This course will consist of four classes, each one focusing on a single season.  For each season, we will consider seven gardens. The gardens are about six years old. Photos of individual plants and garden areas from 2025 will be used. The gardens include approximately 500 different kinds of perennials, shrubs, and trees suitable for the Upstate. Many of the plants are native to the Southeast. The gardens include a variety of habitats, both sunny and shady. Each presentation will be followed by a question-and-answer session. Class members will have the opportunity to ask questions about their own gardens. A plant list with common names and botanical names accompanied by some cultural information will be provided.    

As a professional garden designer for 45 years, Tom Pellett designed gardens in Austin, Greensboro, Memphis, north Mississippi and east Arkansas. He has been filling sketchbooks for more than 50 years and painting with watercolors for about 25 years. Tom’s gardens have been featured in several books and periodicals. His bachelor’s degree came from the California College of Art.