Cornelia B. Holland’s
Tranquility Garden
Located at Franklin, Tennessee
Dreams do come true in many ways. Ever since I moved to Franklin, I was always drawn to look at one particular garden every time I drove by Hillsboro Road near downtown Franklin. I made it a point to drive slowly as I admired the beautiful flowers and plants surrounding the front and around the house. I often wondered if the front garden is the indication, then I can’t even imagine what it looks like in the backyard.
Then lo and behold, I was so excited to see that this particular garden was listed in the garden tour for the Tennessee Perennial Plant Society about 3 years ago. Needless to say, it was the only garden that I made sure I didn’t miss going to.
I vividly remembered the first time I walked up the driveway, of now known Tranquility Garden. It was like stepping into a piece of heaven on earth, my heart skips a bit just as I was looking around the beautiful, and luscious garden. As we approach the hostess at the garden entrance, I was thrilled to meet the gardener herself for the first time. I was immediately drawn to this wonderful lady who shares the love and passion for plants. We chatted as if we have already known each other for a long time. I felt I met my long lost sister from another mother! Before long, she introduced me to a Rohdea plant that I never known or heard before.
When my husband and I stopped by to say goodbye to Ms. Cornelia at the end of the garden tour, she handed me a gift of a Rohdea plant. I was surprised, but excited about the unexpected gift.
That particular day was the beginning of my friendship with Ms. Cornelia, I made sure I took up on her invitation to come back and visit because I couldn’t get enough of the Tranquility garden. It was indeed peaceful to just sit, and relax under the tall canopy of trees. Whether you’re in the front or backyard, it was nice to be surrounded by shade-tolerant plants such as hostas, camellias, azaleas, ferns, hydrangeas, Japanese maples, and of course, rohdeas.
I have enjoyed my visits and having tea with Ms. Cornelia, sharing our life stories together and of course talking about plants. She is a wealth of knowledge, especially when it comes to her at least 700 varieties of Hosta collection, and the different species of Rohdea plants (I would specifically feature all about Rohdea plants separately).
Her love and passion as a Hosta grower led her to donate about 600 hostas from her garden collection to the University of Tennessee Gardens in Knoxville, now known as Tranquility – The Cornelia B. Holland Hosta Garden. Her generosity was also extended to Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum where she gave another 100 hostas last fall.
I am blessed to have met a friend, a fellow gardener, and a mentor who shares the same passion for plants. The pictures taken do not do justice, but hoping it would give you a glimpse of Tranquility. Please go check out the Photo Gallery for more of the garden pictures.
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, the State Botanical Garden of Tennessee presenting the video of Tranquility – The Cornelia B Holland Hosta Garden the newest addition to the UT Gardens in Knoxville, Tennessee. Born from the extensive Hosta collection of Cornelia Holland, Tranquility is very much an extension of its eclectic donor with over 500 varieties of Hosta and an “east meets west” motif.
4 thoughts on “Tranquility Garden”
Beautiful. Never knew it was there. I love Hostas, but so do my “deer” friends and squirrels. 😁
Hi Sharon, thanks for your feedback. Yes, it’s really peaceful there you never know it’s right beside the busy street. I totally understand about deer friends and squirrels!!!
I actually had deer last spring for the first time in 30 years when the Mack Hatcher road expansion was started. It destroyed a lot of foliage located around the Harpeth River. We enclosed the garden with taped that was sprayed with a product called Deer Stop. Don’t know if that helped, or if the road work just pushed them deeper into the woods, but I’ve not seen them since. Realized I had a deer problem instead of a rabbit problem when one left me a present of “deer poop” on the carport!
I think the deer population are confused with all the road construction around the area but thankfully they didn’t devoured your hostas when they passed through your garden.