Knoxville Botanical Gardens: A Perfect Day for Seniors
Viewing senior wellness through the lens of positive aging presents more opportunities to boost cognitive function, mental health, and socialization.
A study published by the National Library of Medicine also notes the benefits of gardening for positive aging outcomes. Positive aging aims to preserve physical and cognitive functionality while decreasing the risks of age-related illnesses. The study highlights the value of gardens connecting seniors to the past and the possibilities of lowering the risk of osteoporosis.
The Knoxville Botanical Gardens allows seniors to enjoy all the benefits of gardens, including fresh air, vitamin D, light walking, and social activity. Discover more ideas for senior activities in Knoxville.
Visiting the Botanical Gardens
The Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum is a free public garden run by a local nonprofit organization. The entire outdoor attraction spans 44 acres of land.
Senior visitors enjoy the following features:
- Beautiful stone walls and structures
- Classic architecture
- Unique garden displays
- Peaceful walking trails
- Fascinating horticultural processes
The garden is open daily and hosts several weekly public activities, from relaxing meditation to plant sales. These activities are ideal for positive senior aging programs.
Botanical Garden Events for Seniors
The local botanical gardens offer some of the best things to do in Knoxville for seniors. The nonprofit website posts an updated calendar of events.
Seniors and caretakers looking for free meditation sessions will be happy to discover the Knoxville Botanical Gardens' sound bath meditation classes. These hour-long sessions are hosted by holistic professionals trained in sound bath meditation. The Gardens are the ideal location for the healing sounds of sound baths.
The Cleveland Clinic also notes the mental and physical benefits of sound baths, especially for sleep. After a sound bath, seniors may experience muscle relaxation, improved mood health, and stress reduction.
Walking trail tours are offered regularly. These tours are led by garden directors, horticulturalists, or other trained professionals. The Dogwood trail is particularly popular with visitors and has the perfect amount of light walking for seniors.
The Botanical Gardens is the ideal spot for a local symphony. Check the calendar for any upcoming evening performances. These performances are free and perfect for senior living field trips, family outings, and senior social clubs.
Local seniors also enjoy the garden's popular plant sales, especially in spring. It's a great opportunity to refresh those garden beds or discover new plants for windowsill gardens.
Seniors who also donate to the Botanical Gardens may enjoy periodic galas and dinners for donors and volunteers.
Senior-friendly Parks to Enjoy at the Botanical Gardens
The Botanical Gardens has plenty of space to enjoy a light lunch or beverage with friends and family. Seating is available throughout the attraction and there is also a gift shop to browse and purchase souvenirs.
There are currently 19 gardens to enjoy at the Knoxville Botanical Gardens and Arboretum. Visitors are encouraged to book tours to get the most out of their visit which includes a rich history of the gardens. Garden maps are also available for self-guided tours.
The Dogwood Walking Trail
This garden is one of the most popular attractions in the botanical garden. It features one of the most impressive collections of dogwoods in the state. This trail begins at the former location of the Howell Nursery and includes over 20 different varieties of dogwood tree species; at one point, the garden hosted 50 varieties!
The special irrigation system keeps this garden particularly wet and luscious, creating the ideal conditions for dogwood and seep plants. Some of the garden's rarest plants can be found in the seep garden. Seniors will be happy to discover a beautiful native fern garden at the end of the Dogwood Walking Trail.
Enchanting Spaces at the Knoxville Botanical Gardens
Next to the Dogwood Walking Trail, visitors love the enchanting bamboo gardens. This serene area is a relaxing spot for seniors and families. Follow the natural stone wall throughout the garden for a tranquil, light walk.
The native medicinal garden is bursting with color. It contains some of the oldest plants in the region. Here, seniors can learn more about the garden's medicinal properties and the history of Cherokee medicinal practices.
Fans of the classic book The Secret Garden love this namesake garden. This senior-accessible garden features a walkable paved path and an impressive variety of flowers and plants. It's easily the most popular garden and offers plenty of senior-friendly benches.
This secret garden features a fragrant herb garden with such favorites as lavender, rosemary, and yarrow herbs. Visitors also enjoy the garden's Cypress, Cherry Laurel, and Arborvitae trees. A free mini library is also available for visitors who wish to read in the garden, as well as public artworks.
The Martha H. Ashe Garden is a truly enchanting plot of land featuring distinct stone roundhouse.
Plant species include:
- Irises
- Exotic evergreens
- Crepe myrtle
- Hydrangeas
- Azaleas
- Lilac
- Witch hazel
After enjoying this garden, remember to check out the Howell Legacy Garden when it debuts its new plant collection in 2025. This beloved space will feature distinct hardscaping and fountains made from millstone.
The Paulk Peony Garden
Another vibrant piece of the property is the popular peony garden. This space features more than 100 different species of peony flowers, creating a lush, colorful, and fragrant experience for seniors. These types of sensory experiences help stimulate tactile memory.
There is plenty of space for family picnics, reading, sewing, and drawing. These flowers are in bloom from spring to summer and grow among fresh evergreens. Popular species include coral bells, Black-eyed Susans, and New England Asters.
Discover the Best Outdoor Attractions in Knoxville
The Knoxville community offers a world of activities and experiences for active seniors. Visiting the Knoxville Botanical Gardens is the perfect start to an enriching senior schedule. It offers everything from light exercise to sensory experiences.
The Pointe at Lifespring understands the importance of gardens near Knoxville for seniors and similar experiences. We curate a monthly calendar packed with games, social hours, outings, exercise, and more. Senior living apartments are also designed to promote independence, safety, and wellness.
The Pointe at Lifespring leadership team brings two decades of senior living experience to the Knoxville community. We're professionals in skilled nursing, senior recreation, culinary arts, wellness, and memory care.
Book a tour of our community to learn more about our approach!