September 9, 9:00am-3:00pm – “A Walk Through Sumner Gardens

The Sumner County Master Gardeners invite you to “A Walk Through Sumner Gardens”, the second annual self-guided garden tour. Experience five colorful and creative gardens throughout Sumner county.

Begin your tour at any location:

1. 2090 Katherine Dr., Goodlettsville, TN (Donna Brooks) This homeowner, a Master Gardener, has incorporated a designer potting shed, Koi pond, and many types of shade loving plants into her landscape. It’s the perfect example of how to garden every inch of your backyard!

2. 841 Rachel Dr., Goodlettsville, TN (Michael Jordan) A strategically planned, enchanted garden extraordinaire that includes treasures from the homeowner’s international travels.

3. 1000 Gadwall Circle, Hendersonville, TN (Ron Daniels) Ron is the Co-President of the National Rose Society, Master Gardener, Master Rosarian, and author. His garden has been featured on the shows “Talk of the Town” and “Volunteer Gardener”. He grows over 150 varieties of roses and has produced many Rose Show winners. A must see!

4. 1020 Bison Trail, Gallatin, TN (Station Camp Elementary Pollinator Garden) Located behind the school, this 2022 greenhouse and pollinator garden was created to save endangered monarchs and now serves to teach students the lifecycles of butterflies, and expand their knowledge of science and horticulture.

5. 1012 Harness Circle, Gallatin, TN (Wendy Mangiaracina) These homeowners fell in love with this neighborhood at first sight, and have designed their garden with plants that add color, texture, and fragrance. The focal point of their yard is the pond and waterfall that creates a dramatic sanctuary for them to enjoy.

Tours are rain or shine. Restrooms are NOT available.
Tours are free to the public. Donations support Master Gardener Projects in Sumner county.
Questions? Call Sumner County Extension Office (615) 452-1423


August 17-26, Wilson County and Tennessee State Fair Rose Shows

Bring your roses to the Fairs! Members of the Nashville Rose Society are invited to compete in the Wilson County Rose Show. The State Rose Show is open to all Tennessee Residents 18 years of age and older.

Both the Wilson County Fair and the Tennessee State Fair will be held in the James E. Ward Agricultural Center, 945 E. Baddour Parkway, Lebanon, TN.

You must register before the entry date – one registration works for both the Wilson County and the State Rose Shows. There is no cost to enter in either show.

Exhibits for both shows must be entered at the Expo Center between 2pm and 6:30pm on Wednesday, August 16. There is no admission charge to enter the Fair Grounds to submit your entries. Once the State Rose Show judging is complete, exhibits will be transferred (by the Fair) to the Made in TN Building where they will be displayed for the duration of the Fair.

Click the following for more information:

We hope to see you at the Fair!


August 6, 2:00-4:30pm – Austin Lohan, ” Hydrangeas 101″

Austin Lohan hosts a YouTube presentation on hydrangeas
The Nashville Rose Society is pleased to have Austin Lohan, one of the leading horticulturists at Bates Nursery, as our guest speaker for our August 6, 2023, monthly meeting.

Do you want to know how to choose the right hydrangea? Or maybe how to care for hydrangeas? Austin dishes the dirt on the best hydrangea for your space. Learn about the different kinds of hydrangeas there are to choose from and care tips for hydrangeas that thrive.

Bates Nursery and Garden Center is a third-generation independent plant nursery and garden center located just a few minutes’ drive from downtown Nashville at 3810 Whites Creek Pike Nashville, TN. They have trees, shrubs, ornamentals, edible plants, annuals, houseplants, pottery, and more!

Check out Bates’ YouTube channel.

The meeting will be held in the Massey Auditorium of Botanic Hall / Visitor Services Building at Cheekwood Garden and Estate. The Cheekwood Campus Map shows the location of Botanic Hall.

Note: Admission to Cheekwood is not required – let the gate attendant know that you are attending the NRS Meeting in Botanic Hall.


July 9, 2:00-4:30pm – Peter​ Grimaldi, “Roses at Cheekwood and Roses at Home” PLUS Ice Cream Social

Peter Grimaldi, Cheekwood Vice President of Gardens and Horticulture
The Nashville Rose Society is pleased to have Peter Grimaldi, VP of Gardens & Facilities at Cheekwood, as our guest speaker for our July 9, 2023, monthly meeting. The July meeting will be the SECOND Sunday of July, due to the 4th of July holiday.

Peter will present the recent improvements made to the Cheekwood Beer Garden, which is next to the Rose Study Garden. Peter will use these improvements as a case study for establishing basic design and planning considerations that may be applied in the home garden, just as they are at a public garden. Peter will place the rose study garden in the context of the plant collections and displays at Cheekwood, and also explore other opportunities to feature more roses on the grounds (just to give Ron something to work on!)

Peter’s five-year tenure at Cheekwood has focused on organizing the Gardens and Maintenance Departments to maximize the potential of excellent teams while working to complete Phase I of the Cheekwood Master Plan. Peter’s work on the Japanese Garden directly contributed to Cheekwood’s award of the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Certificate of Commendation in 2020.

Peter has a Bachelor of Plant Science from Cornell University with a concentration in ornamental horticulture and floriculture. He is especially passionate about large trees and woody perennials but enjoys growing and talking about all plants.

Our annual ice cream social will be held after Peter’s presentation. Please bring ice cream, toppings, or any other accompaniment for all to enjoy!

Our hostess this month is Martha Garman. The meeting will be held in the Massey Auditorium of Botanic Hall / Visitor Services Building at Cheekwood Garden and Estate. The Cheekwood Campus Map shows the location of Botanic Hall.

Note: Admission to Cheekwood is not required – let the gate attendant know that you are attending the NRS Meeting in Botanic Hall.


June 11, 2:00 – 4:00pm – Jeff Garrett, “Rooting and Budding Roses”

Jeff Garrett, ARS Master Rosarian and National Trophy winner
The speaker for the June 11, 2023, meeting of the Nashville Rose Society will be Jeff Garrett, ARS Master Rosarian and National Trophy winner for rose exhibiting. Jeff will talk about “Rooting and Budding Roses”.

Have you ever tried rooting roses only to have them all die? Rooting roses is actually pretty easy and Jeff will be demonstrating how anyone can be successful at it. He will show how to select and prepare stem for rooting. His method does not require a greenhouse or any other special equipment. He will then show how he buds roses onto multiflora rootstock. His presentation will include the use of PowerPoint to show everything he does in close up detail.

Click here to see Jeff’s presentations.

In the early eighty’s, Jeff and and his wife Cindy bought a house in Hixson, Tennessee, and planted their first three roses. They were not performing well, so after reading an article in the local newspaper by Lester Smith talking about growing good roses, they decided to give him a call. Lester invited them over to his garden, which they found to be absolutely beautiful. He took them under his wing and began mentoring them on growing roses. He also invited them to a Tri-State Rose Society of Chattanooga meeting. They were hooked!

The Garretts moved to their current home on Lake Chickamauga in 1989. That spring they added two rose beds with about 96 plants. Over the years they have continued to develop their landscape to its current capacity of just under 350 roses.

Jeff and Cindy have both served their local society, the Tri-State Rose Society of Chattanooga, as President on numerous occasions. Currently they are editors of their local society newsletter, Basal Breaks and Jeff is the current president. The Garretts have been honored with the Bronze Medal from their local society. Both Jeff and Cindy are active in the American Rose Society and are Master Rosarians. They and have been honored with the Silver Medal from the Tenarky District of the American Rose Society. They have both also won the Outstanding Consulting Rosarian Award for the Tenarky District. For many years Jeff has been the Tenarky District Roses In Review Coordinator. They are also regional editor’s for the annual Horizon Roses publication.

After Jeff’s presentation, there will be a fun and informative video featuring Natalie Carmolli with Proven Winners® ColorChoice® – Roses and Companions. Natalie discusses the history of roses, how to grow them, what varieties of roses we offer and what plants make great companions for planting with them.

Our hostess this month is Cindy Worch. The meeting will be held in the Massey Auditorium of Botanic Hall / Visitor Services Building at Cheekwood Garden and Estate. The Cheekwood Campus Map shows the location of Botanic Hall.

Note: Admission to Cheekwood is not required – let the gate attendant know that you are attending the NRS Meeting in Botanic Hall.