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Why gardening is beneficial for people of all ages

By Maida Pearson Smith
Special to the Germantown News 

As a member of the Suburban Garden Club since 1960, I have appreciated the instructions about landscaping, shrubs, annuals and perennials and the art of flower arranging.  Thus, I have enjoyed my gardens and flowers the more for their outstanding club programs, many of which are presentations from club members.
I became interested in developing the English garden rooms and have planted several areas in this manner.  The first was the rose garden.  With advice from Melissa Jones we dug 4 beds, 20’ by 4’, and filled them with layers of gravel, sand, and nutritious soil.  Each bed holds 18 to 20 tea roses.  This garden was planted in 1990 and the roses are still flourishing.
The next garden design is a small brick terrace surrounded by Annabelle Hydrangeas developed between two porches.   In the middle or this room, I placed a small fountain that provides a soothing sound for both porches.   A meditation bench completes the picture. 
There is a handsome old Hackberry tree in the lower part of the lawn that I call a climbing tree and gave that name to the surrounding garden.  A gravel path leads around and through the Green Giant Arborvitae, Dogwoods, Chinese Fringe Trees, Little Gem Magnolias, all crowded with Azaleas, Spirea, Wiegelia, Swamp Iris, spring bulbs and several varieties of Hydrangea.  An English bench is perfect for coffee and a newspaper with Dogwoods and Maples in view.
My newest venture is developing and landscaping the Koi Pond.  The pond and waterfall were completed several years ago.  Recently I enjoyed a landscape class from Tom Petit.  As part of the course I had to draw out a landscape plan in some area of my lawn and so I chose to complete a garden around the pond.  A planted semicircle of trees and shrubs leaves a fairly large grass lawn area between the beds and the terraced picnic table.  The beds contain Green Giant Arborvitae and Little Gem Magnolias providing much needed privacy and a good green backdrop for Azaleas and Spirea.  Shrubs are interspersed with roses, annuals, and perennials.  The flagstone terrace around the pond is bordered with Hydrangea and roses, a perfect spot for a late afternoon cold drink and book.
Gardening has added immensely to my life.  Dirty hands digging into the soil digs into the soul.  Peace and solitude follow.

Suburban is a member of the  Tennessee Federation of Garden Clubs.


Maida Pearson Smith’s garden is already starting to show some of its many colors. Maida, who has a huge garden complete with a koi pond, is a member of the Suburban Garden Club. Although blooming early this year, the garden surrounding Maida Pearson Smith’s house is already showing off colorful tulips in many areas. 
Photos by Rebekah M. Yearout

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