With the installation and dedication of the DeFord Bailey Tribute Garden on June 27, 2007, LifeWorks Foundation in partnership with EarthMatters Tennessee, brought together nearly a dozen of the approximately 20 different varieties of flora named after country music singers and songs. These roses, tea roses and day lilies include Barbara Mandrell, Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, Lynn Anderson, Elvis, Amy Grant, Minnie Pearl, Pam Tillis, Ring of Fire, Tennessee Waltz and Rocky Top. Although the majority of these flowers have been in existence for quite some time, this is the first time they have ever been housed together in one place.

Life Works Foundation Trustee, Pat Bullard, who redesigned the esteemed Belle Meade Plantation bridal garden, the Boxwood Garden in 2000, recently focused her energies on developing the Nashville Music Garden so that roses whose names have a Nashville music connection will experience increased appeal in a wider audience.  Pat’s desire is that flowers in this garden will be a living tribute to the personalities and music behind the names and draw attention to those whose contributions helped give Nashville’s worldwide recognition as Music City USA.

Soon, other flowers will be added to the collection including DeFord Bailey, Janice Wendell, Blue Bayou, Everlasting Love, Passionate Kisses, Patsy Cline, Pretty Woman, Butterfly Kisses and Brenda Lee, to name a few...with more to be added in the future.  To receive future announcements about the Nashville Music Garden Collection and its gardens, click here.    

The public can pre-order roses for their own gardens for the 2008 growing season by calling Creekside Garden Center and Landscaping in Belle Meade at (615) 356-2201 or the Gardens of Babylon in downtown Nashville at (615) 244-8949.