November 2, 1:30-4:00pm – Jason Reeves, “Color Me Happy: Plants that Brighten Winter’s Gloom” & Silent Auction

Even in the South, winter can seem like an eternity. Plants with winter interest can make gray days more bearable by adding a spark of color and life to an otherwise dormant landscape. There are so many underutilized plants on the market today that not only flower, but have interesting bark, great winter leaf color, and tantalizing textures. Not only do many of these beauties look good in the winter, they look great in the spring and summer, too! With some new additions to your landscape, your enjoyment will extend through all the seasons.

The Sunday, November 2, 2025, meeting of the Nashville Rose Society will be held at the Ellington Agriculture Center Ed Jones Auditorium, 416 Hogan Road, Nashville, TN 37220. Our program will be presented by Jason Reeves. Jason has presented to the NRS in the past and is always a crowd-pleaser.

Jason grew up on a farm in West Tennessee, where he fell in love with the plant world. He received his Master’s degree in Ornamental Horticulture and Landscape Design from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. In 2002, he became a research horticulturist and curator of the University of Tennessee Gardens located at the West Tennessee Research and Education Center in Jackson, Tennessee.

Jason’s colorful plant combinations and unique garden art, made by recycling everyday objects, draws several thousand people to the Center’s annual lawn and garden show, Summer Celebration. His past experiences include work at the Opryland Conservatories in Nashville, Missouri Botanical Garden, Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania, and in private gardens in New Zealand. When he’s not bringing the grounds to life with his imaginative garden displays, he’s evaluating hundreds of new and unique plants for the state’s green industry; speaking at gardening symposiums or traveling the world leading gardening tours, and serving as a contributing editor to Fine Gardening magazine. He is also a landscape designer and consultant whose influence may be seen in landscapes across Tennessee in the form of distinct plant combinations. You can follow him on Facebook at Jason Reeves – in the garden

NRS Silent Auction Fund Raiser

Start planning now for what you will bring for the NRS Silent Auction Fund Raiser. Suggested items include baked goods, garden produce, gardening items such as gloves, trowels, etc., flower arranging items such as vases or Kenzan/frogs, flower arrangements, and plants. Arrive for the meeting about 1:00pm if you have items for the silent auction. Bidding will begin at 1:30pm and will close at 3:30pm. Payments for purchased items can be made with cash, check or Venmo (a 3% surcharge will be added).

We hope to see you!

Click here for more information on how to find the Ellington Agriculture Center, Ed Jones Auditorium.


October 18, 10am-4pm – Ron Daniels Gadwall Abby’s Annual Rose Tour

You do not want to miss Ron Daniels Gadwall Abby Annual Rose Tour to be held on October 18, 2025, from 10am till 4pm. Gadwall Abby is located a 1000 Gadwall Circle, Hendersonville, TN 37075. Ron’s garden has over 150 roses of all types and many companion plants.

Ron is an ARS Master Rosarian, a Member of the Nashville Rose Society, and a Master Gardener. His book Rose Therapy will be available for purchase. You can learn more about Ron and his book at rosetherapybook.com.


October 3-5, 2025 – Tenarky District Fall Convention & Rose Show

The Memphis Rose Society is thrilled to host the 2025 Tenarky District Convention & Rose Show! The convention and rose show will be held at the Germantown Presbyterian Church, 2363 South Germantown Road, Germantown, TN 38138 on Friday, October 3, through Sunday, October 5,2025. This will be the first show hosted by the Memphis Rose Society since 2018, making it a long-overdue and much-anticipated event!

Show time is Saturday, October 4, from 1 to 4 pm. Set up will be done on Friday, October 3, if anyone is interested and available to help.

Event Highlights:

Friday Social Hour – October 3rd: Join us after show setup for a casual gathering to mingle and kick off the weekend with friends, old and new!

Banquet Speaker – Lisa Schaff: Lisa will present “Fresh Cuts: Roses for the Tenarky Garden” at our Saturday evening banquet.

Program by Camp Creek: “Landscaping with Native Plants” – a fantastic opportunity to learn how to incorporate native beauty into your garden.

Fundraiser: We’re hosting a fundraiser to help finance the event, with incredible prizes generously provided by our sponsors: American Rose Society, Jackson & Perkins, Heirloom Roses, and many more! Come and show your support and take home some wonderful prizes!

Sunday Garden Tours: For those staying through the weekend, we’re organizing some beautiful garden tours on Sunday afternoon, October 5th.

The convention hotel is the Holiday Inn Express located at 7784 Wolf Trail Cove, Germantown, TN 38138. A limited number of rooms have been reserved at a special rate – King-$128, 2 Queens-$134 + 19.75% tax. Reservations must be made by noon on Monday, September 8.

Click here for the hotel link. The hotel phone number is 901-309-6700.

A special thank You to Our Rose Family! We are incredibly grateful to all our volunteers who have stepped up to make this show a success. Also, thank you to everyone who supported our Proven Winners fundraiser — your contributions made a big impact!

Let’s make this show one to remember!

With warm wishes,
The Memphis Rose Society


2025 Music City Rose Show Results

The 2025 Music City Rose Show presented by the Nashville Rose Society was held on Saturday, September 13-14, in Massey Auditorium at at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens.

Ricky’s Hannah Gordon Floribunda in the Three Spray Challenge
Best in Show (Divisions I & II) winner is Ricky Lockhart, member of the Bowling Green Rose Society, with Hannah Gordon Floribunda in the Three Spray Challenge.

Linda Bowen, Nashville Rose Society, went home with both Queen (Crescendo) and King (Ring of Fire) of the Royal Court. Jean Harbstreet, Nashville Rose Society, won Princess and Novice Queen with the same Ring of Fire. Congratulations, Jean!

Ricky Lockhart swept the Miniflora Court with Queen (Dr. Troy Garrett), King (Shirley Raye) and Princess (Vernon Ricard).

Queen of the Miniature Court was Joy, shown by Ricky Lockhart, Renegade shown by Ron Daniels, and Daddy Frank shown by Gene Meyer.

Overall head table winner was Ricky Lockhart with 15 winners. Second place yours Gene Meyer with 10 winners. Third place Marty Reich with six winners. Linda Schork had five winners. Bob Bowen, Linda Bowen and Lisa Schaaf each had three winners.

2025 Royal Court

Royal Court
PlaceVarityShown ByCertificate
Queen CrescendoLinda BowenARS
KingRing of FireLinda BowenARS
PrincessRing of FireJean HarbstreetARS
Royal CourtCajun SunriseRicky LockhartNRS
Royal CourtClair ElyseRicky LockhartNRS
Royal CourtLouise EstesRicky LockhartNRS
Royal CourtDonna MartinGene MeyerNRS
Royal CourtLet Freedom RingLinda SchorkNRS
Royal CourtPope John Paul IILinda SchorkNRS

2025 Miniflora Rose Court

2025 Miniflora Rose Court

PlaceRoseShown ByCertificate
QueenDr. Troy GarrettRicky LockhartARS
KingShirley RayeRicky LockhartARS
PrincessVernon RicardRicky LockhartARS
CourtTrinketRicky LockhartNRS
CourtMarshmallow
Bubblegum
Martha GarmanNRS
CourtHealthcare HeroGene MeyerNRS
CourtMiss MabelGene MeyerNRS

2025 Miniature Rose Court

2025 Miniature Rose Court
PlaceRoseShown ByCertificate
QueenJoyRicky LockhartARS
KingRenegadeRon DanielsARS
PrincessDaddy FrankGene MeyerARS
CourtPierrineGordon McClellanNRS
CourtArcanumBob BowenNRS
CourtSwirly PopLinda SchorkNRS

There are many more class winners besides the ones shown above, congratulations to all of those exhibitors as well. Click here for a complete list of winners.

Monday, October 6, 5:00pm-7:30pm – Gracie Poulson from Grace Rose Farm

Gracie Poulson from Grace Rose Farm
We are so excited to have Gracie Poulson from Grace Rose Farm as our virtual guest speaker at our October 6, 2025, meeting of the Nashville Rose Society. Even though virtual, it will only be available to those attending the meeting in person.

The meeting will be held in the Massey Auditorium of Botanic Hall / Visitor Services Building at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens. The meetings are free to guests, as is admission to Cheekwood for meetings. Simply tell the gate attendant that you are there for the Nashville Rose Society meeting.

See you there!