My last day at the Memphis Fling was bright, colorful, and wonderful like the others. (I regrettably didn't stay for the alternate activities on Monday.) Again, I'll keep the words to a minimum, and you can read more on the Fling website and in our social media posts.
Our first stop was at the home of Pam Beasley in the suburb of Germantown. Her garden was welcoming, and full of creative touches throughout (photos above and below):
Great curb appeal, lush walkways, creative arbors covered with flowers and baskets, and comfy seating areas adorned the gardens.
Great curb appeal, lush walkways, creative arbors covered with flowers and baskets, and comfy seating areas adorned the gardens.
Next, we headed to the eclectic, 50-acre property of Susan and Jon Thompson:
Beautiful waterways and water features, and colorful planting combinations graced the property.
Artfully arranged rock and brick displays and espalied trees created more magic.
Beautiful waterways and water features, and colorful planting combinations graced the property.
Artfully arranged rock and brick displays and espalied trees created more magic.
Tatyana and Alex Jankov's property was equally welcoming in their own unique style:
Spans of native plants and pollinator favorites greeted us at the front.
Raised planting beds and a creative and tidy work area caught my eye, as did a water station for wild garden friends. It reminded me to add marbles to my own water bowl at home.
The Jankovs also had an impressive collection of beautiful Dahlias at peak bloom.
Spans of native plants and pollinator favorites greeted us at the front.
Raised planting beds and a creative and tidy work area caught my eye, as did a water station for wild garden friends. It reminded me to add marbles to my own water bowl at home.
The Jankovs also had an impressive collection of beautiful Dahlias at peak bloom.
Next, Tammy and Jim Hausman's home and gardens:
The pool was a fun element, along with comfy seating and artful planters and birdhouses.
The pool was a fun element, along with comfy seating and artful planters and birdhouses.
And the special event...floral arranging by John Mark Sharpe:
It was a nifty treat to see him work through the stages of a grand floral display.
One...
Two...
Three! (Admittedly, I think I liked it equally at the earliest stages all the way through to the end.)
It was a nifty treat to see him work through the stages of a grand floral display.
One...
Two...
Three! (Admittedly, I think I liked it equally at the earliest stages all the way through to the end.)
For lunch, we visited Bobby Lanier Farm Park:
A working model of a community-based suburban farm, it featured plentiful lush crops and a meeting area for our luncheon.
Artful wreaths and floral arrangements adorned the windows and the tables.
At Millstone Market and Nursery:
I didn't take many photos, but I loved this moss "purse." I think I will make one very soon...
Three more gardens greeted us on Sunday, in the East Memphis/Midtown area. For some reason, at the Andy Williams and John Morris garden, I focused mainly on the plants, including:
White, blue, and pink Hydrangeas of various species and cultivars.
And blooms of mixed colors.
I was also fascinated by the stages of Magnolia (M. grandiflora) development, from bud to bloom to seedhead.
White, blue, and pink Hydrangeas of various species and cultivars.
And blooms of mixed colors.
I was also fascinated by the stages of Magnolia (M. grandiflora) development, from bud to bloom to seedhead.
The gardens of Amy Bateson and Sarah Tinkler were contemplative:
Statuaries, floral displays, and water features were calm and relaxing.
This bike-hauling vehicle also captured my imagination.
This bike-hauling vehicle also captured my imagination.
Our final destination on Sunday was the quaint, sweet property of Bernhard Meck and Dakoda Davis:
A lovely home, colorful garden decorations, and special lyrics greeted us...but then there was a surprise...
A lovely home, colorful garden decorations, and special lyrics greeted us...but then there was a surprise...
A dwarf caiman in an indoor enclosure! To read more about it, check out Bernhard Meck's description.
I'll leave you with a photo of a budding and blooming Rose from the Meck/Davis garden, because so many Roses were at peak bloom and beauty during the Memphis Fling. It was a magical time and a wonderful event!
Visit the Fling website and our social media posts for more coverage. And plan now for next year's Fling in Buffalo, N.Y., July 9-12, 2026.
I'm especially drawn to the amazing water features - probably because it's hot :). Pam Beasley, does she get a lot of Office jokes?
ReplyDeleteOh, I know what you mean. I'm definitely spending time near the rivers and lakes lately, too, here at home. Seems like it's a hot summer for everyone. Re: Pam...good question. :)
DeleteYou have a very thorough and dedicated topical blog.
ReplyDeleteThank you! It is a joy to photograph and report on the plants and gardens. Your blog looks like fun! I enjoyed the post about the visitor in the coffee. :)
DeleteBeautiful tree with reddish orange, yellow, green leaves—so nicely "arranged" (next to stream, Thompson property). And nice photo :)
ReplyDeleteOh, I know! I loved that view: from up on the hill, down across the water feature, with the tree framing the scene toward the house. They had an amazing property...so creative, beautiful, and fun! Thank you.
DeleteSuch beautiful gardens. I love some of the whimsical art that gardeners create.
ReplyDelete