Nashville is located in the U.S. Department of Agriculture\u2019s hardiness zone 7a. Make sure these native species are hardy down to 0 degrees Fahrenheit as a hedge against winter loss.<\/p>
1. Coreopsis (coreopsis major<\/em>)<\/h2> ![\"close-up](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_4715504896_93810ae29a_c.jpg\")
Chris M Morris | Flickr<\/a> | CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> Also known as large tickseed, coreopsis<\/a> is native to Middle and Eastern Tennessee. In summer, coreopsis produces bright yellow blooms that resemble daisies. This flower attracts bees and butterflies, and in the colder months, birds enjoy snacking on the seeds that resemble ticks (how it got its nickname). Coreopsis can grow in full sun or partial shade.
<\/p> If you have dry or infertile soil, this is a flower to consider. It can develop crown rot if the soil is too moist or poorly drained. Divide this flower every few years to maintain healthy growth, and deadhead the blooms if you don\u2019t want them to self-seed.
<\/p>
- Plant type:<\/strong> Flower<\/li>
- Sun:<\/strong> Full sun, partial shade<\/li>
- Water needs:<\/strong> Dry or moderately dry<\/li>
- Soil:<\/strong> Will tolerate most soils, but sandy or rocky preferred<\/li>
- Duration:<\/strong> Perennial<\/li>
- Mature height: <\/strong>2-3 feet<\/li><\/ul>
2. Wild blue phlox (phlox divaricata<\/em>)<\/h2> ![\"pale](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_2498247174_8bd0186975_c.jpg\")
Aine | Flickr<\/a> | CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> If you\u2019re on the lookout for a shade-tolerant flower to complement your landscaping beds, consider wild blue phlox<\/a>. Also called by the common names of woodland phlox or wild sweet William, this spring bloomer produces dainty petals in a variety of colors, including white, lavender, rose, or blue.
<\/p> Wild blue phlox is slow to spread but may develop into a colony over time. This flower is a favorite of pests, namely rabbits, and pollinators, including butterflies and hummingbirds.
<\/p>
- Plant type:<\/strong> Flower<\/li>
- Sun:<\/strong> Partial shade, full shade<\/li>
- Water needs:<\/strong> Tolerates medium-dry to medium-wet soils<\/li>
- Soil:<\/strong> Widely adapted, but prefers soil with lots of organic matter<\/li>
- Duration:<\/strong> Perennial<\/li>
- Mature height:<\/strong> Up to 1.5 feet<\/li><\/ul>
3. Cardinal flower (lobelia cardinalis<\/em>)<\/h2> ![\"vibrant](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/rsz_3839857177_ac2893f80a_c.jpg\")
DM | Flickr<\/a> | CC BY-ND 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> Ever wanted to start your own poison garden<\/a>? Now\u2019s your chance. According to North Carolina State University<\/a>, cardinal flower<\/a> is moderately poisonous to humans if ingested and is problematic for cats, dogs, and horses<\/a>. Pollinators, such as butterflies and hummingbirds, love it, though.
<\/p> This summer bloomer puts out tall, red flowers that make a stunning focal point for your flower beds. Mulching this flower helps retain moisture in the soil, which is important since cardinal flower only thrives in wet conditions. If you have a rain garden, this is a great plant to include.
<\/p>
- Plant type:<\/strong> Wildflower<\/li>
- Sun:<\/strong> Partial shade<\/li>
- Water needs:<\/strong> Needs to stay moist at all times<\/li>
- Soil:<\/strong> Prefers moderately wet to wet soil that is rich and mildly acidic. Likes to live next to streams or in moist meadows or woodland habitats. <\/li>
- Duration:<\/strong> Perennial; divide every three years to perpetuate this flower<\/li>
- Mature height: <\/strong>2-4 feet<\/li><\/ul>
4. Wild azalea (rhododendron canescens<\/em>)<\/h2> ![\"white-ish](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_14136444328_fd337ef98f_c.jpg\")
Duane Burdick | Flickr<\/a> | CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> Here\u2019s another addition to your poison garden: Wild azalea<\/a>. Also known as piedmont azalea, wild azalea is classified as highly poisonous<\/a> to humans and toxic to animals<\/a>, including dogs, cats, and horses. Of course, if you don\u2019t eat it, you\u2019ll be fine, and one study<\/a> seems to conclude that many cases of ingestion produce only mild symptoms.
<\/p> The trumpet-shaped pink and white flowers bloom from March through April and attract some wildlife, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Use mulch to help retain consistent moisture levels and temperature.
<\/p>
Wild azalea is susceptible to disease and insect pressure. In some situations, the leaves may scorch if planted in full sun. Prevent root rot by providing well-drained soil, and avoid getting the leaves wet to prevent fungal diseases. Address insect issues with organic or chemical sprays. You also can select disease-resistant cultivars<\/a> to prevent common problems in your area.
<\/p> - Plant type:<\/strong> Shrub<\/li>
- Sun:<\/strong> Full sun, partial shade<\/li>
- Water needs:<\/strong> Moderate moisture<\/li>
- Soil:<\/strong> Prefers soil with a high organic matter content but tolerates sandy and loam soils. The soil must<\/strong> be acidic. <\/li>
- Duration:<\/strong> Perennial<\/li>
- Mature height:<\/strong> 6-8 feet tall by 3-6 feet wide<\/li><\/ul>
5. Spicebush (lindera benzoin<\/em>)<\/h2> ![\"bright](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_lindera_benzoin_-_spicebush.jpg\")
Fritzflohrreynolds | Wikimedia Commons<\/a> | CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> Spicebush<\/a> is prized for its bright red berries and stunning yellow fall foliage. The berries and yellow leaves peak in the fall. As a bonus, spicebush puts out small, yellow flowers in late winter after it loses its leaves.
<\/p> Spicebush is often planted in full sun in a residential landscape but lives naturally in wet, shady areas in the wild. In a sunnier location, this perennial plant puts on more blooms and grows more densely than it does in a shaded location. If you buy several of these, you\u2019ll have to take your chances and hope you get a male and female plant. Both male and female plants are required to produce berries.
<\/p>
- Plant type:<\/strong> Shrub<\/li>
- Sun:<\/strong> Full sun, partial shade<\/li>
- Water needs:<\/strong> Moderately moist<\/li>
- Soil:<\/strong> Prefers fertile, loamy soil but tolerates sandy loam as well<\/li>
- Duration:<\/strong> Perennial<\/li>
- Mature height: <\/strong>6-12 feet tall; 6-12 feet wide<\/li><\/ul>
6. Flowering dogwood (cornus florida<\/em>)<\/h2> ![\"close-up](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/rsz_50337594771_e4c574f009_c.jpg\")
Peter Stenzel | Flickr<\/a> | CC BY-ND 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> If you\u2019re a true Tennesseean, you\u2019re probably familiar with the delicate white spring blooms and bright red fall berries of the flowering dogwood<\/a>. This tree works best as an understory tree and thrives in partial shade with moist soil. Mulch around the base to help keep the soil moist.
<\/p> This tree is highly valued by local wildlife. Birds, chipmunks, deer, squirrels, and other animals feast on its red berries. Deer also enjoy the small branches and twigs, while bees and butterflies use the tree for food and for laying eggs.
<\/p>
Pro Tip<\/strong>: Remember to keep the mulch several inches away from the bottom of the tree so the roots can breathe. \u201cMulch volcanoes,\u201d when the roots or trunk are covered with several inches of mulch, are harmful to trees.
<\/p> - Plant type:<\/strong> Small tree<\/li>
- Sun:<\/strong> Full sun, partial shade; prefers partial shade<\/li>
- Water needs:<\/strong> Can handle occasional dryness; prefers moist, acidic, well-drained soil<\/li>
- Soil:<\/strong> Prefers high organic matter content; will tolerate sand, loam, and clay mixes<\/li>
- Duration:<\/strong> Perennial<\/li>
- Mature height:<\/strong> 12-30 feet tall; 8-15 feet wide<\/li><\/ul>
7. Tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera<\/em>)<\/h2> ![\"tri-colored](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_50041047057_6a39d1d8ef_c.jpg\")
Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren | Flickr<\/a> | CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> As the state tree of Tennessee<\/a>, the tulip poplar<\/a> is familiar to most Tennesseeans. You may wonder why such a large native tree is included in a list for home lawns. It grows to over 120 feet in the wild, but for those looking for a smaller landscape tree, there are other cultivars, such as \u201cLittle Volunteer\u201d (30-40 feet), that are more suitable for a smaller landscape.
<\/p> If you\u2019re interested in seasonal color, this tree puts out green and orange tulip-shaped flowers in early summer and turns a bright yellow in the fall. Butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, and birds feast on the flower nectar. After the flowers die, the tree produces brown seed pods that offer local wildlife a tantalizing treat.
<\/p>
- Plant type:<\/strong> Large tree<\/li>
- Sun:<\/strong> Full sun<\/li>
- Water needs:<\/strong> Most or occasionally dry in well-drained soil<\/li>
- Soil:<\/strong> Slightly acidic loam<\/li>
- Duration:<\/strong> Perennial<\/li>
- Mature height:<\/strong> 70-120+ feet high; 35-50 feet wide<\/li><\/ul>
8. Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium<\/em>)<\/h2> ![\"clump](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_30267424171_a9afebd2a8_c.jpg\")
Joshua Mayer | Flickr<\/a> | CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> You\u2019ve got large trees, small trees, shrubs, and flowers. All you\u2019re missing is a bit of ornamental grass to round out the landscape. If this describes you, consider little bluestem<\/a>. This is a low-maintenance grass that has a blue-like cast in the summer months, hence its name. In the fall, it turns an orange-red.
<\/p> This grass is deer-resistant but is prized by local butterflies, who lay their eggs on this grass. Little bluestem, like many other types of grass, looks good when several of them are planted together. Since it has a deep root system, it works well planted on hillsides. This grass works well in hot, humid conditions and is drought-tolerant once established.
<\/p>
- Plant type:<\/strong> Ornamental grass<\/li>
- Sun:<\/strong> Full sun<\/li>
- Water needs:<\/strong> Occasionally dry to moist<\/li>
- Soil:<\/strong> Any type (clay, loam, sand, rocky) but must be well-drained<\/li>
- Duration:<\/strong> Perennial<\/li>
- Mature height: <\/strong>2-4 feet<\/li><\/ul>
Do you want to find out more?<\/h2> - If you\u2019d like more information on native plants in Nashville, check out this brochure and plant list<\/a> for Middle Tennessee\u2019s Central Basin and Highland Rim. You\u2019ll learn more about the benefits of native plants over exotic plants and read about the light, moisture, and soil pH preferences for a variety of Nashville natives.<\/li>
- Tennessee Native Plant Society <\/a><\/li>
- GroWild – A nursery in Fairview, Tennessee, that sells plants native to North America. They can help you find wildflowers, shrubs, trees, vines, and other plants that are native to your area.<\/li><\/ul>
If you prefer expert help choosing and installing native plants, contact one of our Nashville lawn care professionals<\/a>. They\u2019ll help you set up a native landscape that even Patsy Cline would go \u201cCrazy\u201d over.<\/em><\/p> Main Photo Credit: Staudeng\u00e4rtnerei Forssman | Flickr<\/a> | CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Does your Nashville lawn make you want to croon or sing the blues? Well, we have some ideas on how […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":39,"featured_media":3889,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cdn.lawnlove.com\/images\/best+native+plants-Nashville+hero.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"Close-up of a cluster of wild blue phlox flowers","footnotes":""},"categories":[184],"tags":[471],"class_list":["post-3883","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tennessee","tag-lawn-care-nashville-tn"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cdn.lawnlove.com\/images\/best+native+plants-Nashville+hero.jpg?w=1200&fit=1200,900&ssl=1","author_info":{"display_name":"Sarah Bahr","author_link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/author\/sarah-bahr\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3883","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/39"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3883"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3883\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3889"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3883"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3883"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3883"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
Also known as large tickseed, coreopsis<\/a> is native to Middle and Eastern Tennessee. In summer, coreopsis produces bright yellow blooms that resemble daisies. This flower attracts bees and butterflies, and in the colder months, birds enjoy snacking on the seeds that resemble ticks (how it got its nickname). Coreopsis can grow in full sun or partial shade. If you have dry or infertile soil, this is a flower to consider. It can develop crown rot if the soil is too moist or poorly drained. Divide this flower every few years to maintain healthy growth, and deadhead the blooms if you don\u2019t want them to self-seed. If you\u2019re on the lookout for a shade-tolerant flower to complement your landscaping beds, consider wild blue phlox<\/a>. Also called by the common names of woodland phlox or wild sweet William, this spring bloomer produces dainty petals in a variety of colors, including white, lavender, rose, or blue. Wild blue phlox is slow to spread but may develop into a colony over time. This flower is a favorite of pests, namely rabbits, and pollinators, including butterflies and hummingbirds. Ever wanted to start your own poison garden<\/a>? Now\u2019s your chance. According to North Carolina State University<\/a>, cardinal flower<\/a> is moderately poisonous to humans if ingested and is problematic for cats, dogs, and horses<\/a>. Pollinators, such as butterflies and hummingbirds, love it, though. This summer bloomer puts out tall, red flowers that make a stunning focal point for your flower beds. Mulching this flower helps retain moisture in the soil, which is important since cardinal flower only thrives in wet conditions. If you have a rain garden, this is a great plant to include. Here\u2019s another addition to your poison garden: Wild azalea<\/a>. Also known as piedmont azalea, wild azalea is classified as highly poisonous<\/a> to humans and toxic to animals<\/a>, including dogs, cats, and horses. Of course, if you don\u2019t eat it, you\u2019ll be fine, and one study<\/a> seems to conclude that many cases of ingestion produce only mild symptoms. The trumpet-shaped pink and white flowers bloom from March through April and attract some wildlife, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Use mulch to help retain consistent moisture levels and temperature. Wild azalea is susceptible to disease and insect pressure. In some situations, the leaves may scorch if planted in full sun. Prevent root rot by providing well-drained soil, and avoid getting the leaves wet to prevent fungal diseases. Address insect issues with organic or chemical sprays. You also can select disease-resistant cultivars<\/a> to prevent common problems in your area. Spicebush<\/a> is prized for its bright red berries and stunning yellow fall foliage. The berries and yellow leaves peak in the fall. As a bonus, spicebush puts out small, yellow flowers in late winter after it loses its leaves. Spicebush is often planted in full sun in a residential landscape but lives naturally in wet, shady areas in the wild. In a sunnier location, this perennial plant puts on more blooms and grows more densely than it does in a shaded location. If you buy several of these, you\u2019ll have to take your chances and hope you get a male and female plant. Both male and female plants are required to produce berries. If you\u2019re a true Tennesseean, you\u2019re probably familiar with the delicate white spring blooms and bright red fall berries of the flowering dogwood<\/a>. This tree works best as an understory tree and thrives in partial shade with moist soil. Mulch around the base to help keep the soil moist. This tree is highly valued by local wildlife. Birds, chipmunks, deer, squirrels, and other animals feast on its red berries. Deer also enjoy the small branches and twigs, while bees and butterflies use the tree for food and for laying eggs. Pro Tip<\/strong>: Remember to keep the mulch several inches away from the bottom of the tree so the roots can breathe. \u201cMulch volcanoes,\u201d when the roots or trunk are covered with several inches of mulch, are harmful to trees. As the state tree of Tennessee<\/a>, the tulip poplar<\/a> is familiar to most Tennesseeans. You may wonder why such a large native tree is included in a list for home lawns. It grows to over 120 feet in the wild, but for those looking for a smaller landscape tree, there are other cultivars, such as \u201cLittle Volunteer\u201d (30-40 feet), that are more suitable for a smaller landscape. If you\u2019re interested in seasonal color, this tree puts out green and orange tulip-shaped flowers in early summer and turns a bright yellow in the fall. Butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, and birds feast on the flower nectar. After the flowers die, the tree produces brown seed pods that offer local wildlife a tantalizing treat. You\u2019ve got large trees, small trees, shrubs, and flowers. All you\u2019re missing is a bit of ornamental grass to round out the landscape. If this describes you, consider little bluestem<\/a>. This is a low-maintenance grass that has a blue-like cast in the summer months, hence its name. In the fall, it turns an orange-red. This grass is deer-resistant but is prized by local butterflies, who lay their eggs on this grass. Little bluestem, like many other types of grass, looks good when several of them are planted together. Since it has a deep root system, it works well planted on hillsides. This grass works well in hot, humid conditions and is drought-tolerant once established. If you prefer expert help choosing and installing native plants, contact one of our Nashville lawn care professionals<\/a>. They\u2019ll help you set up a native landscape that even Patsy Cline would go \u201cCrazy\u201d over.<\/em><\/p> Main Photo Credit: Staudeng\u00e4rtnerei Forssman | Flickr<\/a> | CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Does your Nashville lawn make you want to croon or sing the blues? Well, we have some ideas on how […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":39,"featured_media":3889,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cdn.lawnlove.com\/images\/best+native+plants-Nashville+hero.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"Close-up of a cluster of wild blue phlox flowers","footnotes":""},"categories":[184],"tags":[471],"class_list":["post-3883","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tennessee","tag-lawn-care-nashville-tn"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cdn.lawnlove.com\/images\/best+native+plants-Nashville+hero.jpg?w=1200&fit=1200,900&ssl=1","author_info":{"display_name":"Sarah Bahr","author_link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/author\/sarah-bahr\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3883","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/39"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3883"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3883\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3889"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3883"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3883"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3883"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
<\/p>
<\/p> 2. Wild blue phlox (phlox divaricata<\/em>)<\/h2>
<\/p>
<\/p> 3. Cardinal flower (lobelia cardinalis<\/em>)<\/h2>
<\/p>
<\/p> 4. Wild azalea (rhododendron canescens<\/em>)<\/h2>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p> 5. Spicebush (lindera benzoin<\/em>)<\/h2>
<\/p>
<\/p> 6. Flowering dogwood (cornus florida<\/em>)<\/h2>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p> 7. Tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera<\/em>)<\/h2>
<\/p>
<\/p> 8. Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium<\/em>)<\/h2>
<\/p>
<\/p> Do you want to find out more?<\/h2>