John Butler and Jackie Wilson at Savage Garden last Sunday.
Arthur Savage, an Englishman, moved to America in 1886 when he was 14 years old to work for his older brother, William, who had a machine shop in Knoxville. Seven years later, Arthur formed a partnership and started a company of his own that manufactured flour mill machinery and, later, marble mill machines. It was located where World’s Fair Park now is.
Arthur Savage and his wife, Hortense, moved to Fountain City in July of 1917 — into a house whose backyard had no trees, just a sinkhole and a pigpen. Arthur Savage immediately started gardening, first just outside his back door. Within a year, however, he had an elaborate design of flower beds in the backyard and he planted a few trees, which grew rapidly.
Also within a year, Savage had the first of two water towers built and a series of ponds. After a trip back to England in 1925, Savage got ideas for an even larger pond, a pump house and an elaborate pagoda.
He put those ideas to use when he returned to his Fountain City home.
The beech tree was planted at Savage Garden in about 1919.
Earlier this week, supporters of the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum were treated to a private tour of Savage Garden by current owners Bill Dohm and Patty Cooper, who bought the Bungalow/Craftsman style house and 1.7-acre garden in 1986 from Arthur Savage’s descendants. And what an interesting couple of hours that was.
It seems that after Arthur Savage poured his heart and soul — and considerable financial resources — into his garden, things took a negative turn. The garden was said to have been at its peak between 1926 and 1930. But three things combined to cause it to fall slowly into disrepair. The Great Depression, which started in 1929, forced Savage to have to reduce and ultimately eliminate the time his longtime gardener, Charlie Davis, spent on the job. Then, in 1937, a tornado struck Fountain City, uprooting 19 trees in the garden. The destruction of these trees tore up the rock foundations in the garden and caused leaks in the ponds. And finally, Savage’s death in 1946 caused the gardens to become even more neglected.
During the next 50 years, the gardens were neglected, but they never were altered or abused. Wildflowers spread, as did English ivy and honeysuckle. The trees that remained grew tall and their canopies spread, causing the kinds of plants that would flourish in the gardens to change from sun-loving specimens to shade-dwellers.
Today, Dohm and Cooper, who also own and run the Garden Montessori School nearby, employ two full-time gardeners to work on the evolving Savage Garden, a real secluded gem just north of Fountain City Park, located at 3237 Garden Drive, a street named for Savage’s handiwork.
The greenhouse, where this stained glass is mounted, was built in 1926.
The wall around Savage Garden at 3237 Garden Drive. The garden is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Come on in!
A Ginkgo tree planted in 1919
Lots of trails traverse the 1.7-acre garden.
See the stone water tower in the distance?
Here it is up close.
Owner Bill Dohm discussing the history of Savage Garden.
A charming little stone bridge
When the garden was built in the early 20th century, Japanese art was very popular in America. Savage Garden reflects that influence.
All through the garden are appealing stone benches.
This is the fruit on a poncirus tree, also known as Chinese bitter orange. Because it is so bitter, it is not edible raw, but can be made into marmalade and used as a condiment. It is a popular ingredient in Oriental medicine.
A cute little moon-shaped pond
Betsey Bush, front, followed by Sandra Butler, Jennie and Bert Ritchie
Looking up inside the larger of the two water towers: a copper water tank.
Hearts-A-Bustin'
Brian Campbell, director of horticulture at the Knoxville Botanical Garden, and Betsey Bush
Andrea Cartwright, left, and Patty Cooper, one of the owners of Savage Garden
This big rock pile provides a spot for wildflowers to grow.
Mounds of flowers line the trails.
A closer look
Through the arch, heading to the bottom of the garden
Here's the arch from the other side.
Bill Dohm, left, and Dr. Alan Solomon
Mary Ann Piper, left, and Jennie Ritchie
More Japanese-inspired garden adornment
This is one year's growth on the banana tree. The leaves die off every year and rebloom.
The garden's signature structure is this large pagoda.
At the top of the pagoda, in the mortar between the large stones, are placed six little pebbles. Bill Dohm said that gardener Charlie Davis let his 6-year-old daughter collect and place the pebbles there in memory of her birthday.
These are stepping stones built to let visitors cross the pond when it was filled with water.
Another view of the stepping stones
Georgia and Dr. Lynn Blake
Taking a break, from left, Sam Adams, Brian Campbell, Joan Ashe, Andrea Cartwright and Patty Cooper
This arbor was added to the garden just a few years ago.
There you have it! Another secret that makes Knoxville such a fascinating place to live.
Nice column,Mox. I wonder how many other unknown (to most of us, anyway) jewels like this exist in Knoxville?
Thanks, Katie. I wonder the same thing!
I grew up in Fountain City, and my parents lived on Garden Drive until 2000. I can’t tell you how many times I passed — and admired — Savage Garden. Thanks for the tour of this treasure!
Wow, Candy, how interesting! I had no idea!
I grew up in Fountain City and had a friend who lived near Savage Garden. When we were children we spent a lot of time exploring the gardens, just certain that we’d unearth some hidden treasure. Turns out the “treasure” was right there with us all along. Thanks for reminding me of this special place and giving me an update on where it is today. As always, great reporting!
Wow, Michelle, what a wonderful thing it must have been to play there as a child! Lucky you!
I just visited this wonderful place about 2 weeks ago with a garden club. It is amazing the wonder that is right here in our little town. Southern Living is missing out!!!!
I have driven by these gardens for years, especially in my early years in Real Estate and I always wondered about them A re they open to the public,? I sure would like to tour. thanks for sharing. Fay
Gail: I totally agree!
Fay: There is a sign that directs visitors to check in at the Garden Montessori School. So I assume the public can tour. But check in to be sure.
I like the photo of the rock where the wildflowers are growing.
What a wonderful article!! I grew up on the property where the Montessori school stands today which was also where my father was raised. I walked the gardens as a child and I can still picture the huge Koi fish that swam in the pools. The arbors were covered in beautiful lavender wisteria. I was given permission to pick leaves from some of the more unusual trees to use for a leaf collection for school. Needless to say I received an A. Thanks so much for giving the history as there was much of it that I didn’t know.
I plan to take a tour very soon.
Thanks for sharing that, Patricia. It would have been a fantastic place to explore as a child – or as an adult!
Our son recently purchased a home in Shannondale. Visiting him, we came upon this beautiful and intriguing garden right in Fountain City. It’s a marvelous place to visit and admire the plantings and the architecture.
Savage Garden is a beautiful place. When I was born my parents lived a block away. I have an old black and white photograph Dad took of Mother standing by the pagoda. It was the winter of 1937 or 1938. Around 1952 I got to see the Garden up close. Boy was I surprised when I looked int the pond. I thought “Goldfish a foot long!” My sister Mary is now a Montessori teacher and administrator at a school in Montgomery, Alabama.
I am constantly amazed by the number of treasures Knoxville contains. This one is charming and beautiful.
Mr. Savage also established a Garden in Lake City (now Rocky Top), TN before he moved to Fountain City. It is also a beautiful and fascinating place. They typically are open to the public during the Dogwood Arts Festival. Warning: Be prepared for some hill climbing, but well worth it.
Had a delightful morning with our 6 & 4 year old granddaughters this morning. Thank you SO much for opening this beautiful garden for us.
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