercups)
2007 Dogwood Trail Recap
Trails open Wednesday, April 11, 2007
BUS TOURS:
April 13 – 15, 11:30 & 2:30
All three days to Farragut and to the Farragut Trail. Small tour buses will leave Market Square twice daily for a leisurely tour of the Trail. This is a free event, but tickets are required, and will be available on Market Square.
WALKING TOUR
4th & Gill Neighborhood. (Details to follow)
The inspiration for the Dogwood Arts Festival, beautiful city and country nature trails showcase East Tennessee’s beauty and the Dogwood tree. The nationally recognized Dogwood trails cover over 70 miles throughout Knox County and Oak Ridge. The scenic drive, populated with landmark homes and gardens, travels along Kingston Pike, Lyons View Pike, Northshore Road, and Sherwood Drive through Sequoyah Hills and the Westmoreland area. All the trails are open for touring and photography. Free, guided bus tours start out from Festival venues for the Knoxville trails, but many people often prefer the pace of a self-guided tour. Local residential gardens are also open for leisurely strolls and easy viewing. Pink and green lines painted on trail streets will be your guides. The local trails also provide splendid scenery for bike rides, jogs, or family walks. |
