A nonprofit TN organization supporting horticulture education in TN, the use of perennial plants and effective gardening techniques
2026 Society Meetings & Events
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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.
New Perennial Plant Society Meeting Place
In response to a membership survey and feedback, the PPS board has decided to relocate our meetings to the Ed Jones Auditorium at Ellington Agricultural Center in Nashville. The auditorium has been recently renovated, and there is ample parking. Time for meetings remains the same. We will also continue the plant swap. We would also like to encourage anyone who wishes to bring a treat to share. Social hospitality will still begin at 6:00 p.m., with the formal meeting beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Directions on how to reach Ed Jones are below. Any questions, please email mariwynevans @att.net.
From Franklin Road: Turn east onto Hogan Road and continue on Hogan.
From Harding Place: Turn south onto Trousdale Drive by CVS. Continue on Trousdale and then turn left onto Hogan Road (by Crieve Elementary)
Hogan Road will end at entrance of Ellington Agriculture (Marchant Drive is the cross street - do not turn here for Ed Jones) Go through gates into Ellington and then turn right. Follow road through Ellington following signs to Ed Jones at the top of the hill passing the museum. There is parking on both sides of the auditorium.
From I-65:
Take Exit #78-A east on Harding Place. Take a right at the second light onto Trousdale Drive. Travel south on Trousdale for approximately 1.5 miles. Turn left on to Hogan Road at the four-way stop. Hogan Road ends at the front gates of the Ellington Agricultural Center. Note: all buildings have identifying lawn signs for your convenience.
From I-24:
Take exit #56 west on Harding Place to the Nolensville Road intersection at Harding Mall. Turn left onto Nolensville Road and travel south 1/10 mile and turn right onto Edmondson Pike. Travel 1 1/2 miles on Edmondson Pike. The west entrance to Ellington Agricultural Center is on the right