Tennessee’s diverse climate and soil conditions make it a unique environment for landscaping. With the right plants, you can create a stunning outdoor space that thrives year-round. Whether you want to enhance curb appeal or add vibrant colors to your yard, selecting the best landscaping plants is essential.
Let’s help you find the best landscaping plants for Tennessee properties. Before looking at a catalog of plants, here are some of our recommendations based on Tennessee’s regions and conditions.
The Importance of Choosing Your Plants in Landscape Design
Choosing the best plants in landscape designs goes beyond aesthetics. By carefully and thoughtfully going through your options, you can ensure:
- Climate Compatibility: Selecting plants suited to your region’s climate ensures they thrive. The climate in Tennessee varies between areas, so different plants can survive different climates and landscape design choices, such as soil types and overall environments.
- Environmental Impact: Native plants can reduce water consumption and the need for chemical fertilizers or pesticides. They also support local ecosystems, providing food and shelter for pollinators and other wildlife.
- Longevity and Maintenance: Choosing the right plants minimizes maintenance costs and effort over time. Hardy, region-appropriate plants are less likely to succumb to disease or extreme weather.
Best Landscaping Plants for Tennessee
Tennessee’s regions offer distinct conditions that influence which plants perform best. Here are our recommendations for the best plants to grow in Tennessee, tailored for different areas and other specific categories you would like to explore to achieve your custom landscape design.
Best Landscaping Plants for East Tennessee
East Tennessee’s mountainous terrain and cooler climate make it ideal for certain hardy and visually striking plants. Our top picks include:
- Dogwood Tree (Cornus florida): A Tennessee favorite, it is celebrated for its stunning spring blooms and vibrant fall foliage. Thriving in partial shade and well-drained soil, it’s perfect for East Tennessee’s cooler, moist conditions.
- Rhododendron: Known for their large, colorful blooms, Rhododendrons thrive in acidic soils common in East Tennessee. These shrubs add elegance to any landscape and do best in shaded or partially shaded areas.
- Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis): A native tree with heart-shaped leaves and vibrant pink-purple blooms, the Eastern Redbud is a stunning springtime addition. It’s hardy and well-suited for the area’s climate.
Best Landscaping Plants for Middle Tennessee
From garden landscapes in Mt. Juliet homes to commercial outdoor spaces in Wilson County, Middle Tennessee’s rolling hills and moderate climate create ideal conditions for versatile plants. These can include:
- Hydrangeas: With their large, colorful blooms, Hydrangeas are a standout choice. They thrive in partial shade and well-drained soil, making them perfect for garden landscapes in the area.
- Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta): This cheerful yellow flower is hardy, drought-tolerant and perfect for sunny spots. Black-eyed Susans bring vibrant color and attract pollinators to your yard.
- Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum): Its brilliant fall foliage makes it a popular choice for landscapes. It provides shade in summer and a stunning display of red, orange and yellow in autumn.
Low Maintenance Plants for Tennessee
For property owners who want to achieve beautiful outdoor spaces without constant upkeep, it’s best to choose low maintenance landscaping plants that require minimal care. These low maintenance plants in landscape design include:
- Sedum (Stonecrop): Sedum’s succulent leaves and bright blooms make it a striking ground cover or border plant. It’s drought-tolerant and thrives in poor soil, making it perfect for busy homeowners or businesses who want to minimize outdoor upkeep.
- Hostas: Hostas are shade-loving perennials known for their lush foliage. They require little care and add texture to shaded garden areas, making them low maintenance landscaping options.
- Ornamental Grasses: Ornamental grasses such as Miscanthus or Festuca create movement and structure in the landscape. They’re drought-tolerant, have low maintenance full sun landscape design options and easily thrive in Tennessee’s climates.
Perennial Flowers in Tennessee
Perennial flowers in Tennessee properties offer lasting beauty, reducing the need for replanting. Here are some favorites that make good winter plants outdoors:
- Coneflower (Echinacea): Coneflowers are hardy perennials with vibrant, daisy-like blooms. They attract pollinators and thrive in sunny, well-drained locations.
- Daylilies (Hemerocallis): Daylilies are adaptable and come in a wide range of colors. These tough perennials are perfect for borders or mass plantings.
- Bee Balm (Monarda): Bee Balm is a fragrant perennial that attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Its bright red, pink, or purple blooms add charm to any garden.
Cold Weather Outdoor Plants
Tennessee winters can be mild to harsh, depending on the region. These cold weather outdoor plants can endure colder conditions typical in winter:
- Winterberry (Ilex verticillata): This deciduous holly provides vibrant red berries in winter, creating visual interest when other plants are dormant. It’s a great choice for adding color to cold-weather landscapes.
- Lenten Rose (Helleborus): Blooming in late winter or early spring, Lenten Roses are evergreen perennials that thrive in shaded areas. Their resilience to the cold makes them a standout choice.
- Blue Spruce (Picea pungens): This evergreen tree offers striking blue-green foliage year-round. Its conical shape and hardiness make it a popular choice for winter landscapes.
Why Should You Let the Experts Handle Your Landscaping Needs?
Landscaping is an art and science that requires careful planning, expertise and attention to detail. Even with the best landscaping plants for Tennessee environments, the output may not align with your vision without a team of experienced professionals. Here’s why hiring landscaping professionals is a smart investment for your outdoor spaces:
- Tailored Plant Selection: Experts understand Tennessee’s regional climates and can recommend plants that thrive in your specific environment.
- Professional Installation: A well-designed landscape blends functionality and beauty, enhancing your property’s value and curb appeal. From realistic design renderings to installation, professionals can consider soil preparation, spacing, drainage and other important considerations.
- Time and Effort Savings: High-quality landscaping takes time. By consulting experts early, you’ll avoid costly mistakes and enjoy a seamless process. Your landscape will flourish for years, offering you a lasting return on investment.
Transform Your Outdoor Spaces With Master’s Landscape Design
Choosing the best plants for your Tennessee landscape is the first step toward creating a beautiful, thriving outdoor space. Whether you’re working with the cooler conditions of East Tennessee, the rolling hills of Middle Tennessee, or seeking low-maintenance options, there’s a perfect plant for every yard.
At Master’s Landscape Design, we’re passionate about bringing your vision to life. Browse our catalog of plants and other flora suitable for residential and commercial outdoor spaces in Tennessee, or contact Master’s Landscape Design for a complimentary consultation.