Perennial Plant Society's Premiere Garden Speakers and Chihuly at Cheekwood

From In the Garden

I feel awfully lucky to be a part of such a great gardening organization called the Perennial Plant Society of Middle Tennessee (PPSMT) here in Tennessee that I simply must talk about it. Not only do they have over 200 members from all around Middle Tennessee, but they have great garden speakers, garden tours and a plant sale that is a big fundraiser for the organization. Meetings are the third Tuesday of each month at Cheekwood Botanical Gardens in the Belle Meade area of Nashville. And what a treat Cheekwood can be for visitors! When PPSMT members walk into the Botanic Hall area for their meeting they are greeted by a wonderful display of ferns and other tender perennials along with a couple of macaws. A special feature that is on display in this area (for just a short time) and amongst the whole garden is a Chihuly exhibit. If you haven't seen Chihuly you simply must! I know a few of my blogging friends have seen his exhibits-namely Rose and Cosmos (who no longer blogs). I will not go into detail about the exhibit because I was there to hear a wonderful speaker talk about hellebores on this particular night so let's get on with it. If you wish to check out Chihuly at Cheekwood just check this link. Hurry-time is running out.

From In the Garden

Once you enter the Botanic Hall proper you are greeted with a wonderful wide open space filled with chairs-filled with members of the PPSMT who have come to hear C. Colston Burrell speak on hellebores.

From In the Garden

He was an absolutely awesome speaker! Not only was he funny, he imparted a great deal of useful information for us gardeners. He also showed a lot of grace when the presentation equipment occasionally malfunctioned. I learned so much about hellebores as I think all members present did.

Mr. Burrell is an award winning garden author who has authored many good garden books that are most useful to gardeners. He is a native plant enthusiast and well versed on hellebores. His presentation had wonderful photos of all the types of hellebores from around the world. Great shots of some great gardens too! I so wish he had brought some of his books to sell so I could have gotten him to autograph one for me. You see, last month's PPSMT speaker was none other than Peter Loewr and boy oh boy did I ever wish I had brought my copy of Ornamental Grasses so he could autograph that book for me. How cool is it that we in Middle Tennessee can see these award winning authors come to this little capital city of Nashville to speak to us? I just think the PPSMT is top notch. In addition to great speakers we get a plant swap each month (gotta know what you are getting though) and we also get free garden tours!

From In the Garden

Speaking of gardens I'm going to leave you with this teaser of an outside display of Chihuly. Members of the PPSMT were not allowed to wonder the Cheekwood grounds and google and gaggle along the displays but some of the displays are within sight of the parking area so many of us took advantage of the situation and snapped some photos. I have not actually seen the whole exhibit but it is on my to do list. How beautiful is Cheekwood with Chihuly? I just had such a great time I had to share it with you all....

in the garden....

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team,

In the Garden

Perennial Plant Society and Cheekwood Botanical Gardens

Being a passionate gardener and one who wants to continually learn, I have discovered a good learning resource and great networking society right here in middle Tennessee. It is the Perennial Plant Society (PPS). I was at a local nursery one day when the owner (Karen) suggested I join the PPS and she gave me an application (above). I have been a member for over three years now and have gained invaluable knowledge and a great variety of plants for my garden.

The society meets every third Tuesday at Cheekwood Botanical Gardens in Nashville (Except for December and June). Social hour begins at 6:30 pm and the actual meeting starts at 7:00 pm. Programs vary from subjects as diverse as camelias in the garden to hardscaping. Nationally known speakers come from all over the country to speak at these meetings. To mention just a few: Carol Reese from Jackson, Tennessee and Felder Rushing (featured in Southern Living Magazine). The speakers are always very informative and usually witty. Members of the society number over 200 and the meetings have excellent attendance each month. As an added bonus, members bring plants to swap each meeting. Some gems I have gained for my garden include: Red Hot Pokers, Colombines, Fairy Rose and Sweet Autumn Clematis. I think as of now only two members of the PPS are from Clarksville, that is my friend Gerrianne and myself. The reason may be because it is a long way to drive and perhaps not enough people in Clarksville know about this society. I am including a copy of the membership application if anyone is interested in joining. Membership dues are $15 per year and this is a real bargain for the monthly speaking programs, plant swaps, garden tours and annual plant sale.

This month's speaker is Karen Angelucci, author of Secrets of Tennessee Gardening (A 12 month road map to gardening success). The meeting is Tuesday, October 16th at Cheekwood so come and visit.

While talking about PPS I would be negligent in not mentioning Cheekwood. Cheekwood is a local treasure we here in Clarksville have easy access to. Cheekwood also offers a 50% discount to military families so the entry fee is very minimal. One can easily spend several hours touring the grounds and gardens, not to mention the mansion which is open to the public. Here is a picture of Jimmy on one of the porticos sitting next to a Wisteria vine. Note the girth on this wisteria! It was beautiful and I sure would like to see it in bloom next spring. We shall see. Cheekwood is host to a number of societies and information can be found on their website. Additionally, each year Cheekwood features a "kid exhibit". One year it was mazes and another birdhouses. I think it is fairytale settings this year. Check it out!

in the garden....