OUR JOURNEY
Ed and I left England for Florida, and moved from Florida to Tennessee. Throughout our
travels one thing remained constant - our love of gardening. No sooner had we set up house
than we were digging away and creating a garden. Over the years, gardening has brought us
enjoyment, relaxation, an escape from stress, and it has probably kept us fairly fit. I must point
out that our journey has been much more than moving from country to country, and one area
to another, it has been the realization of what we really wanted to do with our lives; what we
were capable of doing, and finally having the opportunity, determination and courage to do it.
We both grew up in Coventry, England, although our love of gardening came at different
periods of our lives. As a little girl I always loved flowers. I adored playing in the fields around
my house, picking daisies and buttercups, and making daisy chains to place around my neck.
Every springtime I would marvel at the drifts of bluebells that carpeted the woodland; the
primroses, celandines and cowslips - so many wildflowers and I loved them all. My parents
bought me a book - "British Flowers In Color" - quite an adult book for a young girl, but I
appreciated it then, and I still treasure it now. My father nurtured my love of gardening by
providing a small plot in our backyard to sow my own flower seeds. I remember one year I had
great success with a packet of annual dianthus. That summer my little plot was amass with
colorful, sweet smelling flowers, and I was thrilled.
Ed bought his first house as a young man. It had quite a large garden (by British standards),
which was already cultivated, so he very quickly had to learn how to maintain it. That triggered
his interest in gardening. He eventually added to the flowers that already grew there by
growing fruit and vegetables. I remember that just after we met, he came over to my house
and brought a dish of freshly picked raspberries - they were delicious. Now I honestly can't
say that he won me over with that dish of raspberries - but I was impressed!!
We married in 1978. During holidays and weekends we often visited many of the splendid
botanical gardens and other English National Trust properties. Hidcote Manor Garden was
our favorite. A garden set in 10 acres, with 5 acres cultivated, it was in fact developed by an
American gentleman, Lawrence Johnston, back in the 1930's. Mentioning this is quite
significant, because many years later Hidcote became the main inspiration behind Rosewood
Gardens.
In 1981 Ed and myself, together with our young daughter, Kerry, emigrated to the United
States to take up a job offer Ed had received in Florida. We lived near Fort Lauderdale for 12
years, and during that time our vacations took us to North Carolina and Tennessee, and the
spectacular scenery of the Great Smoky Mountains. In the early 90's. Ed's disenchantment
with his job, and my passion for gardening, led us to start thinking about a business project of
our own. We needed a good tourist area, and one that would offer all four seasons, to allow
us to grow many of the plants we were accustomed to in Britain. Our favorite area around the
"Smokies" was the obvious place to begin looking for land to purchase.
travels one thing remained constant - our love of gardening. No sooner had we set up house
than we were digging away and creating a garden. Over the years, gardening has brought us
enjoyment, relaxation, an escape from stress, and it has probably kept us fairly fit. I must point
out that our journey has been much more than moving from country to country, and one area
to another, it has been the realization of what we really wanted to do with our lives; what we
were capable of doing, and finally having the opportunity, determination and courage to do it.
We both grew up in Coventry, England, although our love of gardening came at different
periods of our lives. As a little girl I always loved flowers. I adored playing in the fields around
my house, picking daisies and buttercups, and making daisy chains to place around my neck.
Every springtime I would marvel at the drifts of bluebells that carpeted the woodland; the
primroses, celandines and cowslips - so many wildflowers and I loved them all. My parents
bought me a book - "British Flowers In Color" - quite an adult book for a young girl, but I
appreciated it then, and I still treasure it now. My father nurtured my love of gardening by
providing a small plot in our backyard to sow my own flower seeds. I remember one year I had
great success with a packet of annual dianthus. That summer my little plot was amass with
colorful, sweet smelling flowers, and I was thrilled.
Ed bought his first house as a young man. It had quite a large garden (by British standards),
which was already cultivated, so he very quickly had to learn how to maintain it. That triggered
his interest in gardening. He eventually added to the flowers that already grew there by
growing fruit and vegetables. I remember that just after we met, he came over to my house
and brought a dish of freshly picked raspberries - they were delicious. Now I honestly can't
say that he won me over with that dish of raspberries - but I was impressed!!
We married in 1978. During holidays and weekends we often visited many of the splendid
botanical gardens and other English National Trust properties. Hidcote Manor Garden was
our favorite. A garden set in 10 acres, with 5 acres cultivated, it was in fact developed by an
American gentleman, Lawrence Johnston, back in the 1930's. Mentioning this is quite
significant, because many years later Hidcote became the main inspiration behind Rosewood
Gardens.
In 1981 Ed and myself, together with our young daughter, Kerry, emigrated to the United
States to take up a job offer Ed had received in Florida. We lived near Fort Lauderdale for 12
years, and during that time our vacations took us to North Carolina and Tennessee, and the
spectacular scenery of the Great Smoky Mountains. In the early 90's. Ed's disenchantment
with his job, and my passion for gardening, led us to start thinking about a business project of
our own. We needed a good tourist area, and one that would offer all four seasons, to allow
us to grow many of the plants we were accustomed to in Britain. Our favorite area around the
"Smokies" was the obvious place to begin looking for land to purchase.
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It has taken us over 13 years to develop the garden so far, and there is still plenty of work
ahead. During those years, we both had to continue with our jobs to provide the necessary
income to proceed. I left my job after 5 years to work on the garden fulltime. Ed continued to
work until May 2004, and his occupation often meant that he had to live away from home during
the week. It hasn't been easy, especially for Ed, but his determination has never failed. I must
admit that my resolve does falter a little from time to time. We work on this project 7 days a
week for most of the year. Even winter does not bring much respite, because there is always
something to do in a garden of this size to prepare for the seasons ahead. Despite all that, the
rewards are many, and I realize just how fortunate we are to have so much beauty surrounding
us.
ahead. During those years, we both had to continue with our jobs to provide the necessary
income to proceed. I left my job after 5 years to work on the garden fulltime. Ed continued to
work until May 2004, and his occupation often meant that he had to live away from home during
the week. It hasn't been easy, especially for Ed, but his determination has never failed. I must
admit that my resolve does falter a little from time to time. We work on this project 7 days a
week for most of the year. Even winter does not bring much respite, because there is always
something to do in a garden of this size to prepare for the seasons ahead. Despite all that, the
rewards are many, and I realize just how fortunate we are to have so much beauty surrounding
us.
The search for the right piece of
property was a tough one. Finally
we found 17 acres in an area just
outside of Sevierville. The terrain
was sloping and hilly in parts - it
was rough and very overgrown, but
the views of the mountains from the
higher parts of the land were
stunning, and we knew it had
potential. We designed the house,
had it built and moved to
Tennessee in August 1994.
property was a tough one. Finally
we found 17 acres in an area just
outside of Sevierville. The terrain
was sloping and hilly in parts - it
was rough and very overgrown, but
the views of the mountains from the
higher parts of the land were
stunning, and we knew it had
potential. We designed the house,
had it built and moved to
Tennessee in August 1994.
click on image to enlarge
View from top deck area - English Mountains and Mt Guyot in
the Great Smoky Mountains
the Great Smoky Mountains
Asters and other late summer flowers in the Mixed Border - mid September
(Photograph courtesy of Louann D'Amico)
(Photograph courtesy of Louann D'Amico)
I always add a paragraph or two, on our "Journey" page each year, often to reflect on the year
that has past, and always to look ahead at the months to come. It has to be said that, in terms
of the climate, 2007 was an incredibly tough year for gardens and gardeners alike in East
Tennessee. The disastrous freeze in April preceded the worst drought on record. Despite that
we managed to keep the bloom and interest going for our garden visitors and wedding parties to
enjoy. Thank goodness for the irrigation system - It may be pretty basic, but it saved the day.
For Ed and I, the year ended up on a very sad note, as my dear Mom passed away in England
on Christmas Day. Before returning to a Care Home in England in October, she had lived with
us in Tennessee for 17 months, following my Father's passing in 2006. She loved Tennessee,
particularly the people, and the visitors would often have a chat to her. She will be missed.
that has past, and always to look ahead at the months to come. It has to be said that, in terms
of the climate, 2007 was an incredibly tough year for gardens and gardeners alike in East
Tennessee. The disastrous freeze in April preceded the worst drought on record. Despite that
we managed to keep the bloom and interest going for our garden visitors and wedding parties to
enjoy. Thank goodness for the irrigation system - It may be pretty basic, but it saved the day.
For Ed and I, the year ended up on a very sad note, as my dear Mom passed away in England
on Christmas Day. Before returning to a Care Home in England in October, she had lived with
us in Tennessee for 17 months, following my Father's passing in 2006. She loved Tennessee,
particularly the people, and the visitors would often have a chat to her. She will be missed.
The highlight of our garden year in 2007, was the introduction of weddings in the garden, and we
thank "Above The Mist Weddings Services" and "Stellar Weddings" for working with us in
coordinating all the arrangements. This year we have expanded our facilities to offer a new bridal
changing room, plus an indoor area for catering buffet style receptions etc.
In May we look forward to welcoming a crew from "Martha Stewart Living" who will be flying down
from New York to do a "shoot" here at Rosewood for their March 2009 issue. We understand
that we have the privilege of being the first Southern garden to be featured in their magazine.
(Now cancelled - see below)
Even though we are not yet officially open for the year, we have already had the pleasure of
showing many future brides around the garden, and commencing in April, as always, we look
forward to welcoming our garden visitors and wedding parties, and certainly hope that Mother
Naturel looks on us more kindly this year!
thank "Above The Mist Weddings Services" and "Stellar Weddings" for working with us in
coordinating all the arrangements. This year we have expanded our facilities to offer a new bridal
changing room, plus an indoor area for catering buffet style receptions etc.
In May we look forward to welcoming a crew from "Martha Stewart Living" who will be flying down
from New York to do a "shoot" here at Rosewood for their March 2009 issue. We understand
that we have the privilege of being the first Southern garden to be featured in their magazine.
(Now cancelled - see below)
Even though we are not yet officially open for the year, we have already had the pleasure of
showing many future brides around the garden, and commencing in April, as always, we look
forward to welcoming our garden visitors and wedding parties, and certainly hope that Mother
Naturel looks on us more kindly this year!
Kay Chapman, March 16th 2008
April 11th 2008. "Martha Stewart Living" contacted us and owing to the downturn in the
economy, they have had to make budget cuts, and unfortunately our shoot is one of them
economy, they have had to make budget cuts, and unfortunately our shoot is one of them