Seasonal Interest with Native Plants in Middle Tennessee

Aug 12

One of the most rewarding parts of gardening with native plants is how they work with the seasons to create a landscape that’s interesting year-round—not just when they’re in bloom.

By choosing plants that offer beauty, texture, movement, structure, and ecological value through spring, summer, fall, and winter, you can build a garden that stays engaging for both people and wildlife.

Spring: Waking up the Garden

Focus on early bloomers and plants that provide essential resources for emerging pollinators.

Top Tree picks:

Redbud (Cercis canadensis) – One of the most striking early bloomers in Middle Tennessee, with pink blossoms that light up the landscape.
Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.) — This tree features white blooms in early spring and edible berries in summer.

Understory/Groundcover Layer:

Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum) – Delicate pink flowers and attractive foliage add a soft, layered look.
Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea): Provides bright yellow flowers that attract early pollinators.
Eastern Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) — Known for its unique, red and yellow flowers.
Blue Woodland Phlox (Phlox divaricata): Offers fragrant blue flowers that attract butterflies.
Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia): Provides white, foam-like blooms that contrast beautifully with Columbine.

Summer: Vibrant Colors and Serious Pollinator Action

Summer gardens should be full of color, movement, and nectar for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea): Soft purple flowers contrast with spiky cone-shaped centers. Attracts a range of pollinators. Seed heads provide structural interest and food for the birds into fall and winter.
Bee Balm (Monarda fistuliosa): Offers red or pink blooms that are loved by bees and hummingbirds. Interesting seed heads once the flowers have faded.
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) — Bright yellow flowers with dark centers, great for attracting bees and butterflies.
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) — Vibrant orange flowers that are crucial for Monarch butterflies.
Little Blue Stem (Schizachyrium scoparium): Many varieties have attractive blue hues through summer, turning red with tufted seed heads in autumn.

**Fall: Jewel Tones and Food for Wildlife**
Fall is a time for rich, warm colors and seeds that feed wildlife preparing for winter.
**Aromatic Aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium)** — Provides vibrant purple flowers in late summer to fall, sometimes as late as November or December depending on the year.
**Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)**: Offers bright yellow blooms that contrast beautifully with Asters.
**Bluestar (Amsonia Hubrichtii):** A golden cloud of delicate foliage that perfectly compliments domes of purple asters.
**American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)** — Known for its striking purple berries in fall.

Winter: A Time for Structure and Interest

Winter gardens should provide structure and interest, offering shelter and food sources for wildlife. Choose plants with appealing bark, berries, or evergreen foliage.

Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) — An evergreen with aromatic foliage and blue berries.
Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata) — Provides vibrant red berries that stand out against winter’s backdrop.
Witch Hazel (Hamamelis vernalis) — Known for its unique yellow flowers that bloom in winter.
Red Twig Dogwood (Cornus sericea) — Adds striking red stems and winter interest.