The shops, stops, nurseries and florists we are loving this season in Nashville

Derrick Lachney of Foiled & Fern. Photos by Mary Craven.

Foiled & Fern
1210 Second Ave. N. Suite 101
615-920-5141

In a shop twist we never knew we needed, owner Derrick Lachney has brought together hair and houseplants in Germantown for the kind of self-love experience that feels good in the moment and then extends to happiness at home. The “nearly native” Nashvillian has done hair all over the city (Studio Gavin, Shine), but he opened his hybrid shop right before COVID-19 hit and was happy to have the plant side of the business while the hair side was dormant. Now that people are gathering again, he is excited that people will be turning to plants not only for their own homes, but for housewarming and hostess gifts, too, making sure every little plant is ready to go in a stylish vessel. “I want the person to know what it is they have and how to take care of it, but I want it to look really cute sitting on the counter or the floor,” Lachney says.

Gardens at Cheekwood.

Cheekwood
1200 Forrest Park Drive
615-356-8000

Coming off the success of the Chihuly exhibit last year, Cheekwood Estate and Gardens is planning even more programming that combines art and nature in a way that brings longtime Nashvillians back to the grounds to experience something new, as well as drawing tourists who may have come for the country music but then take in some culture. “The historic landscape Cheekwood provides through its natural beauty is a lovely venue for most anything,” says Peter Grimaldi, vice president of gardens and facilities at Cheekwood. “And there’s that juxtaposition when you start introducing modern art into that composition that’s intellectually interesting.” That includes the Sean Kenney “Nature POP! Made with Lego bricks” exhibit, which is on display through Sept. 5, 2021.

JVI Secret Gardens

JVI Secret Gardens
227 Donelson Pike
615-871-7338

JVI is also the place to turn to for ponds, landscaping and water features, making it a one-stop shop for creating your own secret garden. Overflowing with annuals, seasonal décor, trees and pottery, this is a super-charming nursery tucked behind a gate on Donelson Pike that is filled with friendly staff who appreciate the eclectically beautiful garden gallery they work in and know what they are talking about. Their goal is to show people how things might look in their own space, so the whole experience is like walking through a backyard paradise. A secret garden.

Geny’s Flowers

Geny’s Flowers
4407 Charlotte Ave.
615-269-0177

Geny’s is not only one of the oldest flower shops in the area, it’s also one of the oldest businesses; it’s been operating continuously since 1868. While they are definitely a florist who can make amazing arrangement, they also offer wholesale flowers, foliage and floral supplies to independent designers and florists. Their farm-sourced flowers are delivered using a continuous cold chain form of transportation, are inspected upon arrival and are properly processed with fortified water to ensure high-quality buds for arrangements and special events. And while they pride themselves on their roots and longtime traditions, the arrangements are modern and fresh. Keep them in your rotation for go-to gifts that will never fail to impress.

FLWR Shop

FLWR Shop
5133 Harding Pike, 615-487-5097
2809 Dickerson Pike, 615-401-9124

Owned by Alex Vaughan, her tagline is a florist with a passion for design, and that is evident in the arrangements coming out of the FLWR Shop from her and her team of designers — some of whom are also interior designers. A Miami transplant, Vaughan handles design for weddings and events, all the way up to full-scale design, which can be everything from a simply stunning Mother’s Day bouquet to hanging 10,000 tulips upside down over a dance floor.

 

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