Plant Nurseries & Garden Centers in Tennessee
Explore 290 local plant nurseries across 39 cities.
Top Rated Farms in TN
Boyd & Boyd Nursery
Wholesale and Retail Nursery. Top products: Shade trees, Evergreens, Deciduous shrubs, Ornamental shrubs. Boyd & Boyd Nursery, LLC is a Tennessee-based nursery established in 1988, owned and managed by fifth-generation nurseryman Tommy Boyd. The business functions as both a wholesale and retail horticultural provider, serving a diverse client base that includes residential homeowners and professional landscapers in the Middle Tennessee region. Their core operations focus on the production and sale of high-quality woody plants, specifically specializing in a wide variety of shade trees, evergreens, and both deciduous and ornamental shrubs. By maintaining year-round operations, the nursery provides a consistent supply of nursery stock suitable for regional landscape design and environmental planting. The business emphasizes its long-standing horticultural lineage and commitment to quality, positioning itself as a reliable source for nursery-grown trees and shrubs that have been cultivated to thrive in the local climate. Their operations prioritize traditional nursery production methods, ensuring a professional standard of plant health and vitality for all offered stock.
DAS Farms
Retail Ornamental and Fruit Nursery. Top products: Fruit and Nut Trees, Evergreens, Flowering Shrubs, Perennials, Ornamental Trees. DAS Farms is a family-operated nursery with a history dating back to 1989, specializing in the direct-to-consumer sale of horticultural nursery stock. The business offers a comprehensive catalog of landscape plants, including evergreens for hedging and privacy, flowering shrubs, shade trees, and a variety of fruit and nut trees designed for home orchards. Operating as both an e-commerce platform and a grower, the company emphasizes climate-appropriate gardening by providing tools for customers to select plants based on their specific USDA hardiness zones. Their inventory caters to homeowners and landscaping enthusiasts looking for healthy, nursery-grown stock for ornamental, edible, and structural landscape improvements. The business focuses on logistical support for plant health during shipping, ensuring that trees and shrubs arrive ready for transplanting. Core offerings include classic landscape staples such as hydrangeas, boxwoods, and a wide array of deciduous and evergreen specimens. By integrating educational resources on planting and climate suitability, DAS Farms positions itself as a specialized supplier for backyard development and residential landscape design.
Gigi's Lavender Farm & Nursery
Specialty Lavender Nursery. Top products: Lavender plants, Lavender bouquets, Wholesale lavender starts, Custom nursery plants. Gigi's Lavender Farm & Nursery, located in Joelton, Tennessee, is a state-licensed lavender nursery specializing in the propagation and sale of lavender plants optimized for the Southern U.S. climate. Owned by founder Gigi de Lugo, the business serves as a primary horticultural resource for the region, having supplied over 15,000 plants to emerging lavender farmers. Beyond plant production, the farm operates as a hub for the Tennessee Lavender Exchange (TLx), offering professional consultations, research and development (R&D) on production methods, and educational resources for horticultural development. The nursery focuses on custom-grown lavender inventory, catering to both wholesale commercial farmers and retail customers. Operations emphasize high-quality plant starts and specialized cultivation techniques designed to overcome the regional challenges of growing lavender in the South. The farm maintains strict operational hours by appointment, prioritizing educational engagement and agricultural support over traditional agritourism.
Varnell Nursery
Full-service ornamental plant nursery. Top products: large caliper trees, flowering shrubs, perennials, annuals, bulk mulch and compost. Varnell Nursery, located in McDonald, TN, is a long-standing horticultural enterprise with a history dating back to 1901. Operating for over 116 years, the nursery functions as a retail destination for homeowners and local landscape projects. Their inventory encompasses a broad range of plant material, including large caliper trees, a variety of flowering shrubs (such as holly and barberry), perennial plants, and seasonal annuals. Beyond their plant offerings, Varnell Nursery provides supplemental landscaping supplies, including bulk mulch, compost, and specialty soil products like 'black gold,' available for customer pickup or delivery. The business distinguishes itself through personalized service, offering complimentary landscaping layout advice to customers who provide property photos. They cater to those seeking privacy screening solutions as well as aesthetic garden improvements, maintaining a professional retail center focused on plant health and horticultural expertise.
Giaroli's Nursery & Landscaping
Retail nursery and landscaping. Top products: Sod, Trees and shrubs, Concrete statuary, Mulch, sand, and topsoil, Seasoned firewood. Established in 1984, Giaroli's Nursery & Landscaping is a family-owned and operated horticultural business based in Memphis, Tennessee. Serving both residential and commercial clients throughout the Mid-South region, including Bartlett, Germantown, and North Mississippi, the company operates as a dual-purpose nursery and landscaping provider. Their core horticultural offerings include an extensive selection of trees, shrubs, and high-quality sod, supplemented by a variety of hardscape materials such as concrete statuary, rocks, stones, gravel, and topsoil. Beyond the retail supply of plants and materials, Giaroli's provides professional landscape services and tree planting expertise. With over four decades of experience, the company emphasizes quality and affordability, maintaining a licensed and insured operation to support local property beautification. They also offer logistical support through the delivery of bulk landscaping materials and provide seasonal products like firewood.
Valley Growers
Retail Garden Center Nursery. Top products: ornamental shrubs, flowering perennials, vegetable starts, herb plants, trees. Valley Growers is a well-established garden center and nursery based in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, with a legacy spanning over 27 years. The business functions as both a grower and a retail supplier, offering a diverse inventory that includes trees, shrubs, seasonal flowers, ornamental plants, and a selection of edible herbs and vegetable starts. Catering primarily to local homeowners and gardening enthusiasts, Valley Growers emphasizes expert horticultural guidance and high-quality plant stock. Their operation is designed to serve the community by providing not only the plant material necessary for residential landscape development but also the foundational gardening supplies required for maintenance. By maintaining a focus on locally adapted plant varieties, the nursery supports the gardening needs of the Middle Tennessee region. Their service model prioritizes knowledgeable customer support, ensuring that visitors receive professional advice on plant selection and care to foster successful garden growth.
Harney's Nursery
Wholesale Ornamental Plant Nursery. Top products: container grown plants, balled and burlap trees, ornamental nursery stock. Harney's Nursery is a well-established horticultural operation based in Smithville, Tennessee, with over 50 years of experience in the industry. As a Tennessee Department of Agriculture certified nursery, the business focuses on maintaining high standards of plant health, ensuring all nursery stock is free from insect pests and diseases. The nursery functions as a wholesale-only supplier, catering specifically to professional clients including landscapers, independent garden centers, and other horticultural tradespeople. Their inventory includes a diverse range of container-grown plants and balled-and-burlap specimens, offering high-quality botanical material for commercial and residential landscaping projects. Committed to providing value to the trade, Harney's Nursery combines decades of expertise with a streamlined supply model to meet the consistent demands of the professional landscaping market in the region.
Strawberry Hill Landscape Nursery
Creekside Bonsai
Specialty Bonsai Tree Nursery. Top products: Tropical bonsai trees, Deciduous bonsai trees, Conifer bonsai trees, Pre-bonsai nursery stock, Ceramic bonsai pots, Bonsai soil and substrates, Bonsai training wires and tools. Creekside Bonsai is a specialized horticultural nursery based in Nashville, Tennessee, dedicated to the art and cultivation of bonsai trees. The business provides a comprehensive selection of specimens, including tropical, deciduous, and conifer varieties, catering to both novice enthusiasts and experienced collectors. In addition to finished bonsai trees, the nursery offers a wide range of pre-bonsai stock in training pots, allowing customers to engage in the styling and refinement process themselves. Beyond plant material, Creekside Bonsai functions as a horticultural supply hub, stocking essential items such as hand-crafted ceramic pots, specialized soil components, drainage screens, and training wire. The owner-operated facility emphasizes education and hands-on engagement, frequently hosting workshops and classes to support the bonsai community. Located at the Garden Stop, the nursery serves as a retail destination for hobbyists seeking high-quality trees and professional-grade maintenance supplies.
Wilsons Outdoor Center
Retail Garden Center Nursery. Top products: Ornamental plants, Outdoor landscaping materials, Garden decor, Outdoor furnishings. Wilsons Outdoor Center, located in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, operates as a comprehensive outdoor living and garden center facility. The business functions as a multifaceted provider of horticultural and hardscaping solutions, catering primarily to homeowners seeking to enhance their outdoor residential spaces. Their core horticultural offering includes a retail garden center stocked with a variety of plants designed for regional landscaping needs. Beyond plant sales, the company distinguishes itself through a broad spectrum of integrated services, including landscape design and installation, irrigation, site grading, excavation, and the construction of outdoor hardscapes such as pools, outdoor kitchens, and fencing. By combining traditional nursery stock with heavy-duty construction and landscaping site work, Wilsons Outdoor Center serves as a one-stop destination for property owners looking to renovate their exteriors. Their mission centers on providing quality materials and professional services to elevate residential outdoor lifestyles.
The Micro Garden Sevierville
Tropical and ornamental plant nursery. Top products: Tropical plants, Lucky bamboo, Air plants, Hanging baskets, Marimo moss balls. The Micro Garden Sevierville is a retail horticultural business specializing in a diverse range of ornamental and indoor plant varieties. The nursery focuses on providing tropical houseplants, air plants, lucky bamboo, and curated botanical displays. Operating out of multiple locations including a flea market outlet and a storefront in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, the business serves local plant enthusiasts and homeowners. Their operations are characterized by a commitment to consumer education and accessibility, frequently hosting seasonal sales events to clear inventory. They offer a mix of individual specimen plants in pots and specialized, pre-assembled botanical arrangements. The business maintains a direct-to-consumer sales model, utilizing digital storefronts such as Whatnot alongside their physical retail locations to manage and distribute their current inventory. Their mission centers on creating an engaging and knowledgeable plant shopping experience for the local community.
Southeast Landscape Supply
Lawns Unlimited Garden Center
Pine Creek Nursery LLC
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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.
