Franklin County Garden Club member Helen Tinnerman of Winchester presented a workshop called “Adventures in Landscaping” at a recent meeting.

Tinnerman, who is a master gardener as well as a landscape-design consultant credited through the National Garden Clubs, Inc., gave the program at her turn-of-the-century home, where she has resided for 45 years.

She told club members that when she moved to Tennessee from Texas, she was not familiar with the flowers, trees and shrubs grown here in Franklin County, but she was fortunate to have neighbors who were willing to share plants and tips.

In fact, she said her neighbors threw all types of plants over her fence as they divided their perennials which she used to begin her garden which is now flourishing with memories of those wonderful neighbors who shared their knowledge and plants.

Tinnerman’s lovely landscaping incorporates the following designs and themes to add interest: formal design using geometric patterns and hard lines; informal designs featuring curves and soft lines; and cottage designs that includes flowing, curved paths, packed beds, old-fashioned plants, romantic looks and meaningful décor along with low maintenance.

Tinnerman’s front yard features a more formal design that includes a double row of shrubs and hostas lined with mondo grass as well as old-fashioned daffodils to provide early color and mondo grass that meanders around the trees.

Her shady backyard incorporates an informal design with cottage planting on display featuring large beds that encompass large shade trees.

Around the perimeter, she has incorporated a large variety of perennials and shrubs to include: hosta, lenten roses, monkey grass, wisteria, aucuba, roses, euonymus, boxwood, phlox, astilbe, sedge, hydrangea, hemlock, crepe myrtle, arborvitae, spiderwort, echinacea, elephant ears, azalea, Japanese ferns, blackeyed Susans, sage, vinca, mondo grass, crocus, iris, surprise lilies, spider lilies and other bulbs, lily of the valley and others.

 A focal point in her side yard is a blue picnic table with large, blue ceramic planters as well as yard art.

Tinnerman told club members to consider several things when landscaping such as what you want to happen in the space and what is already in the space as far as the type of soil and existing plantings.

A good design, she said, includes the following: rhythm, harmony, balance and proportion. Other elements to consider in your landscape include the shape, size, mass, color and texture.

She added that sound in the yard is also important as well as lighting.

Tinnerman’s best advice to others is to have a five-year plan and expand, choose repetition, select easy-to-grow plants, pay attention to what grows where, consider all seasons of the year and remember that low-maintenance is actually careful neglect.

Garden Club President Lola Eslick said the meeting was a very informative one with lots of great advice.

“We all took home ideas and got on Helen’s list to receive plants when she separates hers,” Eslick said. “A journal would be an excellent way to evaluate your garden from season-to-season and year-to-year. Learn what does well in your space as well as what does not and enjoy your garden space!”