CROSSVILLE —
One badly phrased sentence in last week’s article needs clarification. I wrote, “Snapshots are also an easy way to... record attractive features of landscape plants seen in yards and gardens near my home that I might consider acquiring in the future.” Awkward wording might lead readers to think this gardener writer is a midnight-skulking plant thief. (Never fear, neighbors. I’m not after the good looking plants in your yard – only their digital images.) I meant to say snapshots help me identify landscape plants with remarkable leaf color and textures, a nice shape or pretty flowers. Once the species is known, I put them on a wish-list for future purchase at local nurseries and garden centers, providing their cultural requirements (sun, soil, and moisture) match my landscape conditions.
On a recent walk-through and photo shoot at Plateau Discovery Gardens, I was seeking pictures of flowering perennials. I found unique photographic perspectives such as a scarlet honeysuckle vine climbing in the foreground which framed both a viburnum in the background whose white blossoms were just opening and a clematis vine with blue flowers clinging to a wrought iron tutor. Individual blooms and noteworthy floral displays I captured that day with my camera included a yellow rose cultivar nearly perfect in beauty and form, bearded iris blooms with dark purple petals so deep in hue they appeared to be almost black, and a great looking companion planting of tall, airy purple verbena (Verbena bonariensis) next to Strawberry Seduction yarrow whose strawberry-red flowers each had a yellow eye and bloom in luscious-looking clusters. A small butterfly garden has name plates identifying nectar-filled and pollen-rich flowers growing in that raised bed. At the center stands a wooden butterfly house. Butterflies need to drink water but cannot use deeper sources like bird baths. To one side of that bed, observe the two shallow dishes with sand in the bottom. Those are designed to allow butterflies to stop there for a quick sip of water when the sand is damp from rain.
I encourage other gardeners in Tennessee’s Upper Cumberland Region to make Plateau Discovery Gardens a road trip destination when traveling I40 near Crossville. The Gardens are open for self-guided tours during daylight hours with no entry fee. There are many reasons to stop. Come for inspiration when designing a new landscape or when adding plants to an existing one. Bring your camera or use a cell phone to take photos. Learn the botanic names of interesting specimens from plant labels. Or relax, taking time out to sit on one of the garden benches and commune with nature. Visitor parking is available behind the University of Tennessee Plateau AgResearch and Education Center main office building at 320 Experiment Station Road, Crossville, TN 38571, telephone (931) 484-0034. Find a locator map and much more information about the Gardens online at the Cumberland County Master Gardener website www.ccmga.org
Many of the plots are theme gardens planted and maintained by Cumberland County Master Gardeners. The first was a Tree and Shrub garden installed in 2005. After seven years these woody plants have grown to their mature height and spread. There are also University of Tennessee research trial plots featuring different varieties of hydrangeas, redbuds and ornamental grasses within the bounds of Discovery Gardens. Just beyond the tree line that defines the outer edge of the gardens is an ongoing rose trial that visitors may walk through as well. Ornamental plant varieties included in university research plots are evaluated as to such qualities as cold hardiness, flower production, flower and plant size, pest and disease resistance, and landscape appeal.
Plateau Gardening is written by Master Gardeners for gardeners in Tennessee’s Upper Cumberland Region. UT Extension Cumberland County, at P.O. Box 483, Crossville, TN 38557 (931-484-6743), has answers horticulture questions, free publications and details on how to become a Master Gardener. Send email comments or yard and garden inquiries to Master Gardener Rae, mgardenerrae@frontiernet.net.
Glade Sun
Related Photos
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Companion plants are tall purple verbena (Verbena bonariensis) and Strawberry Seduction yarrow.
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Visit Plateau Discovery Gardens
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FFG Board signs contract to reduce goose population for health concerns
A solution to the over population of Canada geese in Fairfield Glade is being addressed by Fairfield Glade Board of Directors. The board signed a contract with USDA Wildlife Services to remedy the health concerns caused by the large number of geese that have made their home in the resort. A presentation at the Community Center conducted by District Supervisor Keith Blanton, USDA Wildlife Services, provided the FFG Board and members an overview of the health problems due to goose droppings and methods to get the problem under control. TVA and TWRA established Canada geese flocks in Tennessee in the 1960s and 1970s. Hunters take about 20,000 geese per year during the hunting season.
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Fairfield Glade hosts Bucky Cantrell Tennis and Pickleball Classic
This past weekend the Racquet Sports Committee and William Taylor, the Racquet Sports Manager, hosted the largest number of players to enter our newly combined classic tournament. This was the first year for Pickleball and combined with the USTA sanctioned tennis tournament there were 84 participants.
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Schlafer inducted into TSSAA Hall of Fame Class of 2013
By now you may have heard or read that the Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association Hall of Fame Class of 2013 includes our very own Cumberland County School Board Ninth District representative Dan Schlafer. The luncheon to induct the new members was held on Saturday, April 20 at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center in Murfreesboro.
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Compton scores hole in one
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Read the latest edition of "The Bulletin"
The Crossville Chronicle-Glade Sun also publishes a newsletter called "The Bulletin" in which you'll find a schedule of Glade activities and events, a restaurant and dining guide, golf information, and even tour schedules. Click here for the latest PDF edition of "The Bulletin."
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Tickets on sale May 20 for Lions drawing
Grand prize for the fourth Lions Club drawing is “Create your own $8,000 Las Vegas vacation package” or $7,000 cash. How is that for a prize? You get to plan your own events at the Bellagio, Venetian or Wynn facility. This includes shows, attractions, gambling, meals or anything you desire.
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Edward Jones breaks into the Fortune 500
Financial services firm Edward Jones breaks into the Fortune 500, as published by Fortune magazine, according to Ron Davis, a financial advisor in Crossville.
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Students of the Month honored at Lions Club meeting
The first May meeting was reserved by the Fairfield Glade Lions Club to honor this year’s “Students of the Month” and their families. Nine of the 10 students were able to attend. Dakota Tillman, from The Phoenix School, was unable to attend because of prior commitments. Dakota was selected and honored for the month of April.
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Jean Redpath to headline Rugby Village Festival
World renowned Scottish Folk singer, Jean Redpath, will be just one highlight of this year’s 39th Annual Rugby Village Festival in Historic Rugby on May 17 and 18. This music and arts festival will take place in the restored Victorian village on East Tennessee’s Cumberland Plateau on State Scenic Highway 52. Festival hours will be Friday Noon – 6 p.m and Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Eastern Time.
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