Working out of Westhaven’s on-site greenhouse, Barbara Wise helps us get growing! She is a Master Gardener who brings a lifetime of experience to residents, who lovingly call her “The Flower Lady.” With her staff, she maintains hundreds of deck boxes, containers and flower beds, infusing the neighborhood with vibrant color. (She can be seen riding around the neighborhood on – of course – a petal pink bicycle!).
Top 10 gardening spots to visit in 2008
- Randolph’s Nursery – 1690 Airways Bvd. Jackson, Tenn. (go in March or April and make sure you meet Rita Randolph!)
- University of Tennesse Trial Gardens – Knoxville, Tennessee (an incredible botanical garden right on campus - check out the newest plants coming on the market)
- Summer Celebration (in July) at UT Jackson, Tennessee extension campus (right up the street from Randolph Nursery – this is an awesome garden filled with creative ideas and fun to visit anytime of the year)
- Cheekwood Botanical Garden – Nashville, Tennessee (make sure to go in March to see the tulips and other bulbs in all their glory)
- Biltmore Estate Gardens – Ashville, North Carolina (observe the landscape detail throughout the entire estate)
- Saul’s Nursery – 1115 W. Nancy Creek Drive Atlanta, GA
- University of Georgia Trial Gardens – Athens, Georgia (go between June 20-25 and hopefully you’ll meet Allen Armitage – he’s one of my heros!)
- Park Seed Trial Gardens – Greenwood, South Carolina
- Longwood Gardens – Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
- Westhaven Courtyard Tour – Franklin, Tennessee; May 16-18 (of course!!)