One of four fountains in Betsey Bush's beautiful tiered garden.
Anyone who’s spent any time whatsoever in a garden knows that the best thing about a garden is that it is constantly changing.
Because of the generosity of Betsey Bush to two important local non-profit organizations, some lucky Knoxvillians got to visit her stunning garden in March of this year and again in the summer. Click here to see the beautiful spring garden, lush with tulips, phlox and blooming dogwoods when Betsey hosted a Knoxville Symphony League “Elegant Dining” fundraiser. And read on to see the same garden in June when Betsey once again opened her home and garden as the first repast of the 2012 Knox Heritage “Summer Suppers” series.
Betsey Bush greets guests Alan Carmichael, left, and Steve Drevik.
Betsey’s house at 4084 Kingston Pike, is known as the Benjamin Morton House. Designed by Baumann and Baumann and built in 1927, it is, according to Knox Heritage, a notable example of the Colonial Revival style with Georgian elements. The house is located on a ridge above Kingston Pike, with a slope that falls sharply away from the house on both sides. Benjamin Morton (1875–1952) was the president of the wholesale grocer, H. T. Hackney Company, and served as Knoxville’s mayor from 1924 until 1927. Also known for his leadership in the establishment of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Morton lived in the house until his death in 1952.
A few years ago, Betsey Bush directed a restoration of the garden, which had almost disappeared after years of neglect. The design includes tiered planting beds laid out to follow the slope of the hillside, millstones decorating the walkways and providing landings, and four original fountains, which work their way down the hillside. Decorative elements added during the rehabilitation include metal arches, fountain statuary of copper cranes, and a bench of stained glass embedded in a concrete base. You will see all these elements in the earlier blog post as they appeared on the spring tour and again in this post as they are now, in a summer setting.
Two of the volunteer hosts, Dorothy and Caesar Stair, greeted guests as they arrived.
Lynda Evans, another volunteer host, offered bruschetta nibbles as we headed down to the garden.
Dr. Michelle Brewer passed olives stuffed with blue cheese.
I think Betsey likes bunnies. There are a lot of them throughout the property.
Beautiful begonias lead to the archway.
Water nymph
If you compare this photo with a photo of this same scene in the spring, you will see a huge difference!
Anyone know what these pretty little red flowers are?
It's all about the roses in this garden in the summer!
They are magnificent in their variety.
This is one of my favorites.
I love these delicate little beauties, but I don't know what they are.
Peter Acly pointed these out to me. He said they look like little fireworks. And they do!
This pond is all the way at the bottom of the garden. You could hear frogs all around!
The problem with going to the bottom is that eventually you must go back up.
Impatiens make a colorful display.
The hostas make a beautiful setting for this lovely bench.
Scott Bird, left, and Jeromy Welch
Bobby Brown, left, and Todd Richesin. Get a load of those blue shoes!
You have to agree that the napkin rings were appropriate!
Two of our tablemates: Rusty and Beverly Farrell. They were fun.
Steve Drevik and Lee Ann Rogers cutting up at our table. (We did, not surprisingly, have the loudest table!)
Our friends Peter Acly, Ellen Robinson, center, and her sister, Nora Robinson
The centerpieces just screamed summer!
First course: Shrimp Romesco served on homegrown lettuces
One of the best things about the Summer Suppers is that, most of the time, the food is prepared by Knox Heritage volunteers. Here, in the kitchen, are Leslie Young, left, and Helen McNabb
City Councilman Marshall Stair and Allison Easterday were hosts, too.
Main course was chicken piccata; orzo with garlic, parsley and red pepper flakes; and braised spinach.
Caesar Stair took a break to visit with, from left, Libba Wall, Sarah Penegar and Nancy McGlasson
My buddy Patricia Jobe, left, and Charlene Edwards
Jeff and Vicki Chapman
Riley and Pandy Anderson
Fred and Gina Buffum
Beth and John Thurman
Scott and Stephanie Daniel
Scott and Lynne Fugate
Jane and Rich Ray
Christine Gale and Lane Williams
The most amazing dessert ever! Homemade hazelnut truffle cake served with raspberry coulis and creme fraiche.
These ladies, Allison Easterday, left, and Laura Davis, made that fantastic dessert using a recipe of Helen McNabb. Great, great job!
And, as if we had not had enough, a very interesting cheese tray came around.
All the Summer Suppers are sponsored by Moxley Carmichael's great client, Home Federal Bank. You will see this trademark red rocking chair at each of the events this summer. Wonderful corporate citizen.
Thanks so much to the wonderful hosts of this Summer Supper: Betsey Bush, Jenny and Rick Blackburn, Michelle Brewer, Ellen Capito, Laura Davis, Allison Easterday, Lynda Evans, Melissa and Drew Everett, Helen and Sandy McNabb, Dorothy and Caesar Stair, Marshall Stair and Leslie Young.
If you’d like to buy some slots at one of the remaining Summer Suppers, there are a few seats left. Click here.
I think the mystery flower is a dahlia. Looks like a great evening.
The flowers that look like fireworks are bee balm. Hummingbirds and butterflies love them!
Betsey’s garden is amazing! I had no idea it was so expansive. Thanks for sharing not only the garden but also the people that make any party a memorable occasion! (And I think the first flowers you asked about were dahlias.)
Celeste, Glo and Rusha: Thanks for helping me figure out those flowers. I really liked the bee balm!
The delicate little yellow flowers are Coreopsis zagreb. Pale yellow ones are Coreopsis moonbeam. Enjoyed the blog.
Oh, Lusada, thanks so much! You are a woman of many talents!
Thanks for your support of Knox Heritage and Summer Suppers. This looks like it was a great kick-off to this year’s suppers. Lots more to go between now & the Mardi Gras on September 7.
Gay: Alan and I are looking forward to spending some of those Summer Suppers with you and Bill!
Cynthia et al,
Great pictures of a great evening! Thanks for the chronicle.
Sarah
Cynthia and Alan,
My jaws are tingling as I cruise your photos capturing the JUICY GOOD food, wine, and company at Betsy Bush’s magical home and gardens. Great and inspiring fun! Thanks Betsy, Dorothy Stair and Allison Easterday for organizing.
Sarah: Great seeing you there! Lynda: Thanks for helping to host! Fun, fun!
Love the garden and the people. The garden is a beautiful place to celebrate, whatever the celebration is. Thanks for posting this!
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