NASHVILLE, Tenn. - By this late in March the flowers at Cheekwood are normally in full bloom. The botanical garden manager says mother nature's giving them the cold shoulder this year. That's delaying what promises to be an explosion of Spring color. Cheekwood is something of an urban oasis in West Nashville. For over a month, staffers have been hard at work preparing for Spring. Right now, most of that work is hidden.

"We have 55,000 tulips in the ground, but as we like to say at Cheekwood, you cannot control the weather," says Cheekwood's Hillary Steinwinder.

We've had plenty of rain. The problem is the sun. We haven't seen enough of it, and that's slowing down the natural order of things.

"Last year we were very, very early, so we think they're gonna be a little bit late this year, but not extremely late," says Botanical Garden Manager Leighanne Lomax. "I'm anticipating right now the tulips will be in full bloom in about 10 days to 2 weeks."

The daffodils are already in full bloom and so are the violas, all 19,000 of them. This season, for the first time, you'll be able to enjoy Cheekwood at night. Crews are putting together the finishing touches on lights in the historic gardens. For now, think warm thoughts and tulips in shades of yellow and red.

"The longer it takes them to bloom, the taller and more beautiful they'll be," says Steinwinder.

Those 55,000 tulips are over twice what Cheekwood had last year. For hours and events, go to Fox17.com, click on FOX LINKS and look for CHEEKWOOD.
Cold Affects Thousands of Flowers at Cheekwood