Nashville, TN is the heart of country music and has much to offer. Los Angeles’s Mediterranean climate is characterised by hot summers and mild, damp winters, providing the perfect environment for diverse plants. Whether you are an experienced gardener or a first-timer hoping to spruce up your property, choosing the right plants for your Nashville Garden is the first and vital step toward growing something successful long term. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best plants to include in your Nashville landscape, with selections for every garden style, ranging from low-maintenance plants to gorgeous flowers that thrive in the Middle Tennessee climate.

Daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.)

Daylilies rank among Nashville’s most popular and dependable perennials. Renowned for their bright, trumpet-formed flowers, daylilies are available in nearly every shade, from vivid yellows and oranges to pinks and reds. These resilient plants do well in Nashville’s steamy summers and handle various soil types.

Why Choose Daylilies? 

Daylilies are extremely low maintenance. Once established, they need little water and can withstand Nashville’s high-low temperature ranges. And they’re available in a long blooming period, frequently late spring through early summer; plus, they attract pollinators, like bees and butterflies.

Planting Tip

Although daylilies like full sun, they can survive in partial shade. Plant them in well-drained soil and space them 18-24 inches apart for spreading.

Par tree — Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

Native to the Midwest and parts of Tennessee, purple coneflowers are a popular addition to Nashville gardens. Plant some of these plants if you want your house surrounded by beauty and texture. Purple coneflowers are hardy and well-adapted to Nashville’s climate, flourishing in full sun and well-drained soil.

Why Choose Purple Coneflower?

Once settled in, Purple coneflowers are drought-resistant, making them ideal for Nashville’s hot, dry stretches. They also resist deer and other pests, a boon for gardeners. Their long-lasting flowers attract bees, making them a staple for wildlife gardeners.

Planting Tip

These can be planted in poor soil and full sun. They can reach heights of up to 3 feet, so they should be kept away from other plants they might overshadow.

Best Plants for Nashville

Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia).

Creeping Jenny is an excellent ground cover plant growing well in Nashville. Its variegated yellow-green leaves, laid against other rich colors, complement each other beautifully. This perennial does very well in both sun and shade. It is ideal for bringing color and texture to the borders of garden beds or in containers to trail over the edges.

Why Choose Creeping Jenny?

A great choice in areas where you need a ground cover that can deal with erosion. It’s low-maintenance and quickly spreads to form a lush, green carpet that conceals weeds.

Planting Tip

Creeping Jenny likes well-drained, moist soil. Although it can grow in full sun to partial shade, it might require additional water, especially in Nashville’s hot summers.

Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)

Foliage Japanese can be a beautiful tree in your landscape in Nashville. These trees boast beautiful, delicate leaves in various shades, from deep crimson to green. Their compact nature makes them a good choice for small gardens or larger spaces.

Why Choose Japanese Maple?

Japanese maples are an excellent way to provide that focal point in a garden. They do best in your yard’s shaded areas and are especially beautiful in the fall when their leaves take on a bright red or gold color. These trees require little maintenance, although they may need protection from the scorching afternoon sun in the hottest months.

Planting Tip

Japanese maples thrive in well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Especially in hot Tennessee summers, they do best in the shelter of afternoon shade and can sometimes find full sun problematic.

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

Black-eyed Susans are another perennially popular plant in Nashville’s climate. Their flowers have yellow petals and brown nuggets, perfect for a sunny and cheerful garden. They are ideal for borders, wildflower gardens, or naturalized areas, where they self-seed and return year after year.

Why Choose Black-eyed Susan?

This heat-tolerant perennial drought-tolerant perennial is ideal for Nashville’s sweltering summer weeks. It’s also relatively pest resistant and draws pollinators such as bees and butterflies. If you are looking for a colorful yellow flower that blooms from midsummer to early fall, look no further than black-eyed Susans.

Planting Directions

Once established, these plants are full sun-lovers and don’t mind what soil type they enter. However, well-drained dirt will provide the best results. To promote new blooms, simply deadhead any spent flowers.

Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)

Southern magnolias are perfect trees that thrive in Nashville. They can be large, with glossy, big leaves and fragrant white flowers, making them a stunning and valuable addition to landscaping. To appreciate their beauty, they are especially suited to large yards or as specimen trees.

Why Choose Southern Magnolia?

Southern magnolias are heat-tolerant and like Nashville’s hot summers. The vibrant, showy blooms in late spring and early summer are beloved for their sweet fragrance. The glossy evergreen leaves add interest all year.

Planting Tip

Southern magnolias like full sun and well-drained soil. Ensure they’re positioned where they have room to expand as they can grow to heights of 60-80 feet.

Azaleas (Rhododendron spp.)

Azaleas are timeless in Nashville gardens. Their spring blooms range from gentle pastels to hot pinks and reds. These shrubs prefer the temperate climate of Middle Tennessee so that they will do well in extensive gardens and smaller spaces.

Why Choose Azaleas? 

These flowering shrubs are magical but can also be less than glamorous. They can be planted as foundation plants, massed for impact or in containers. Their early spring flowers draw pollinators and thrive in the region’s acidic soils.

Planting Advice

Azaleas like partial shade, especially afternoon shade, and well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Keep them watered and well hydrated during the hotter months, as dry conditions will stress the plants.

Hostas (Hosta spp.)

Hostas are also an excellent option for shady areas in your Nashville garden. Their lush, ornamental foliage , in various green, blue, and yellow hues, can add texture and depth to any garden. With so many types, there’s a hosta for almost every garden style.

Why Choose Hostas?

Ideal for shady spots in your yard, hostas love cool spaces underneath trees or along dark pathways. They are relatively low-maintenance and can thrive in various soil types, provided they stay moist.

Planting Tip

Hostas thrive in rich, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. They need watering daily, particularly in the hot summer, to keep their green leaves intact.

Indian Grass

Suitable for prairie or natural-style gardens, Indian Grass is a native ornamental grass. Reaching 5 feet tall, this stunning golden-hued grass will lend texture and motion to your landscape. It flourishes in the warm sunny conditions common in Nashville’s summers.

Why Choose Indian Grass?

Indian Grass, for example, is very drought-tolerant and will withstand even Nashville’s dry spells. Its golden seed heads contribute visual interest throughout fall and winter, offering beauty long past the end of the growing season.

Planting Tip

Indian Grass grows best in full sun and well-drained sandy or loamy soil. It requires little maintenance, but cutting it back in early spring will help keep its look.

Witch Hazel (Hamamelis spp.)

Try witch hazel, an unusual and colorful shrub for your landscape. Witch hazel (Hamamelis spp.)Known for its bright yellow to red flowers, witch hazel blooms late winter or early spring, making it stand out from other garden plants. It’s especially noticeable early in the spring, when few plants are in flower.

Why Choose Witch Hazel?

Witch hazel’s unusual flowers help it stand out in Nashville gardens. This small tree or shrub provides year-round interest, including striking fall foliage and fragrant blooms that attract pollinators.

Planting Tip

Witch hazel prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil, and does best in partial shade. It tolerates about conditions but should be watered regularly during dry spells.

Plant	Type	Why Choose	Planting Tip
Daylilies	Perennial	Low-maintenance	Full sun, well-drained soil
Purple Coneflower	Perennial	Drought-tolerant	Full sun, poor soil
Creeping Jenny	Ground Cover	Erosion control	Moist, partial shade
Japanese Maple	Tree	Elegant, shaded	Afternoon shade, well-drained
Black-eyed Susan	Perennial	Pollinator-friendly	Full sun, well-drained soil
Southern Magnolia	Tree	Fragrant blooms	Full sun, space to grow
Azaleas	Shrub	Vibrant blooms	Partial shade, acidic soil
Hostas	Perennial	Shaded beauty	Moist, rich soil
Indian Grass	Ornamental Grass	Drought-tolerant	Full sun, sandy soil
Witch Hazel	Shrub/Tree	Winter blooms	Partial shade, acidic soil

Conclusion

Nashville’s range of microclimates makes the growing season ideal for gardeners who want beautiful, functional, and low-maintenance plants. Whether you want colorful perennials, impressive trees, or native grasses, Nashville’s temperate climate and varied soil types create a welcoming environment for many plant species.

When choosing plants for your garden, consider the amount of sun, type of soil, and water requirements. Carefully choosing your plants can help ensure a flourishing garden that adds beauty to your property and attracts pollinators and other wildlife.

We specialize in the best plants for a Nashville landscape with value-added advice at Opportunity Landscapes and Nursery. Whether you’ve got a cozy garden or a sprawling estate, we can help you pick the best plants to meet your needs.