NRS is a member of Tennessee Federation of Garden Clubs

The Nashville Rose Society is proud to announce that it has been invited to become an affiliated member of the Tennessee Federation of Garden Clubs, which the NRS has gladly accepted.

The Tennessee Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc., is a supportive member of National Garden Clubs,Inc., and the Deep South Garden Clubs, Inc. The six-member states of the Deep South Garden Clubs are Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. The mission of these clubs is to educate its membership and the public about gardening and nature, floral design, and civic and environmental responsibility.

One of the benefits of being affiliated with the TFGC is that the NRS can be promoted in the TFGC “The Volunteer Gardener” quarterly magazine, newsletter, District meetings, and calendar of events. The annual costs to be an affiliate are minimal. This is an excellent way for the NRS to promote its activities and hopefully acquire more members.


October 4-6 – Tenarky District Fall Convention & Rose Show

The 2024 Tenarky District Fall Convention & Rose Show will be held October 4-6, 2024, at the Warren County Extension Office, 5162 Russellville Road, Bowling Green, Kentucky. The Sip & Snack on Friday evening and the banquet on Saturday evening are at the Holiday Inn University Plaza in Bowling Green, Kentucky, the Convention hotel.

The Convention and Rose Show are hosted by the Louisville and Bowling Green Rose Societies.

The Rose Show will be held on Saturday, October 5. Doors open at 5:30 a.m. CDT . The Placement Committee and/or exhibitors will place horticulture entries from 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. CDT. Exhibitors will place Challenge Class entries. Judging begins at 10:15 a.m. CDT. The show will be open to exhibitors when the judging is completed and the awards table is arranged. The Show will be open to the public from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. CDT and is free to the public.

For information on the events of this fun-filled weekend, click here.

Click here for the Rose Show Schedule.

Registration is required for all participants. Full payment must accompany each registration form. Exhibitors MUST be registered and have an exhibitor’s number on entry tags. Entry numbers will be on name tags at registration or may be obtained from the registrar prior to the show. Registration must be received by September 30 for food tally. Anyone registering after September 30, will not be able to attend the banquet.The registration form is here.

Hotel accommodations are at the Holiday Inn University Plaza in Bowling Green, Kentucky. There are a limited number of rooms at the Convention price! There are other events on this date, so make your room reservation very soon! The deadline for the Convention price is September 3, 2024. Click here to reserve your room.

Please plan to attend!


Jeff and Cindy Garrett – Disease Resistant Rose Study

The Nashville Rose Society was honored, once again, to have Jeff and Cindy Garrett as our guest speakers at the August 11, 2024, monthly meeting. In addition to focusing on how to participate in the annual ARS Roses In Review program, Jeff discussed the work that he and Cindy are doing to test and evaluate disease resistant, specifically blackspot, roses in their garden.

Jeff and Cindy moved to their current home on Lake Chickamauga in 1989. Over the years they have continued to develop their landscape to its current capacity of just over 350 roses. Jeff and Cindy have allocated some of that space in their garden to test select varieties of roses in large pots. They change some of the varieties each year. They do fertilize and water, but do not spray for disease. Each year they evaluate which roses are most disease resistant.

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”. The Garretts have been honored with the Bronze Medal from their local society.

Click here for Jeff and Cindy’s presentation on Disease Resistant Roses – Fact or Fiction!

Here you will find a list (pdf) of roses in Jeff and Cindy’s test garden.


August 14 – Wilson County and Tennessee State Fairs Rose Show Entries

Bring your roses to the Fairs!

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 from Thursday, August 15 through Saturday, August 24, 2024.

The Wilson County Rose Show is open to Wilson County Residents, members of the Wilson County Gardeners Guild, members of the Wilson County Master Gardeners, members of a Wilson County FCE Club, or members of the Nashville Rose Society over 18 years old. The Tennessee State Rose Show is open to any Tennessee resident over 18 years old.

Exhibits for both shows must be entered at the Expo Center between 2pm and 6:30pm on Wednesday, August 14. 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.

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!


June is National Rose Month

Photo credit: Star Roses and Plants

June is National Rose Month, which was established in 1959 to support the effort to make the rose the national flower of the United States.

On November 20, 1986, President Ronald Reagan, signed Proclamation 5574 declaring the Rose to be The National Floral Emblem of the United States of America. With this proclamation, the Rose took its place among the beloved patriotic symbols of our nation, symbols that include the American Flag; the Great Seal including the U.S. Motto; the Bald Eagle; the National Anthem; the official March; and the National Tree, the Oak.

June was chosen because it is when roses are in peak bloom and are a popular choice for weddings. June is a beautiful time in Tennessee! Enjoy your roses!