Tennessee Climate Snapshot
Understanding your local climate is key to creating a thriving, low-maintenance garden
Hardiness Zones
6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a
Annual Rainfall
45-60 inches annually
Frost Window
April-October (varies by elevation)
Water Notes
Abundant rainfall; occasional summer dry spells
Popular Landscaping Styles
Discover design styles perfectly suited to Tennessee's unique climate and landscape
Classic southern style with magnolias and azaleas
Key Features:
- ā¢Southern magnolias
- ā¢Azaleas and dogwoods
- ā¢Crepe myrtles
- ā¢Boxwood hedges
Smoky Mountain-inspired naturalistic planting
Key Features:
- ā¢Native rhododendrons
- ā¢Trilliums and bloodroot
- ā¢Mountain laurel
- ā¢Woodland ferns
Native plants supporting butterflies and bees
Key Features:
- ā¢Coneflowers and bee balm
- ā¢Milkweed for monarchs
- ā¢Native salvias
- ā¢Wildflower meadow areas
Contemporary take on traditional southern gardens
Key Features:
- ā¢Ornamental grasses
- ā¢Native shrubs
- ā¢Clean-lined hardscaping
- ā¢Drought-tolerant perennials
Recommended Plant Palettes
Native and adapted plants that thrive in Tennessee's climate
Tennessee Coneflower
Echinacea tennesseensis
Endangered native with pink-purple blooms
Flowering Dogwood
Cornus florida
State tree with white spring blooms
Passionflower
Passiflora incarnata
State flower with intricate blooms; butterfly host
Cinnamon Fern
Osmundastrum cinnamomeum
Large native fern for shade and moisture
Azalea
Rhododendron spp.
Spring blooming shrub in many colors
Hydrangea
Hydrangea macrophylla
Large flower heads in blue or pink
Crepe Myrtle
Lagerstroemia indica
Summer blooming tree with peeling bark
Hosta
Hosta spp.
Shade-loving foliage plant
Bee Balm
Monarda didyma
Red tubular flowers attract hummingbirds
Butterfly Weed
Asclepias tuberosa
Orange flowers; essential for monarch butterflies
Black-Eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta
Golden yellow daisies; easy reseeder
Joe-Pye Weed
Eutrochium purpureum
Tall native with pink-purple flowers
Seasonal Garden Checklist
Your year-round guide to maintaining a beautiful Tennessee garden
Plant spring bulbs and cool-season vegetables
Mulch beds and protect tender plants
Prune dormant trees and plan spring garden
Plant peas and start seeds indoors
Plant warm-season vegetables and annuals
Mulch, water, and deadhead regularly
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to common questions about landscaping in Tennessee
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