Plant Nurseries & Garden Centers in Tennessee
Explore 290 local plant nurseries across 39 cities.
Top Rated Farms in TN
Gregory's Greenhouse Productions, LLC
Commercial Horticultural and Nursery Producer. Top products: Ornamental trees, Seasonal flowers, Herbs, Vegetables, Tropical plants. Gregory's Greenhouse Productions, LLC, established in 1991, is a specialized horticultural operation based in East Tennessee. Originally founded as a dogwood tree grower, the business has expanded its expertise into custom contract growing, commercial plantscaping, and landscape design. They cater primarily to commercial sites and apartment complexes, providing specialized plant selection suited to the local climate. Their operations include the production of seasonal flora, ranging from spring tropicals to winter pansies, as well as herbs and vegetables. In addition to their production capabilities, they provide comprehensive landscape design, installation, and ongoing maintenance services, including specialized water maintenance contracts for interior and exterior plant displays within a 20-mile radius of Knoxville. Their mission focuses on creating sustainable, vibrant, and visually elegant environments through tailored botanical solutions.
Love Farms & Nursery
Wholesale Nursery and Farm. Top products: nursery stock, ornamental plants, trees, shrubs. Love Farms & Nursery is a family-owned and operated horticultural business based in McMinnville, Tennessee. Established in 1979 by the Love family, the operation is currently managed by Bobby and Wilson Love. The business functions as a traditional nursery, specializing in the production and cultivation of nursery stock, including a variety of trees and ornamental shrubs. Situated on a multi-purpose agricultural property that also maintains a herd of over 100 cattle, the nursery leverages the regional Tennessee landscape to grow its plant inventory. As a long-standing fixture in the McMinnville agricultural community, the nursery primarily serves commercial clients, landscapers, and wholesale buyers looking for field-grown plant material. Their operations focus on sustainable cultivation practices consistent with regional nursery standards, ensuring high-quality stock for residential and commercial landscaping projects throughout the area.
Natchez Tree Company
Wholesale shade tree nursery. Top products: large-caliper shade trees, evergreen trees, fabric container trees. Natchez Tree Company, established in 2018 and based near Memphis, Tennessee, is a wholesale nursery specializing in the production of high-quality, field-grown, and fabric-containerized trees. The company focuses on supplying the landscape industry, including landscape contractors, municipalities, and garden centers, with large-caliper shade trees and evergreens tailored for the challenging climatic conditions of the Southeastern United States and Texas. By utilizing advanced fabric container technology, the nursery provides trees with enhanced root systems that offer superior survival rates and transplant flexibility compared to traditional methods. All products meet or exceed Florida Grade 1 and American Nursery Stock Standards. In addition to their primary production, they operate the 'Natchez Trading Post,' which leverages a vetted network of partner farms to meet broader project sourcing needs. The business also provides contract growing services, allowing for large-scale, long-term project planning for landscape architects and developers.
Oak Hill Farm
Roadside Station Garden and Gift
Rusty Mangrum Nursery
Wholesale Tree and Seedling Nursery. Top products: Bare root fruit trees, Shade and ornamental trees, Tree seedlings, Plug tray liners, Container grown plants. Rusty Mangrum Nursery is a specialized wholesale nursery based in middle Tennessee, established in 1987. The operation has evolved from propagating small batches of rooted cuttings in sand beds to producing hundreds of thousands of plants annually. Their core horticultural focus centers on the production of bare root fruit trees, shade trees, and various seedlings. In recent years, the nursery has expanded its product catalog to include plug tray liners and container-grown plants to meet increasing demand. The business serves a diverse clientele, ranging from wholesale nurseries and retail garden centers to individual homeowners seeking high-quality nursery stock. Their growing operations prioritize plant health and development to provide competitive stock for commercial and residential landscaping projects. The nursery maintains a consistent commitment to agricultural quality, scaling its production capabilities while maintaining the traditional values of a family-owned, regionally focused horticultural enterprise.
The Forbidden Garden
Trivett's Nursery
Wholesale ornamental tree nursery. Top products: Maples, Magnolias, Arborvitae, Zelkova, Ornamental shrubs. Trivett's Nursery, LLC is a family-owned and operated wholesale nursery located in McMinnville, Tennessee. Established in 1985 by Lloyd Trivett, the operation has expanded from a hobbyist venture into a sprawling 250-acre production facility. The nursery specializes in the cultivation of a diverse range of hardy trees and shrubs designed to meet the aesthetic and functional requirements of professional landscape designs. Their inventory includes a wide variety of plant species, ranging from Maples and Magnolias to Arborvitae and Zelkova. The business operates exclusively on a wholesale basis, catering primarily to landscaping professionals and industry clients who require high-quality, healthy plant material for large-scale projects. With four decades of horticultural experience, the nursery maintains a focus on providing reliable nursery stock, leveraging their significant acreage to supply a vast catalog of ornamental greenery.
TTrivett's Nursery
Wholesale ornamental tree nursery. Top products: Maples, Magnolias, Arborvitae, Zelkova, Ornamental shrubs. Trivett's Nursery, LLC is a long-standing family-owned horticultural operation based in McMinnville, Tennessee. Established in 1985 by Lloyd Trivett, the business has evolved from a hobbyist project into a substantial 250-acre nursery facility. Operating exclusively as a wholesale supplier, the nursery focuses on the cultivation of healthy, hardy nursery stock intended for landscaping professionals and commercial clients. Their catalog features a diverse range of ornamental trees and shrubs, including varieties such as Maples, Magnolias, Arborvitae, and Zelkova. The nursery prides itself on over 40 years of agricultural experience, utilizing extensive acreage to support production capacity. They serve as a primary source for landscapers looking to stock high-quality plant material for residential and commercial landscape projects. The business maintains a professional-focused operational model, offering a comprehensive wholesale plant list and catalog to support their regional customer base.
CCommercial Nursery
Wholesale Ornamental Plant Nursery. Top products: Trees, Shrubs, Perennials, Ornamental plants. Commercial Nursery Co., located in Decherd, Tennessee, is a well-established wholesale horticultural operation specializing in the large-scale production of landscape-grade plant material. With a focus on serving the professional landscaping, nursery, and re-wholesale markets, the company produces a diverse inventory of trees, shrubs, and perennials tailored to the needs of commercial and residential development projects. Their operations involve professional cultivation methods designed to ensure plant health, structural integrity, and aesthetic quality for regional climate adaptation. By maintaining a catalog-based wholesale business model, they provide a reliable supply chain for landscape architects, contractors, and retail garden centers. The nursery functions as a foundational supplier within the horticultural industry, emphasizing consistent inventory availability and logistical support for large-scale landscaping installations across their service area.
Dogwood Valley Greenhouse
Perennial and Seasonal Greenhouse. Top products: Perennials, Hanging baskets, Culinary herbs, Seasonal planters, Cut flowers. Dogwood Valley Greenhouse, based in Hillsboro, Tennessee, is a specialized horticultural operation focused on the cultivation and retail sale of a wide range of plant varieties. Their inventory is seasonally categorized, featuring sun and shade-loving perennials, culinary and decorative herbs, and specialized hanging baskets and seasonal planters. The greenhouse emphasizes growing plants suitable for the local climate, ensuring availability from early spring through fall. The business serves local homeowners and gardeners through a hybrid sales model, offering direct-to-consumer retail sales by appointment at their greenhouse location, alongside distribution through multiple regional 'Locally Grown' online markets in Middle Tennessee. By focusing on a rotating selection of flowering and foliage plants, they provide specialized horticultural support for porch, patio, and garden landscapes. Their operations prioritize controlled greenhouse propagation to ensure plant health, particularly during transitional seasonal periods.
Hidden Hollow Nursery
Wholesale woody ornamental nursery. Top products: Grafted woody ornamentals, Bareroot liners, Cercis cultivars, Cornus varieties, Hamamelis species. Hidden Hollow Nursery is a family-owned wholesale nursery situated on the Cumberland Plateau, specializing in the propagation of high-quality grafted liners. The business focuses on the technical cultivation of difficult-to-propagate woody ornamentals, leveraging the region's specific soil conditions and climate to produce robust, hardened-off plant material. Their catalog features over 70 cultivars, including extensive varieties of Cercis, Cornus, Hamamelis, Liquidambar, Liriodendron, and Nyssa. Operating primarily as a supplier to the horticultural trade, the nursery offers custom growing services and maintains a shipping schedule that runs from February through March, with options for UPS, motor freight, or direct customer pickup. The nursery emphasizes a personalized approach to business, prioritizing strong client relationships and the rapid introduction of promising new plant cultivars to the commercial market.
The GreenHouse Project Nash
Tropical Houseplant and Aroid Nursery. Top products: Anthurium Ace Of Spades, Philodendron Silver Sword, Monstera Albo. The GreenHouse Project Nash is a plant nursery based in Nashville, Tennessee, specializing in the retail of tropical houseplants and exotic aroids. Their inventory focuses on high-demand, collectible plant species such as variegated Monstera, Philodendron, and Anthurium varieties. The business operates as a specialized grower and retailer, catering primarily to indoor plant enthusiasts, hobbyists, and urban gardeners looking for unique, greenhouse-grown specimens. They emphasize a customer-centric approach, offering shipping services with specific handling protocols to ensure plant safety during transit. In addition to their digital storefront, they maintain an active community presence through local meetups and events, fostering engagement with their customer base. The nursery manages its own logistics and shipping fulfillment, providing a satisfaction guarantee for their botanical products. Their business model combines an e-commerce platform with a physical local presence, prioritizing the care and aesthetic quality of ornamental tropical plants.
Centertown Nursery
Wholesale Shrub and Tree Nursery. Top products: Bare root shrubs, Ball and burlap trees, Container-grown plants. Centertown Nursery is a wholesale horticultural operation based in Middle Tennessee, specializing in the production and distribution of high-quality trees and shrubs. The nursery utilizes diverse cultivation methods, including bare root production, ball and burlap field-grown specimens, and containerized stock. Their core mission focuses on supplying robust plant material tailored to local plant hardiness zones, providing professional guidance to ensure successful landscaping outcomes. Catering primarily to wholesale clients, the nursery serves landscapers, garden centers, and commercial horticultural projects. Their operations are centered on regional expertise, providing specific plant recommendations based on Tennessee environmental conditions to ensure plant longevity and health. By maintaining a professional catalog of hardy, nursery-grown stock, Centertown Nursery functions as a critical supply link for local horticultural infrastructure, prioritizing plant vigor and established root systems suitable for regional planting applications.
DIRT DAWG NURSERY
Conifer and Rare Shrub Nursery. Top products: Unusual conifers, Variegated trees, Columnar shrubs, Dwarf plant varieties, Contorted plant specimens, Professional grade gardening tools. Dirt Dawg Nursery is a specialized horticultural operation located in Watertown, TN, focused on the cultivation and sale of rare, unusual, and high-quality plant specimens. With over 30 years of gardening experience, the nursery emphasizes deep horticultural knowledge, growing a significant portion of their inventory on-site to ensure optimal plant health and performance. Their primary product catalog centers on unique conifers, including variegated, columnar, dwarf, and contorted varieties, alongside a selection of rare trees and shrubs. Beyond live plant sales, the nursery offers a curated selection of gardening tools that have been field-tested in their own nursery and personal garden environments to ensure durability and utility for both professional landscapers and residential gardeners. The business positions itself as a resource for plant collectors and garden enthusiasts looking for exceptional, 'out of the ordinary' botanical specimens.
Ervin and Son Nursery
Wholesale ornamental tree nursery. Top products: Dogwood trees, Boxwoods, Redbud trees, Balled and burlapped nursery stock. Established in 1954, Ervin and Son Nursery is a third-generation, family-owned horticultural operation based in Cookeville, Tennessee. The nursery specializes in the field production and brokering of high-quality, large-caliper ornamental trees and shrubs. Their primary inventory focuses on Dogwood varieties—specifically grafted for black fungus resistance—alongside a diverse selection of Boxwoods and Redbud trees. The business operates primarily on a wholesale model, supplying balled and burlapped stock by the truckload to landscaping professionals and horticultural industry clients. Committed to traditional growing methods, they emphasize quality control and professional trade engagement, evidenced by their regular participation in the Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show (MANTS). They offer a range of sizes, with Dogwoods typically starting at two inches in caliber, catering to large-scale planting projects and commercial inventory needs.
Grounded Roots
Houseplant Retail and Education. Top products: Houseplants, Potted plants, Plant care supplies, Design consultation services. Grounded Roots is a retail business specializing in the curation and sale of high-quality houseplants. Their operations center on providing locally sourced plants designed for indoor environments, with a secondary focus on community engagement and ecological stewardship. A core component of their business model is their commitment to reforestation; for every houseplant sold, the company facilitates the planting of a tree, linking their retail activity to broader environmental restoration goals. Beyond the sale of botanical goods, Grounded Roots acts as a horticultural educational hub by hosting public workshops focused on plant care, propagation, seeding techniques, and interior botanical design. They also offer professional event rental and design services, catering to interior projects, photoshoots, and special events. Their target demographic includes indoor plant enthusiasts, homeowners, and those seeking professional plant design services. By combining retail inventory with educational resources and design consultations, Grounded Roots serves as a multifaceted provider for urban plant care and interior greenery.
LooXo Plantscapes
Interior Landscape and Greenhouse. Top products: Tropical foliage plants, Exotic foliage plants, African Violets, Custom botanical installations. LooXo Plantscapes, based in East Nashville, is a specialized horticultural firm and greenhouse operator that integrates living plants into commercial and residential environments. Drawing on a rich history as an extension of Optimara—the world's largest grower of African Violets—LooXo operates an in-house greenhouse complex dedicated to cultivating and rehabilitating plants. Their business model centers on biophilic design, offering end-to-end services that include custom plant selection, installation, and long-term maintenance. They cater primarily to high-traffic commercial clients, such as hotels and restaurants, as well as luxury residential spaces, emphasizing technical horticultural expertise over mere aesthetic decor. By maintaining plants within their own facilities, they provide proactive health monitoring, plant rehabilitation, and seasonal rotations to ensure the longevity of their botanical assets. Their operation is defined by the intersection of botanical science and architectural design, aiming to improve indoor environmental quality and guest experiences through meticulously managed, resilient living plantscapes.
Mid Tenn Tree & Shrub
Tree and Shrub Nursery. Top products: Trees up to 2.5 inch caliber, Shrubs, Soil amendments, Fertilizer, Mulch. Mid Tenn Tree & Shrub is a specialized horticultural business based in Tennessee, serving regions across Tennessee, Kentucky, and Northern Alabama. With over three decades of professional experience, the company operates as a dual-service provider, acting as both a plant supplier and a specialized installer. Their core business model focuses on the retail sale and delivery of ornamental trees and shrubs, providing residential and commercial clients with specimen trees up to 2.5 inches in caliber. Unlike general landscaping firms that focus primarily on lawn maintenance or mowing, Mid Tenn Tree & Shrub centers its operations on the procurement, delivery, and expert installation of woody perennials. Their service suite includes comprehensive site assessments, soil analysis, and professional planting techniques ranging from hand-planting to machine-assisted installation. They also provide ongoing plant health care, including soil amendments, fertilization, and mulching, ensuring the long-term vitality of their nursery stock.
Shady Rest Nursery
Bare root tree nursery. Top products: Bare root shade trees, Ornamental flowering trees, Bald Cypress, Sugar Maple, Redbud. Shady Rest Nursery is a specialized horticultural operation focused on the production and sale of bare root deciduous and ornamental trees. Founded in 2000 by Mike Shirley, the nursery has expanded from an initial 7 acres to a 130-acre facility over the past 25 years. The company specializes in the cultivation of a diverse range of tree species, including shade trees such as Bald Cypress, Sugar Maple, Sweet Gum, and Zelkova, as well as ornamental varieties like Cherry, Crabapple, Magnolia, Kousa Dogwood, and multiple Redbud cultivars. The business operates primarily as a wholesale supplier, catering to professional landscape needs, nurseries, and other horticultural clients requiring high-quality bare root stock. By focusing on field-grown production, the nursery ensures the development of robust root systems for their diverse inventory. Their mission centers on long-term growth and the consistent supply of quality woody plants for large-scale planting projects.
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The Nursery & Garden Center Market in Tennessee
Tennessee currently supports a network of 251 verified nurseries, reflecting a robust horticultural sector fueled by both local demand and favorable growing conditions. The market displays a clear geographic distribution, with a heavy concentration in middle Tennessee. Garden centers across the state range from massive retail operations to specialized boutique plant shops, catering to a diverse clientele of residential gardeners and commercial landscape architects. The density of these businesses correlates strongly with population growth and urban sprawl in the state's primary economic corridors. As land values shift in metropolitan areas like Nashville and Murfreesboro, the business model for these garden centers has transitioned from purely production-based farming to high-end retail and design services.
Top Cities for Nurseries & Garden Centers
Data indicates that nursery hubs are primarily centered around urban growth. Nashville leads the state with 26 identified locations, followed closely by Murfreesboro with 23, and Tullahoma with 20. Cookeville and Knoxville round out the top tier with 18 locations each. This clustering effect is no coincidence. Higher-density cities provide a consistent customer base, better logistics for shipping nursery stock, and access to a professional labor pool skilled in horticulture. In cities like Chattanooga, with 14 documented sites, or Memphis, also with 14, businesses often integrate into the community as destinations for native plant education. The presence of establishments like Stanley’s Greenhouse or The Barn Nursery exemplifies the shift toward high-service, high-quality stock that characterizes these top-tier hubs.
Tennessee Climate & Plant Selection
Success in Tennessee gardening requires navigating a complex intersection of USDA hardiness zones and soil conditions. Most of the state falls within zones 6b to 8a. This temperature variance dictates the inventory available at local garden centers. Nurseries must stock a mix of cold-hardy perennials for the northern regions and heat-tolerant cultivars for the southern areas. The state’s soil composition, often characterized by heavy red clay, remains a major challenge. Consequently, nurseries prioritize the sale of soil amendments, compost, and raised bed supplies alongside traditional stock. Rainfall in Tennessee is relatively abundant but unevenly distributed; spring and fall wet periods often lead to root rot issues, forcing garden centers to prioritize well-draining species and drought-tolerant native plants. The transition to native plant dominance—such as Echinacea, Rudbeckia, and various oak species—is a response to the state’s humid subtropical climate. Nurseries have pivoted away from water-intensive ornamental species to focus on stock that can withstand the extreme temperature swings and high summer humidity that define the Tennessee landscape.
Sourcing Plants Locally in TN
- Evaluate Nursery Inventory: Check if a garden center focuses on field-grown trees or greenhouse-grown annuals. Field-grown stock often acclimates better to local soil conditions.
- Prioritize Native Plant Expertise: Businesses like Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center emphasize native biology. Source stock from providers who prioritize species native to the Cumberland Plateau or the Ridge and Valley provinces.
- Check Rating and History: High-performing operations like JVI Secret Gardens or Bates Nursery and Garden Center have established reputations based on plant viability and customer service longevity.
- Assess Logistics: If you are a commercial landscaper, look for nurseries with established wholesale capacity near the Nashville or Knoxville corridors to minimize plant stress during transit.
- Seasonal Shopping: Visit nurseries during the early spring or late autumn months. This is when stock is fresh and the inventory reflects the current planting window for the state’s specific USDA zones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When is the best time to plant in Tennessee?
A: In Tennessee, the optimal planting windows are typically mid-spring, once the threat of the final frost has passed, and mid-autumn. Fall planting is particularly beneficial for trees and shrubs, as it allows root systems to establish in cooling soil temperatures before the onset of the next summer's heat and humidity. Always monitor local soil moisture levels during these transitions to ensure successful establishment.
Q: Why is planting native species recommended in Tennessee?
A: Native plants, such as purple coneflower or oak species, are genetically adapted to Tennessee's specific soil chemistry and climate cycles. They require fewer fertilizers and significantly less supplemental water than non-native cultivars. By choosing native species, you are actively supporting local pollinators and reducing the maintenance burden often associated with exotic plants that struggle in the state's heavy clay soils.
Q: How do I handle Tennessee's heavy clay soil?
A: Most Tennessee garden centers strongly recommend incorporating organic matter, such as compost or aged pine bark, into your soil before planting. This improves drainage and aeration, which is critical for preventing root rot during the state's wet spring seasons. For specific projects, consider building raised beds to bypass heavy native clay entirely, allowing for a custom-blended, well-draining soil medium for your perennials and vegetables.
Q: What is the primary difference between zone 6b and 8a in Tennessee?
A: The primary difference is the average annual extreme minimum temperature. Zone 6b, found in higher elevations like the Cumberland Plateau, experiences colder winters, often dipping down to -5 degrees Fahrenheit. Zone 8a, found further south or in protected urban pockets, rarely reaches those extremes. Nurseries categorize their inventory accordingly, ensuring that frost-sensitive tropicals are not marketed to growers in the colder mountainous regions of the state.
Q: Should I buy greenhouse-grown or field-grown plants?
A: Field-grown plants are often more resilient and acclimated to local environmental fluctuations, making them ideal for long-term landscapes. Greenhouse-grown plants offer higher aesthetic consistency and are excellent for immediate seasonal impact. For permanent landscape fixtures like trees, field-grown stock generally exhibits better root structure. However, always inspect the root ball for signs of circling or container constriction before purchasing any plant material from a nursery.
