Marking the Wildflowers Along the Clarksville Greenways for Educational Purposes

I am going to share with you all a special occasion for my garden club; though the occasion has actually been going on for more than one year.

My garden club, the Beachaven Garden Club, decided more than one year ago to take on a civic project. The civic project needed to be something we could all do and it had to be something we could keep up with. You know it is mighty hard to get anyone to do anything nowadays so we picked our project carefully. It had to be garden related and it had to make an impact as well as be a beautiful thing. We, as a club, decided we would label the wildflowers found along our very own Clarksville Greenway.

We began with monthly walks last year. At first we used labels with hand written names. The writing was only a temporary thing because despite our best efforts, the writing really was not readable for people walking along the greenway. Even so, many people commented on the labels and we all enjoyed the fact that local folks were taking notice of our wildflowers. 

We then did some research and decided that we should go all out with this project and improve upon our markers. After some research we found a great way to label the wildflowers. The result is as you see pictured above. These labels were ordered locally (good idea Diann), then attached to the plant stakes we already had on hand. Each of these labels costs our club approximately $3 not including the plant stake itself. So far we have identified over 30 types of wildflowers. We have also kept track of our labels (fairly well) and in the year that we've been labeling the wildflowers the labels are staying in place and seem to be holding up well. The chance that they might walk off is always a real possibility with any labeling job in a garden or natural area but we are pleased to say disappearing labels along the greenway have not been a big issue.

Along with the labels we decided to let the users of the Clarksville Greenway know who exactly it was that was responsible for labeling the wildflowers. After some back and forth paperwork we had a signed memorandum between our garden club and the Mayor of Clarksville (Mayor Kim McMillan). We were thrilled. Not only we were now legal but the city agreed to help us out by printing a wonderful reflective sign for installation at the Greenway trailhead. You can see the sign in the first picture.


As we all met for our walks we not only gained fellowship but also knowledge of local wildflowers. It was truly a learning experience for us all. Here is a picture of a group of lovely ladies who went out last month for a walk in preparation for the emergence of the spring wildflowers. From left to right are: Charene, Diann, Dianne, Lili, Eddie, Irene, and Helga. I am kneeling. You can tell by all of our coats the weather was a bit chilly that day.

I normally don't like pictures of myself but I really liked this picture that one of the members took (I believe it was Helga). I am holding out a sprig of toothwort. Toothwort is a very common Tennessee wildflower.

This picture was taken on the day of the dedication. Members and VIPs include (from left to right): Mayor Kim McMillan, Donna, Charene, Eddie, Lili, Mary Clair, Helga, Diann, and the Clarksville Tree Forester Josh. I am kneeling in front.

I'd like to invite you all out for a Montgomery County Master Gardener walk tomorrow morning at 8:00 AM to look at the wildflowers Beachaven Garden Club labeled along the greenway....

in the garden....

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

Eddie Rabbitt's Mural in the Austin Peay State University President's Residence and a Blogger Visit

Folks in the Clarksville area are most likely aware of our local state university called Austin Peay State University (APSU), but they may not be aware of some gems hidden on the campus. The above home is the residence of the President of APSU. At the present time the President is Tim Hall. Mr. Hall and his lovely wife Lee reside in this historical mansion located in the heart of APSU's campus. Today's post is not so much about the home as it is about the history of this home and I shall share with you all a story told to my garden club by Lee.

Let's enter the home so we can view the subject of our story. To really appreciate this mural you must see it in person as it is beautiful, scenic, and so very appropriate to the home. The mural depicts several bucolic scenes of Americana. One in particular shows Niagara Falls in New York. It adds so much charm and warmth to this central hall and home that it needs no more embellishment right? Well, let me tell you its story first so you can decide.

Have you ever heard of Eddie Rabbitt? Eddie Rabbitt was a famous singer/songwriter from the 1960s to the 1980s. He wrote and sang songs which were country but which had a popular crossover to pop music. He was a rather famous guy and almost everyone over a certain age (perhaps 40?) has heard of Eddie Rabbitt.

Eddie Rabbitt passed away in 1998 due to lung cancer. He was only 56. His death was not announced to the public until after the burial. He is buried in Nashville; which is where he resided with his wife in his later years. After his death, as the story goes, Eddie's wife was looking for a home for Eddie's mural. I think Lee said the house where Eddie Rabbitt resided was going to be demolished but I'm not sure. This mural was in that house. It is a mural which can be removed and placed in another house. So Eddie's wife began looking around for an older home where the mural would be appropriate and where it would find a good home.

It just so happened that in 1999 a terrible tornado tore through downtown Clarksville and demolished most of the city; including the residence at APSU. About the time the mural needed to be removed from Eddie Rabbitt's home was about the time the residence was being rebuilt and renovated after the tornado and Eddie Rabbitt's wife offered to donate the mural to the university.


The donation was an awesome thing to do but when it was discovered it would cost $17,000 to remove and reinstall the mural into the residence the deal almost didn't happen. $17,000 is a lot of money! And the university apparently did not want to spend that kind of money on a mural. The person responsible for installing it then donated his time to remove and install the mural. Isn't that a great story? Don't you think this mural is even more special now?

I have shared one of Eddie Rabbitt's duets with Crystal Gayle. I hope you like it. 

in the garden....

I had a visit from an old blogging friend this past weekend and I must say we really enjoyed W2W and her husband stopping by for a wonderful visit. Please check out her post found here to see how our visit went and why she was up this way from Florida.

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

Beachaven Garden Club's Visit to Lee Hall's Garden at Austin Peay State University

It is not everyday something so special happens to me but I must say the visit to the President's Residence on Austin Peay State University's (APSU) campus was a special treat. I can, once again, thank my garden club for providing me the opportunity to tour this house and garden and meet its charming caretaker-Lee Hall (spouse of the President of APSU Tim Hall).

The residence is located in a prominent location on the campus but it is a somewhat low key residence; for obvious reasons. You see, even though one is the President of a university that doesn't mean he or she wishes to live in a fishbowl on the university grounds. Therefore this residence is concealed by a tall wooden fence even though it is in the center of the campus. The residence is so well set into the campus that even though I attended and graduated from APSU I never even knew anyone lived in this house! The above picture is a view from the house toward the Sundquist Building. Yes, two sides of the residence have campus lecture halls as neighbors. One side is bordered by a large parking lot, and the last side is bordered by College Street in Clarksville. You can clearly see the residence from College Street but not so much the garden. Our garden club came to see Lee's lovely garden, the bonus was seeing the residence. There will be a part two to this trip and post as I wish to share a little piece of Clarksville's history with you all. But first let's take a stroll in the garden.

Red Knockout roses simply shine next to the classic white and brick structure.

Wrought iron was also a big part of the garden. Here I show you Lee's sage. Wowser on it!

Here is Lee Hall herself. She clearly loves her garden and was so gracious to invite us all into it. It was such a treat!

Before touring the garden we were welcomed into a covered pavilion area for our meeting and get together. I loved this area and almost wished to stay seated here all evening.

The back of the house has some nice groundcover in the form of Creeping Jenny. I adore this groundcover. I know some say it is invasive but in my garden it has a hard time growing. It makes a splendid groundcover for a shady spot where grass will not grow.


And lastly a group shot of all of the members in attendance visiting with Lee. Members shown from left to right: Carla, Sandy, Lee Hall (Garden owner), Ginger, Mary Clare, Dianne, Irene, Faye, Donna, Charene, Helga, and Nancy, and Tina....

in the garden....

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

The Tennessee Governor's Mansion in Nashville

My new home....just kidding. Even though my car is parked in front of this beautiful mansion and I am told all Tennesseans own a part of this mansion, I must admit, sadly, that it is not really my home. This is the home of Tennessee's sitting governor and is located in Nashville Tennessee. Last week I had the pleasure of visiting this home and its adjoining Conservation Hall courtesy of my garden club (Beachaven Garden Club) and its President (Charene-thanks for setting up the tour!)

People outside of Tennessee may not be familiar with the Conservation Hall that our former First Lady (Andrea Conte) had built in 2010. The construction of this hall caused quite a bit of consternation among Tennessee voters who claimed it was a total waste of money. You see, as lovely as our mansion is it only had room for 22 people around its formal dining room table. Many times state dinners can include dozens of people as you can imagine. The state solved this problem by setting up tents on the large yard but during the summers and winters you can imagine that was not a very comfortable way of conducting parties. The solution was to build an underground 'green' banquet hall. Looking from a window in the front foyer of the mansion you can see the above ground part of the hall. This at first glance looks like a swimming pool but is actually a glass like enclosure around a deep depression that opens into the middle of the Conservation Hall. Within this enclosure at ground level are some lovely sculptures, trees and flowers. This natural area brings in a ton of natural light to the new banquet hall. This hall has its own kitchen and can seat up to 168 people for state dinners. It has state of art bathrooms and it is quite efficient to heat and cool since it is underground. I'm thinking it was a good move that will save not only manpower (no more labor needed to set up the tents) but the Hall will also save on costs in the long run. Plus, it gives Tennessee an absolutely awesome place to entertain out of state dignitaries.



Here is a picture of the interior of the circle you can see from above. This Conservation Hall is all underground with only this opening to the sky. Within the opening you can find a lovely sculpture called "In the Presence of Presents" created by Bell Buckle artist Sherri Warner Hunter. It is a mosaic made from the slate tiles that were removed from the roof of the mansion during the recent renovation of the mansion. All of these tiles were repurposed and have an intimate association with the Governor's Mansion. In my humble opinion it is these associations that make art so much more personal and meaningful. 

The main entrance to the Conservation Hall was below the mansion proper at a lower elevation further down the hill. It was a classy entrance that immediately led people down a beautiful staircase built with sinker wood. Does anyone know what sinker wood is? It is wood from trees that have been recovered from lakes and streams where it had sunk many years ago-decades even. The wood is wonderfully preserved while in the water and made a beautiful and natural staircase for all to tread upon. Along the way we ran into some unique displays. This one of shovels painted by children brought out the gardener in me and I was impressed. I might need to think about doing something like this with all those broken shovels I have hanging around my garden. The three stars you see is a common theme on these shovels. The stars are also part of our Tennessee state flag. I have always been taught each star represents a grand division in Tennessee but while researching this post I found a link that said the stars represent the three landforms found in Tennessee. Either way it comes down to this: the three divisions are: East Tennessee, Middle Tennessee, and West Tennessee. The three landforms are: mountains (East Tennessee), highlands (Middle Tennessee), and lowlands (West Tennessee). Essentially, those in Tennessee or those familiar with our state understand what the three stars represent. Each of these divisions is very varied in cultural traditions, agriculture, economy, and way of life but together all three make for a very interesting and diverse state-one I do love.

This sculpture was not far from the opening near the banquet hall itself. It was commissioned by Andre Conte and is an American flag made from the old copper gutters that were removed from the mansion during the renovation in 2010. We were lucky here that former Governor Phil Bredesen and his wife Andrea Conte actually own their own residence in Nashville. During his term of service Mr. Bredesen and his wife Ms. Andrea lived in their own residence and not in the Tennessee mansion. This enabled the renovation to proceed without all the hassles of having a sitting family in the mansion. Governor Bill Haslam and his family are very fortunate to be the first family to move into the newly renovated mansion. 



This mansion was built in 1929 by William Ridley Wills. Mr. Wills went all over the world to find the various materials used in the construction of this mansion. You will find marble from Italy, stone from Indiana and Georgia and many other diverse materials in this mansion. Most of it is original but during the recent renovation the heating and air conditioning system were replaced, as well as windows and many updates were needed in order to make this mansion handicap friendly. This included a new elevator that goes both underground to the Conservation Hall and to the various floor levels in the home.



I am not a fan of crown molding but couldn't help but be impressed by the beautiful crown molding in this foyer. The floor in this foyer was made of black and white squares of marble. We were told by our lovely docent that previous occupants of the home used to play hopscotch on the marble squares. A delightful thought in that elegant foyer.

I always wondered what mansions would be like to live in. If all mansions look like this one then I'd say they must be quite comfortable. This mansion was cozy, well lighted and looked liveable to me. I adored the large windows with unobstructed views to the gardens surrounding the property. Our garden club was not allowed to tour the gardens due to security but we were able to get good views.

Most everyone in the world knows Elvis resided in Tennessee. This cute painting graced one of the walls in the above room. Can you see Priscilla in the background? How do you like that hair. There were various photos of not only Elvis in the home but many more dignitaries; both living and dead.

How do you like this patio? Can you imagine state parties out here? This view felt very European to me but the mansion did not feel European. Having lived in Europe for many years I've only really visited castles; which could be considered mansions I suppose. The problem is castles have a totally different feel to them as compared to rich American people's homes in the United States. This could have something to do with the fact that these large homes are all so much newer than European castles but I don't know. Nonetheless I really enjoyed this mansion and could see any family living there happily.

This rock is so famous it has its own name. Can you guess it? Our docent told us its name was the 'Spud'. It looks kind of like a potato doesn't it? Its location is directly across from the entrance to the Conservation Hall. I had to include it because in Middle Tennessee it is rather rocky but this rock takes the cake for sure.



Lastly a picture of the lovely ladies of Beachaven Garden Club (and a couple of visitors)....


in the garden....



Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

A Beachaven Garden Club Visit to Sun's Garden

Being a member of a garden club or garden organization sure has it advantages. Sometimes we put our work gloves on and get to work or sometimes we just walk around and visit fabulous gardens in our local community. Our monthly meeting took us to a local garden last month and this post is dedicated to that garden. Ready for a garden tour? Well hold on because another one will be coming in this Friday's post.

The above plant gave everyone in my club problems with identification. I tried very hard to identify it on my own but had no luck. I then posted the above picture on my Facebook profile and we got some excellent answers. The consensus is that it is centranthus. This is supposed to be a lovely old fashioned perennial-that I don't often seen grown in our area. Sun, the owner of the plant and garden we will visit in this post, orders most of her plants online and is specific as to what she likes and does not like. Sun did not know the identity of this lovely plant but she was more than generous in sharing it with a few folks in our garden club. Now that's a gardener! One who shares.

When our tour was initially placed on the yearly agenda it was billed as a 'Topiary Garden'. While there were many topiaried plants in this garden the garden was much more than topiary.

There were many Asian influences in the garden-we even got to see a hummingbird's nest!

There was fantastic edging and a great mix of perennials, shrubs, and trees set among an idyllic setting in the county. Sun used mainly rock mulch and landscape fabric in her gardens to keep the weeds down. We'll see another garden this Friday where that gardener uses the same style of gardening. Not being a big fan of landscape fabric I must say I was quite impressed by the bounty and low maintenance of this large garden-even with the landscape fabric. It is always nice to see how others garden. I am open to all types of gardens and so love tours and blogging because I get to be exposed to different perspectives in gardens. My style of gardening is more naturalistic with all natural mulch (leaves) but I tell you I really did like this garden and do like the rocks. It's the leaf blowing that would give me a nightmare I think.


I didn't take many pictures of the huge vegetable garden
Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

Leaf Casting and Garden Club Guests

From In the Garden

The swallowtail was invited to a garden club party and it brought a few friends along...

From In the Garden

To gather around tables with little piles of sand and disposable gloves to make a special garden ornament that took...

From In the Garden

lots of concentration and lots of 'making of mud pies' with a reward of some delicious....

From In the Garden

cantaloupe picked fresh from the garden. And of course....

From In the Garden

the stars of the show-the leaf castings themselves!

From In the Garden

Finally, here is a friend to the swallowtail. This is one of many gray hairstreak butterflies enjoying some 'wildflowers' in my garden. In this case the 'wildflower' is an unidentified weed...

in the garden...

A special thanks to Gardener on Sherlock Street who told me how to determine if a cantaloupe is ready to be picked (pick it up gently from the ground and if it separates from the vine it is ready!). Another special thanks to Rose for saying you must pick cantaloupes when ripe or insects get them-I got them in the nick of time! The cantaloupes were very good but are now done for the season.

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team,

In the Garden

A Hosta Garden Tour

From In the Garden

One of the benefits of belonging to a garden club is you sometimes get invited to tour gardens you might not otherwise see. Such was the case when Beachaven Garden Club was invited over a member's daughter in law's garden. It was quite a garden too. I know hostas look great in May and June then kind of peter out later on in the summer, but this shaded garden had some pretty spectacular specimens that I think would look great all summer long.

From In the Garden

The drive up to this wonderful home on the river was quite a treat. Do you see the huge limestone blocks above? They were brought in from another home the owner's in laws used to own. They were simply spectacular and made quite a presence. The home was also surrounded by huge river rocks. All of we ladies in the club were simply drooling over the rocks-myself included. I don't think you can have too much stone in the garden.

From In the Garden

The hostas were no slouches either. I had no idea hostas could get so large here in the south but these ones were as big as ones I had seen growing in my home state of Maine. They were huge! Of course there were little ones to play off from the big ones, brightly colored ones and subdued ones as well. There was quite a mix.

The hostess was most gracious and invited the club in for a spot of refreshments and to enjoy the gorgeous river view. I think I can speak for all who visited to say a very hearty thanks for the wonderful tour of your garden Debbie. It was splendid....

in the garden....

Speaking of garden tours, last May my family and I had the pleasure of touring Freda's lovely garden in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Well, if you are a subscriber to Southern Living magazine you may have noticed her garden in this month's issue-so you too get to tour her garden through the magazine. Freda is quite the designer and has a wonderful garden. If you haven't visited Freda do so and enjoy her tips for a deer proof garden and beautiful cottage gardens. Also, go get that Southern Living magazine and let her know you saw it! Blogging is great in that it brings folks closer together and makes the world a smaller place where we get to see magazine worthy gardens and the such-in person and on the web as well as through published work.

One more note, please weigh in on the poll on my sidebar. Thanks.




Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team,

In the Garden

A Daylily Breeder's Garden-Trenton

From In the Garden

'Steve Trimmer' Daylily

Mrs. Oakes (on right) and her sister (who came in from Chicago to help out with the tour).

I recently had the privilege of traveling to Mrs. Oakes lovely home in Trenton, Kentucky to view her daylilies during the Regional American Hemerocalis Society's Garden tour. Many of you who live in the local area are already familiar with Mrs. Oakes, she owns and operates The Tin Barn on Guthrie Highway. I've talked of the Tin Barn before when I posted about my daylily seedlings I purchased from Mrs. Oakes last summer, but did you know the blueberries are ready for picking at The Tin Barn too? Blackberries won't be far behind. Today's post is about her lovely garden surrounding her beautiful home in Kentucky.

My garden club (The Beachaven Garden Club) took a tour to see the daylilies this past Friday. What a treat we were in for as you all know, it IS daylily time here in Middle Tennessee. As soon as we parked and began the trek up the hill to the house, look at what we were greeted with! Huge beds of daylilies in all their glory.
There were quite a few visitors to Mrs. Oakes garden on this hot day. Not only was my garden club in attendance, but so was Dr. Matthews and my good friends Judie and Phil.
Here we are cooling off under a wonderful old oak tree and listening to Mrs. Oakes talk of her daylilies. She is a daylily breeder and sells many named and unnamed cultivars. Her prices can't be beat! It is always best to buy daylilies in bloom, so we here in the local area are most blessed to have her close by and open for business.
On this hot day these two Adirondack chairs looked most inviting. Can you relate the colors to a certain special flower we are talking of today? Of course, it's the sunny orange and yellow of most daylilies. Wonderful colors in the heat of summer.
And one last picture before I go. This is the Oakes home. A wonderful old farmhouse with lots of charm. When I see such awesome homes with the big porches I am instantly reminded of cool breezes and easy living.

in the garden....

The 'Steve Trimmer' daylily is a type I don't think I've ever seen before. It was my favorite and one I hope to purchase soon. Many of the ladies found some great cultivars of daylilies, but they were not for sale on this day. Visit the Tin Barn by appointment or on the weekend in order to purchase your own special daylily. While you are there, be sure to pick some blueberries and blackberries.