A nonprofit TN organization supporting horticulture education in TN, the use of perennial plants and effective gardening techniques
2024 Society Meetings & Events
PLANT SOCIETY MEETING 2024
Date: Tuesday, Sep 17, 2024
Time: Social Hospitality: 6:30 pm Meeting: 7:00 pm
Location: Ed Jones Auditorium at Ellington Agricultural Center in Nashville
Speaker::Carol Reese
Subject:“Native Plants: Facts, Fabrications and Foibles”
Are native plants really more likely to succeed? Are they always the better choice for supporting insects? Carol’s program separates fact from fiction and champions all well-behaved plants that provide exceptional sustenance for insects and other wildlife. She suggests that dismissing a plant based on its origin rather than its ecological merits has the potential to result in more harm than good to our already damaged planet. This thought-provoking program will question the entire concept of “native” - and if trying to freeze the available plant selections to a particular moment in time is beneficial - or even possible. Hold onto your hats while Carol humorously uses Frankenstein, Sitting Bull, mastodons, space travel and kitchen blenders to build her case on the importance of not limiting the plant palette, and invites unification over the hugely important goal of providing for the “little things that run the world.” (Phrase coined by the late great E.O. Wilson)
Biography Carol Reese grew up on a farm in Mississippi where she learned much about the land from her family. In her 30’s, she pursued her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Mississippi State University in horticulture. Carol worked as a regional horticulture extension specialist for the University of Tennessee’s West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center in Jackson, TN for 27 years, inspiring countless gardeners with her humor and scientific approach to learning. She is beloved in the horticulture community for giving sensational presentations across the country that push the envelope of people’s understanding of the natural world. Additionally, she wrote Q&A articles for Horticulture magazine and contributed a weekly column to the Jackson Sun newspaper for many years. At home, Carol roams the 117 acres of her mostly wild property with her dogs.
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 6:30 p.m., with the formal meeting beginning at 7:00 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