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Historic
East Knox garden being brought to life; Area turned into botanical
paradise The Knoxville Botanical Gardens and Arboretum at 2743 Wimpole Ave. made the leap from dream to reality two months ago when a group of concerned citizens purchased 16 acres that were part of the Joe N. Howell Nursery Inc. in East Knoxville. Though somewhat overgrown, the Botanical Garden and Arboretum is already a garden-lover's paradise, graced by acres of mature trees and exotic shrubbery, many now in bloom. All are set against an exquisite backdrop of finely built fieldstone walls, four cylindrical gatehouses, a stonewalled greenhouse and a patio. A resident caretaker lives in a house on the property, which is divided by grassy drives that once welcomed a constant flow of customers to the 216-year-old property. The Howell Nursery was established in 1786 when David Wessells Howell received a land grant from North Carolina. Tennessee became a state 10 years later. The Joe N. Howell Nursery Inc. was established in 1942 on property adjacent to the land grant. The garden board purchased 16 acres of the nursery from Jenny Jukes of West Knoxville, daughter of the late Joe Howell. The board is negotiating to purchase the adjoining 34-acre nursery from C.B. Howell. Jim McDonough, a West Knoxville building contractor, was the driving force behind the project. "I had been enchanted by the old nursery for years," McDonough said. Just over a year ago he learned from a friend and neighbor of the nursery, Marvin Goss, that the property was for sale. "It would have been a tragedy for this to have become a subdivision or apartment complex," McDonough said. He soon found a compatriot in Jim Cortese, who had similar dreams for the historic gardens. A board of prominent Knoxvillians and gardeners was quickly pulled together. Several residents of the surrounding neighborhood are also on the board, including Heiskell Hamilton, who has lived just across the street from the gardens for 35 years. "My wife, Beatrice, and I were so concerned about what was going to happen to it. When we learned it was going to be a botanical garden, we were ecstatic," Hamilton said. In fact, he said, the entire community surrounding the garden is excited. "It will bring the communities in Knoxville together. It will bring people from all areas," including tourists and touring garden lovers, who will help Knoxville's economy. Hamilton noted that the botanical garden is just a short distance from the new golf course on Brooks Road and the Caswell Park baseball complex, which is expected to bring many visiting groups from outside the area. Add to that the expansive Eastside YMCA to be built in the next year and the immensely popular Holston River Park, and "East Knoxville is making a comeback," Hamilton said. The botanical garden and arboretum are being supported by a dozen or so private individuals and foundations, but will need much more support in the future to fuel the hopes and dreams of McDonough and the board. They plan to bring in nationally and internationally noted garden designers to plan a series of interconnected pleasure gardens. They hope to add sculptures, water elements and possibly an amphitheater suitable for festivals or concerts. McDonough plans to set up an educational program for schoolchildren, who are already involved in helping maintain the garden. A University of Tennessee student pursuing a master's degree has been recruited to identify every tree, plant and shrub on the property and tag them, and a consultant from the Chanticleer Gardens in Wayne, Pa., is "helping us define our mission," he said. McDonough said most of the garden and arboretum is now open during daytime hours, and visitors are welcome to come and walk the grounds. "We hope the Knoxville Botanical Gardens and Arboretum will foster a deeper appreciation of the natural world, enriching our spiritual lives by connecting us to the soil and the living things it produces and nurtures."
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