Join us for a special afternoon as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of American Independence with a journey into Thomas Jefferson’s Gardens at Monticello — followed by our annual Nashville Rose Society Chili Cookoff!

The meeting will be held at the Ed Jones Auditorium at the Ellington Agriculture Center, located at 416 Hogan Road, Nashville, TN 37220. Click here for detailed directions.

Our guest speaker, Ron Daniels, Master Consulting Rosarian with the American Rose Society, will bring the historic gardens of Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello to life.

Monticello — meaning “little mountain” — is home to a remarkable collection of roses along with Jefferson’s historic flower and vegetable gardens. Ron will explore the purpose and design of these gardens, with special emphasis on the rose collection that continues to inspire gardeners today.

A lifelong rosarian, Ron has spent 30 years growing roses and currently tends approximately 150 rose plants in his Tennessee garden. He is also the author of Rose Therapy: My Journey of Growing and Caring for Roses. Copies of his book will be available for purchase at the meeting.

And come hungry! We’ll also be holding our annual Chili Cookoff. Bring your favorite chili, cornbread, or desert and join in the fun — or simply come ready to taste!

Guests are always welcome. We’d love to have you join us for roses, history, chili and a great afternoon with fellow gardeners!

---

Nashville Rose Society members, Becky Willoughby and Ron Daniels, will open their gardens to NRS members and the public on Saturday, October 17, from 10:00am to 5:00pm.

The Willoughby Farm at 169 Horntown Road, Gallatin, Tennessee, is where “A Rose Named David” sits on a hill overlooking the farm. What began for Becky Willoughby as a love of roses has grown into a garden of more than 320 bush roses, representing many different types and varieties, all planted in a self-designed, English-inspired garden setting. As you walk through the garden, you’ll find numerous arbors, trellises, and obelisks supporting an additional 36 climbing roses. Each rose seems to have its own personality.

Growing roses in Zone 7b has certainly come with its challenges. Freezing temperatures and unexpected cold snaps, pest pressures, and late summer heat waves can take their toll. But every season brings something new to learn and enjoy, which is part of what makes this garden so special. Roses bring endless inspiration, opportunities to stay active, and many dear friendships and mentors. Becky says, “I’m grateful to share my garden with you, and I hope it is able to bring you inspiration and joy like it has brought me”.

Ron Daniels’ garden, known as Gadwall Abbey Rose Garden, located at 1000 Gadwall Circle, Hendersonville, is a carefully designed landscape of beauty, learning, and hospitality that has earned admiration among rose enthusiasts and visitors alike.

Established in 2013, Gadwall Abbey is Daniels’ third rose garden. Rather than simply planting roses wherever space allowed, Daniels approached the project with clear priorities: accessibility, strong plant performance, and ease of care. The result is a garden that balances serious rose growing with thoughtful design.

Today Ron’s garden has more than 150 roses spanning an impressive range of classes. Visitors will find climbers reaching upward, sturdy shrub roses, exhibition hybrid teas, grandifloras, floribundas, miniatures, and mini-floras. Old garden roses and species roses share space with modern varieties, including beloved selections from David Austin. Even tree roses add a vertical element to the display.

---