A Summer Celebration!

Today is Outdoor Wednesday at A Southern Daydreamer hosted by Susan. Make sure to visit her blog, say hello to Susan, and check out all the other participants.

I realize that most of you are a long way from Jackson, Tennessee, but if you happen to be within driving distance, I strongly recommend that you make plans to attend the University of Tennessee Summer Celebration Lawn and Garden Show.


Each year, the event draws thousands of visitors eager to soak up creative horticultural tips and peruse the dazzling garden displays that seem to grow more elaborate each year.









The 20th Annual Summer Celebration kicks off at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 9, at the West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center. Dozens of plant and garden experts will be on hand, presenting information on topics that range from "Layer Cake Gardening" to "Roses that Rock Your World."



The Center is a tremendous asset to gardeners in the extended community. There’s a kitchen garden display area,


trials with different types of grasses for creating beautiful, healthy lawns,


and a daylily area.




Generally every plant is labeled to guide landscape designers in making the best choices for new plantings. Unfortunately (and sadly) visitors sometimes steal the labels rather than coming prepared with paper and pen!
The theme at this year's Summer Celebration is "Sedums and Succulents." These are plants that can withstand the heat, love sunlight, but require little watering. With their unique textures and colors, these plants will be artfully featured throughout the gardens.



I spent some time this past weekend walking around the grounds photographing whatever caught my eye. I spoke with Jason Reeves, the ornamental horticulturalist who masterminds the imaginative displays that are always highlights of the “Celebration.” He’s the fellow driving the “mule” in the snapshot below.


Jason told me he’d be adding lots of “surprises” to the kitchen display before the day of the event. I thought it was already impressive!



I especially enjoyed the inverted satellite dishes filled with sedums, the ornamental grasses, the old kitchen appliances used to “bake” pans of sedums, and the hut with a roof covered in growing, thriving succulents.



One of my favorite features of the gardens is the no-spray rose program. The staff plants dozens and dozens of new varieties each year. Visitors to the Center can see what happens when the roses are left to their own devices. There’s absolutely no spraying with chemicals and no “dead-heading.” It’s a wonderful opportunity to “try before you buy!”




If there are similar programs and events in your area I’d love to hear about them!



Hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I enjoyed taking them for you!!!
Bill