Spring in East Tennessee brings many time-honored traditions, but perhaps the most highly anticipated is the annual Dogwood Arts Festival. With a mission to promote and celebrate the art, culture and natural beauty of our region, Dogwood Arts incorporates numerous events and opportunities to help us take delight in the community we call home.

And to think it all began in the late 1940s when a visiting New York journalist disparaged our fair city, calling it “the ugliest” he had seen in America. This prompted a group of concerned citizens with a vision to mobilize, initially taking on the task of cleaning up neighborhoods and yards. Then they started planting dogwood trees by the hundreds, creating something of true beauty we still enjoy today: the dogwood trails.

Even though the individuals behind the organization have changed over the years, their mission has remained the same, now resulting in more than 60 miles of dogwood trails to enjoy. In an effort to revitalize the dogwood trails and ensure their beauty continues for future generations, the Bazillion Blooms project has helped make possible the planting of more than a thousand dogwoods each year for the past nine years.

You may have seen the trails while taking a drive through one of Knoxville’s iconic neighborhoods. Marked with pink painted lines and arrows, the dogwood trails provide a way for visitors and residents alike to take in the blooming dogwoods as well as other sights and sounds of our natural landscape.

Knoxville’s historic Sequoyah Hills neighborhood was home to the very first dogwood trail. With its elegant diverse architecture and curving tree-lined streets as well as the winding boulevards and beautiful 87 acre waterfront park, Sequoyah Hills remains one of Knoxville’s most desirable places to call home. In fact, several of the luxury properties featured in the spring edition of our Homes & Estates publication are located in Sequoyah Hills.

Development of other dogwood trails would follow, including in beautiful Holston Hills, in and around Fountain City and in the South Knoxville neighborhood of Lake Forest.

Dogwood trails can also be enjoyed in North Hills, Halls, Farragut, Lakemoor Hills, Deane Hill and Island Home. Each neighborhood is a little different with its own unique charm and history. For example, Holston Hills, which is nestled into a gentle bend in the Holston River, was developed in 1925 as not only a neighborhood but also the site of a 180-acre country club and golf course. In addition to the lovely homes, there’s also a community club and park, which is the site of annual egg-hunts, garden club meetings and a holiday tree lighting for the community.

There are many ways to appreciate the beauty of the dogwood trails in Knoxville. While some prefer to take a leisurely drive on a sunny afternoon, others might opt for a closer, more in-depth look at the blooms.

The Bikes & Blooms program offers the opportunity to take an organized bike ride through some of the picturesque neighborhoods and see the dogwoods up-close. Then there’s also the Hikes & Blooms program, which includes numerous guided hikes during April and May. Not only will hikers be able to get a closer look, but guides will also share all sorts of interesting information and highlight noteworthy features along the way.

And for a real behind-the-scenes look at some of the blooming beauty, consider exploring one of the featured gardens. These are private gardens which have been made open to the public on select dates during Dogwood Arts. Each has its own style and features to explore and you can learn more about this and other aspects of Dogwood Arts by visiting www.dogwoodarts.com.

Spring is an incredibly beautiful time in East Tennessee. We hope you will take some time this spring to experience the beauty of the season and all of the natural elements unique to our community.

There’s no better time than spring to consider making a move in the real estate market. There are some amazing luxury homes and estates currently available in East Tennessee. Some afford stunning waterfront views while others allow for exciting downtown living. And there’s even the opportunity to design and build the luxury home of your dreams.

Wallace has been a leader in the luxury real estate market since our company’s inception in 1936. Our agents are uniquely qualified to serve the home buying and selling needs of today’s discerning luxury consumer. Let us exceed your expectations, combining local expertise with a powerful global brand.