We always know the dates of the Dogwood Arts Festival in advance — websites, posters, and billboards keep us informed.  But it’s not until we see the redbuds blooming in town and along I-40 that we know dogwood blooms can’t be far behind.

Knoxville’s Dogwood Arts Festival 2014 officially runs through April, but blooms don’t always get it!  We can remember festivals beginning AFTER the delicate four-petaled dogwood blooms have peaked and faded.  On the other hand, we can also remember years when blooms just aren’t ready for opening day even if we have visitors from around the world in town to see them.  They do what they do when they want to do it!

But this year’s different.  Timing seems perfect.  First, we noticed our Lenten Roses (Helleborus Orientalis) perk up their nodding heads and show us their throats mid-March.

Lenten Roses are first to peek out and show their colors in the garden.

Then we were blessed with massive blooms on our White Star Star Magnolia.

Open bloom on a White Star Star Magnolia

Daffodils, too, opened with yellow profusion in late March along the Interstate where dedicated volunteers have sprinkled them for years, thanks to the vision of Maria Compere and others.  And the rest of us just follow suit, adding handfuls of bulbs to our landscape each fall.

Daffodil blooms anxiously awaiting their own “open date.”

Redbuds with their graceful branches dotted with tiny pinkish, purplish blossoms began around the first of April saying, We’re here.  Look at us.

Redbuds along Knoxville’s Lake Loudon near the Henley Street Bridge

And this pink profusion of tulips was enough to make us stop and take a closer look on Sunday, April 6th, even if we did have to get on our hands and knees for a good shot!

Full plantings of pink tulips in bloom at Cherokee Country Club, Knoxville

But finally on the first weekend of Dogwood Festival (as if the blooms knew what we wanted this year), we were blessed with lacy canopies of luscious springtime beauty. It’s Dogwood Time in Tennessee!

Dogwoods blooming at entrance to Krutch Park, downtown Knoxville

Wanna keep track of dogwood blooms?  You can watch one pink dogwood tree on the Fountain City Trail unfold from bud to full bloom as pictures are added each day.  Head to the Dogwood Arts website for Bloom Watch 2014.

Just buds on Wednesday, March 26, 2014.

Almost full bloom on Monday, April 7th: Pink dogwood, Bloom Watch 2014

Or come to Knoxville for any one of the signature events and activities that put us on the map for the best place to visit in April — events like Rhythm ‘n Blooms, Chalk Walk, Open Gardens, Dogwood Trails, and Art in Public Places.

Singing happy songs on a sunny day in downtown Knoxville! Does it get any better than this?

Loving the sunshine and music downtown

“Sailor’s Warning” by Duke Oursler. Part of Art in Public Places, downtown Knoxville

As part of Chalk Walk 2014, artists from Spamalot add their entry to the sidewalk in Krutch Park. Spamalot arrives in Knoxville April 24th: http://clarencebrowntheatre.com/plays/monty-pythons-spamalot/

The Dogwood Arts Festival invites residents and visitors to enjoy music, art, and festivities downtown or drive through subdivisions marked with pink “follow-me” markings where dogwoods and other flowers celebrate the 60th year of Dogwood Trails.

Strolling through Krutch Park: Dogwood Arts Festival 2014

Prettiness is blooming all over Knoxville.  So join our blog this week and next as we drive the trails, stroll the gardens, and admire the art.  The Dogwood Arts Festival is here at last!

Dogwood Arts Festival

Digital Guide: http://www.dogwoodarts.com/about/

Trails and Gardens: http://www.dogwoodarts.com/trails-and-gardens/

Events & Exhibits: http://www.dogwoodarts.com/events-exhibits/

Bloom Watch 2014: http://www.dogwoodarts.com/bloomwatch2014/

Have you visited Knoxville during the Dogwood Arts Festival?  Or do you live here and love the events and blooms?  Add your comments below.  We’d love to hear from you.