WSMV Channel 4 Nashville resort gardener tends to 50,000 plants

Nashville resort gardener tends to 50,000 plants

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Proud of your big garden? Then consider Hollis Malone, who's in charge of maintaining 50,000 tropical plants, rare international blooms and Southern species at the sprawling Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville.

His garden covers nine acres of lavish landscape inside soaring, glistening glass atriums at the resort, which bills itself as the largest non-gaming hotel facility in the continental U.S. There are literally hundreds of species.

He can stop and smell the roses, for sure. There are thousands.

When that's done, Malone can look up at 60-foot-tall banana trees. For good measure, there are two 40-foot-tall Southern magnolias. Not quite so imposing are 6-foot-tall ginger bushes.

The 65-year-old Malone says his job is nothing like an office with a plant or two inside.

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