With Chattanooga families sheltering in place, gardening is a great activity to enjoy the great outdoors without leaving your home. For those new to the hobby, there are many plants that thrive in our corner of Tennessee. Choosing plants that thrive locally will increase your chances of having a successful garden.
Our agents suggest the following eight plants that are perfect for the Chattanooga area:
1. Purple Coneflower
Purple coneflowers are daisy-shaped flowers that are often purple, pink, or white, although they can come in other colors as well. Their blooms can be as large as six feet across, and the plant's stalks can grow to five feet tall, usually staying upright without staking. Plus, this plant is sure to attract birds and butterflies to your Chattanooga garden.
2. Star of Toscane
This perennial vine is a more cold-tolerant version of climbing or spreading star jasmine. It has glossy green leaves and fragrant white blooms with gold centers. If you need a mixed border or ground cover, Star of Toscane will perform well in these areas. It also looks beautiful supported in an arbor, fence, or trellis.
3. Daylilies
Daylilies are available in a wide variety of colors, including deep purple and orange. Their large flowers start to bloom in midsummer and continue into early fall, and you'll have new day lily blossoms every day. These plants are quite hardy and will tolerate almost any type of soil. You can plant them in a sunny or shady area.
4. Bee Balm
If you're looking for an addition to your Chattanooga flower bed, bee balm is a popular choice. It has fragrant blooms in pink, red, white, or purple and attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. Plant bee balm in the spring or fall, spacing them about 18 to 24 inches apart in well-draining soil.
5. Coreopsis
Also known by the name tickseed, coreopsis works well for a flower border or a filler. It's low maintenance and can tolerate drought, with flowers that can include yellow, orange, pink, and red. You can plant coreopsis from early spring until fall, with most varieties starting to bloom in early summer.
6. Dianthus
Varieties of dianthus include sweet William, pinks, and carnations, and they fit in well in many types of gardens. Most work well for the front of a border, and the taller varieties are good for cutting. Dianthus is drought-resistant and has an interesting, beautiful flower with a notched petal. Most have pink, red, or white flowers. These plants grow well in full sun and well-drained soil. They do well when planted about 6 to 12 inches apart in the spring or fall.
7. Russian Sage
Russian sage has silvery foliage that's fragrant to go along with its spiky clusters of purple flowers. The plant blooms from late spring until autumn, becoming so abundant that its leaves are barely visible. It works well as a ground cover and prefers dry conditions. These plants thrive in well-drained soil that receives full sun. Plants should be set out about 2 to 3 feet apart in early spring, and when it gets dry, they'll need occasional watering until they're established.
8. Salvia
Salvia is also known as meadow sage, with long-lasting spikes that come in purple, red, and pink. There's a variety that's suitable for almost any garden since they're very durable. Most types of salvia like well-draining soil and grow better if they're trimmed back a few times a year. They also do very well in dry conditions.
Contact us if you're interested in
Chattanooga homes for sale or in selling your home in the area. We can advise you on sprucing up your yard to make it buyer-ready.