Tina and I had an opportunity to travel to Nashville over the weekend to attend the Tenarky District Fall Rose Show. Hosted by the Nashville Rose Society, this district event covers American Rose Societies in Tennessee Arkansas and Kentucky, but rose enthusiasts from all over travel to be a part of the show.
Photo Credit: Belmont University Archive
The show was held at Belmont University. Steeped in history, Belmont was once the private residence of Adelicia Acklen, a prominent Nashville citizen. The home eventually became a school for women which merged with Ward seminary to become Ward-Belmont and is now Belmont University. For country music buffs, Mrs. Sarah Cannon was a graduate of Ward Belmont. Many know her as “Minnie Pearl”.
Belmont Mansion – Built in 1853
The rose show was great. I got there early to watch some of the exhibitors preparing their roses and had hoped to bring some of my own blooms, but it was not to be…. The exhibitors sure had some pretty blooms on display, as well as some breathtaking arrangements. My photography skills will not do them justice.
As always, we met some super people and saw some of our rose friends and one person from our own society that I didn’t know was coming! She won “King of Show” with her blooms of ‘Europeana’ floribunda. Not only were there some wonderful roses and arrangements; several classes and seminars were also offered on various topics such as, “Growing Buck Roses” (roses hybridized by Dr. Griffin Buck), “Rose Growing Basics” plus a keynote address by the Director of the Belmont Mansion entitled “The Historical Heritage of the Gardens at Belmont”.
In my mind, rose shows of any size should serve two purposes: To showcase the beautiful blooms that are grown in that area and to encourage people to grow roses. This show accomplished both. Below are a few of the 100+ photos I took. If you click on an image it should bring up a slide show for better viewing…
Belmont Mansion – Built in 1853
Awesome Use of Coleus Civil War era statuary
Example of the rose beds at Belmont
Tina with one of the beautiful statues at Belmont
Me standing in the beautifully restored rose garden at Belmont
The rose garden is built to surround this statue. Notice the rose in her hand.
Prepping Roses For The Show
‘Lynn Anderson’ Hybrid Tea
Beautiful Arrangement ‘Joy’ Miniature Rose
English Box Miniatures & Miniflora Roses
Roses Floating in Bowls Great way to exhibit a pretty bloom with bad foliage!
Wow! English Box ‘St. Patrick’ Hybrid Tea
English Box ‘Louise Estes’ Hybrid Tea
English Box ‘Veteran’s Honor Hybrid Tea
Great bloom of Mr. Lincoln Hybrid Tea
Princess of Show Winner ‘Veteran’s Honor’ Hybrid Tea
King Of Show Winner ‘Hot Princess’ Hybrid Tea
Miniflora Queen ‘Shameless’
Miniature Queen ‘Joy’
Queen of Show ‘Randy Scott’ Hybrid Tea
Header image courtesy of Belmont University photo archive. Unless otherwise notes, all other photos are my own.
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About Chris VanCleave - America's Favorite Rose Gardener
Christopher R. VanCleave – America’s Favorite Rose Gardener
Nicknamed "The Redneck Rosarian”, Chris VanCleave is passionate about gardening and growing roses. He is an active member of the Birmingham chapter of the American Rose Society, serving two terms as President. In 2007, he created the Rose Chat Podcast which has reached over a half a million listeners with news and information on growing on growing the world’s most beloved flower, the rose.
He was a contributor to the 2015 Southern Living Gardening Book, has appeared on P. Allen Smith’s Garden Home television show and was featured in the June 2015 issue of Southern Living Magazine. Locally, Chris serves as Chairman of the Helena Alabama Beautification Board where he has spearheaded efforts to create a sustainable landscape in one of the top one hundred places to live in the United States.
His writing is seen at About.com and on his popular website; RedneckRosarian.com, where he chronicles his gardening adventures and explores an intrinsic mix of life, faith and gardening.
An agent of change with over 20 years’ experience in process innovation, Mr. VanCleave is leading the charge to reinvigorate horticultural societies and helping them to reach their full potential in the social media age.
The Redneck Rosarian 
I’ve always thought that it would be very fun to go to a rose show.
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Oh, you should. You would love it. So many roses. We always take pen and paper for a list of roses we want that we see at the shows…. A great way to meet others who love roses and share info, etc…. Highly recommend!
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Chris, great coverage of the Tenarky District Fall Rose Show and the rose garden at Belmont. I truly enjoyed looking at your photos!
Christina
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Christina, Thank you. It was a great show. Such beautiful blooms. Not many old roses on display. So many of them bloom in spring. i was glad to have had the opportunity to go.
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I’ve never been to an exclusively rose show! How wonderful!
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You should try to attend one. With over 300 rose societies in the US, their is sure to be one near you. You’re always welcome to come to Birmingham and see our show. It’s held on Mother’s day weekend each year at the beautiful Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
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A great report on such a fun time! Love all the wonderful pictures! But, I’m sure you know, Tina is your best trophy! So many great pictures of her! 🙂
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She is indeed!
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I can’t believe I’ve never been to a rose show.Your post has convinced me that I must attend one asap. And I think your photos are lovely!
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