A nonprofit TN organization supporting horticulture education in TN, the use of perennial plants and effective gardening techniques
ABOUT US
The Perennial Plant Society of Middle TN is a nonprofit TN organization supporting horticulture education in TN, the use of perennial plants in the landscape and giving advice about effective gardening techniques. Our activities include:
Monthly public meetings with expert speakers, private garden tours, meeting plant swaps, a huge annual plant sale, and funding of horticultural scholarships to Tennessee students.
WHAT'S NEW AT PPS
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PLANT SOCIETY MEETING 2026
Date: Tuesday, Aug 18, 2026
Time: Social Hospitality: 6:00 pm Meeting at 6:30 pm
Location: Ed Jones Auditorium at Ellington Agricultural Center in Nashville
Topic: Native Orchids
Speaker: Sonaya Cates Parr, A professional plant and Soil Scientist
Soraya Cates Parr is an experienced, enthusiastic, presenter. As a professional plant and soil scientist (TTU 1981), she has contributed her writing, speaking, and photography talents to magazines, radio interviews, and appearances on local news and PBS-affiliated television shows.
She was Cheekwood Botanical Gardens’ orchid and tropical horticulturist for many years. She also worked in the greenhouses of a phalaenopsis orchid hybridizer. She was mentored by the Harvard Research Fellow, Mrs. E. F. Siegerist (1925-2014) who was a botanist for the Oaks Ames Orchid Herbarium. Soraya won awards for her writings and contributed her skill as an orchid clerk for AOS (American Orchid Society) judges at the Midwest conferences.
Recently, her book, published by Vanderbilt University Press, was reviewed in The Smithsonian’s North American Orchid Conservation Center Newsletter and reviewed in the esteemed Journal of the American Orchid Society as well as Chapter 16 (Tennessee Humanities).
Soraya will have her book available for sale at the meeting It’s $20, cash only.
Benefits of Membership
The Perennial Plant Society of Middle Tennessee is for people who enjoy landscaping, gardening and growing flowers, especially perennials that come back every year. The group and its invited speakers offer ideas, education and friendship to all. Members include amateurs and professionals, beginners and 'old hands,' and their gardens range from large estate landscapes to small plots beside the kitchen door.
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Invitations to attend private garden tours at some of the most beautiful gardens in the Middle Tennessee area.
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Attend monthly society meetings with special program presentations from guest speakers
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Swap plant ideas and plants with other society members
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Be a part of one of the largest plant sales in Tennessee
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Help fund scholarships for local deserving horticultural students
2026 PERENNIAL PLANT SOCIETY PLANT SALE IS OVER
On behalf of the Perennial Plant Society of Middle Tennessee, I’d like to thank every gardener who came to our sale on Sat. April 11. It was the most amazing turnout—certainly the largest we have had in the 32 years of the sale. Lines were long, but we appreciate everyone’s patience and good humor. This wonderful response has enabled us to continue to fund the horticultural scholarships at Tenn. Tech and to support free educational programs on gardening throughout the year.
We are very grateful to our customers for their help in meeting our mission goals.
