Friday, Oct. 2 – Open Gardens Tour

If you would like to visit local gardens around Nashville before the Friday evening reception, we have three gardens that will be open – Becky Willoughby, Ron Daniels, and Lisa Schaaf, all members of the Nashville Rose Society. Lisa’s garden will be open from 10:00am to 3:00pm, and Becky’s and Ron’s gardens will be open from 1:00pm to 3:00pm.

A bus going to Becky’s and Ron’s gardens will be leaving the Sheraton Music City Hotel at 12:30 and will be back by 3:30. The first 25 people who sign up (see below) will have seats on the bus. John Wendler, Nashville Rose Society member and former co-president, will be the tour guide on the bus. Directions to all three gardens will be available at the Registration Desk for those who have their own transportation.

Becky’s Willoughby at Willoughby Farm
The Willoughby Farm in Gallatin, Tennessee, is where “A Rose Named David” sits on a hill overlooking the farm. What began for Becky Willoughby as a love of roses has grown into a garden of more than 320 bush roses, representing many different types and varieties, all planted in a self-designed, English-inspired garden setting. As you walk through the garden, you’ll find numerous arbors, trellises, and obelisks supporting an additional 36 climbing roses. Each rose seems to have its own personality.

Growing roses in Zone 7b has certainly come with its challenges. Freezing temperatures and unexpected cold snaps, pest pressures, and late summer heat waves can take their toll. But every season brings something new to learn and enjoy, which is part of what makes this garden so special. Roses bring endless inspiration, opportunities to stay active, and many dear friendships and mentors. Becky says, “I’m grateful to share my garden with you, and I hope it is able to bring you inspiration and joy like it has brought me”.

Ron Daniels’ Gadwall Abbey
Ron Daniels’ garden, known as Gadwall Abbey Rose Garden, is a carefully designed landscape of beauty, learning, and hospitality that has earned admiration among rose enthusiasts and visitors alike.

Established in 2013, Gadwall Abbey is Daniels’ third rose garden. Rather than simply planting roses wherever space allowed, Daniels approached the project with clear priorities: accessibility, strong plant performance, and ease of care. The result is a garden that balances serious rose growing with thoughtful design.

Today Ron’s garden has more than 150 roses spanning an impressive range of classes. Visitors will find climbers reaching upward, sturdy shrub roses, exhibition hybrid teas, grandifloras, floribundas, miniatures, and mini-floras. Old garden roses and species roses share space with modern varieties, including beloved selections from David Austin. Even tree roses add a vertical element to the display.

Lisa Schaaf’s “Uptown Girl”
Lisa Schaaf’s garden in Franklin, TN, will be open from 10:00am to 3:00pm. Lisa has 280+ roses, slightly neglected, poorly pruned roses, weeds and all (but overall happy). A garden with an attitude!

Directions to all three gardens will be available at the Registration Desk on Friday, October 2, 2026.

To sign up for the bus, send a message to diane@medleyofroses.org. There is not charge for the bus, but tips for the driver will be appreciated.