Pryses’ garden offered sublime springtime dalliance

Executive Women’s Association members enjoyed a picture perfect happy hour in the garden of Sharon and Joe Pryse.

The house is located on busy Kingston Pike, but in the rear is the most peaceful scene you can imagine with a fantastic view across the Tennessee River of the University of Tennessee Research Park at Cherokee Farm.

I loved the knot garden formed from boxwoods.

Joe and Sharon Pryse welcoming visitors.

“Fleurs de Prairie” translates to “wildflowers.” A light, refreshing French rose, it was the perfect wine to offer!

Talk about a bed of roses! Rhonda Arrington checks out some of the scores of varieties in this garden.

Here are closeups of a few. Clockwise from top left, varieties are: “Louise Estes,” “Summer Love,” “St. Patrick,” “Kentucky Derby,” and “Touch of Class” The ones called “Kentucky Derby,” are the variety used in the blanket placed on the winner of that famous race each year. Thus the nickname: “Run for the Roses.”

One of my favorite features of the Pryses’ garden is Blue Frog! Susan Martin, left, and Karen Pershing liked him, too.

Unfortunately, he did not turn into a handsome prince! (At least while I was there.)

Ginny Morrow, left, and Margie Nichols Gill.

Here’s that beautiful view again, looking a little more down river.

From left, Janet Testerman, Sharon Moore, and Rachel Ford.

I love the little sculptures and statues placed throughout the garden. Like this happy girl!

And this flute player serenading the impatiens plants.

Joe Pryse said this statue originally belonged to Kristopher Kendrick, who often is called the “Father of Downtown Knoxville” due to his influence on its development. Joe bought it at an estate sale. He clearly used to be holding something. Maybe an umbrella — or a sword? I’d like to think it was a flower!

There was plenty of great food to keep us going. Caterer was Holly Hambright. She’s retired now, but still does a few jobs for old friends.

Here’s Holly, left, posing with Carolyn Jensen.

From left, Ginny Morrow, Marianne Wanamaker, and Carolyn Jensen.

A spitting fish and a little boy adorn the restful fountain on the back porch.

It really was a perfect day. That’s Ginny Morrow, left, and Linda Underwood in the foreground.

Sharon said these are a variety of rose.

See the little sleeping pig?

Linda Billman, left, and Carey Parker were walking down the hill to the river exploring little sitting areas like I was.

Kokopelli, a Native American totem.

Jan Henley, left, and Regina Dean.

Wow.

These chairs surround a fire pit. That must be fun in the evenings!

Deborah and David Allen.

This bench offered a beautiful opportunity for tranquil thought.

Jayne Burritt, left, and Louise Frazier.

The arbor is pretty now. But just wait until it’s covered with climbing vines in a few weeks.

Megan Erpenbach is the managing director of EWA. She keeps us all in line! We all loved meeting her father, Greg Locke.

What a cute family of frogs!

Foxgloves.

From left, Louise Frazier, Jayne Burritt, Ruth Ellis, Amanda Busby, and Andrea Bailey.

From left: Karen Swander, Heidi Barcus, and Celeste Herbert.

Tasha Blakney, left, and Ursula Bailey.

Fiona Hill, left, and Brenda Tombras.

Jerry Kruse and Sharon Pryse. He’s owner of The Pour Guys, everyone’s favorite bartending service.

Joe Pryse bidding us farewell from the gazebo.