21 Best Flowering Perennials for Tennessee Gardens
A curated selection of hardy blooms to brighten every season in home landscapes.
Crafting a vibrant perennial garden in Tennessee is within everyone’s reach thanks to the state’s temperate climate and favorable USDA Hardiness Zones 6 and 7. Whether you live in Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, or anywhere in between, planting perennials ensures year-after-year color with minimal effort. This comprehensive guide showcases 21 of the best flowering perennials for Tennessee landscapes—each selected for their resilience, beauty, pollinator appeal, and suitability to local conditions.
Understanding Tennessee Gardening Zones
Most of Tennessee lies within USDA Hardiness Zones 6 and 7. This means winters are cool with occasional sub-freezing temperatures, while summers can be humid and hot. When selecting perennials, always check their hardiness zone range to ensure they will thrive in your area. Plants on this list typically flourish in Tennessee’s climate, providing dependable color and interest between spring and autumn.
Top 21 Flowering Perennials for Tennessee Gardens
Below are the standout perennials for Tennessee—including details on color, bloom time, mature size, sun needs, and special notes to help you choose the best varieties for your space.
1. Gaura ‘So White’
| Botanical Name | Gaura ‘So White’ |
| Plant Type | Herbaceous Perennial |
| Zones | 5–9 |
| Height | 1–1.5 ft |
| Sun | Full Sun |
| Bloom Time | Late Spring to Early Fall |
Gaura ‘So White’ yields delicate white blossoms resembling butterflies fluttering on slender stems. It is tolerant of Tennessee’s summer heat and grows best in well-drained soil. Once established, it is drought tolerant but appreciates occasional deep watering.
2. Tennessee Coneflower
| Botanical Name | Echinacea tennesseensis |
| Plant Type | Herbaceous Perennial |
| Zones | 3–8 |
| Height | 2–4 ft |
| Sun | Full Sun to Part Shade |
| Bloom Time | Summer |
This endangered Tennessee native stands out with pink-purple petals and a prominent central cone. Native coneflowers thrive in average soil, attract pollinators, and are drought resistant once established.
3. Black-Eyed Susan
| Botanical Name | Rudbeckia hirta |
| Height | 2–3 ft |
| Zones | 3–9 |
| Sun | Full Sun |
| Bloom Time | Summer to Early Fall |
This classic wildflower features bold yellow petals with a dark brown center. Black-eyed Susan is easy to grow, tolerates poor soils, and brings in bees, butterflies, and goldfinches after blooming.
4. Purple Coneflower
| Botanical Name | Echinacea purpurea |
| Height | 2–5 ft |
| Zones | 3–9 |
| Sun | Full Sun to Part Shade |
| Bloom Time | Summer to Fall |
Purple coneflower is a robust, pollinator-friendly staple for Tennessee gardens. Its daisy-like purple blooms persist for weeks and pair beautifully with ornamental grasses.
5. Coreopsis
| Botanical Name | Coreopsis lanceolata |
| Height | 1–2 ft |
| Zones | 4–9 |
| Sun | Full Sun |
| Bloom Time | May–July |
Commonly called tickseed, Coreopsis explodes with bright yellow flowers. It’s drought-tolerant and low maintenance, with new cultivars offering a range of flower forms and long blooming periods.
6. Daylily
| Botanical Name | Hemerocallis spp. |
| Height | 1–4 ft |
| Zones | 3–9 |
| Sun | Full Sun to Part Shade |
| Bloom Time | Early Summer |
Glorious daylilies offer an array of colors, needing little care once established. Each flower lasts only one day, but mature clumps produce dozens or even hundreds of blooms.
7. Bearded Iris
| Botanical Name | Iris germanica |
| Height | 2–3 ft |
| Zones | 3–9 |
| Sun | Full Sun |
| Bloom Time | Spring to Early Summer |
Bearded irises are a staple for Tennessee gardens. Their dramatic flowers come in countless color combinations and the sturdy foliage remains attractive year-round.
8. Bee Balm
| Botanical Name | Monarda didyma |
| Height | 2–4 ft |
| Zones | 4–9 |
| Sun | Full Sun to Part Shade |
| Bloom Time | Summer |
Also known as wild bergamot, bee balm adds vivid color as well as wildlife—its aromatic flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
9. Blazing Star
| Botanical Name | Liatris spicata |
| Height | 2–4 ft |
| Zones | 3–8 |
| Sun | Full Sun |
| Bloom Time | Summer |
Vertical spikes of magenta or purple distinguish Blazing Star. It flourishes in poor soils and brings a vertical element to perennial borders.
10. Butterfly Weed
| Botanical Name | Asclepias tuberosa |
| Height | 1–2 ft |
| Zones | 3–9 |
| Sun | Full Sun |
| Bloom Time | Summer |
Butterfly weed’s bright orange blooms provide essential food for monarch butterflies and other pollinators, and it is extremely tolerant of poor, dry soils.
11. Columbine
| Botanical Name | Aquilegia canadensis |
| Height | 1–3 ft |
| Zones | 3–8 |
| Sun | Part Shade |
| Bloom Time | Spring |
With delicate, nodding flowers in reds and yellows, Columbine thrives in shady or woodland gardens and self-seeds easily.
12. Garden Phlox
| Botanical Name | Phlox paniculata |
| Height | 2–4 ft |
| Zones | 4–8 |
| Sun | Full Sun to Part Shade |
| Bloom Time | Summer |
Garden phlox produces abundant, fragrant flower clusters in pink, white, lavender, or red, and attracts butterflies throughout the summer.
13. Peony
| Botanical Name | Paeonia spp. |
| Height | 2–4 ft |
| Zones | 3–8 |
| Sun | Full Sun |
| Bloom Time | Late Spring |
Known for their luxurious, often fragrant blooms, peonies make excellent long-lived backbone plants for any garden, thriving with little intervention once established.
14. Catmint
| Botanical Name | Nepeta spp. |
| Height | 1–2 ft |
| Zones | 4–8 |
| Sun | Full Sun |
| Bloom Time | Late Spring to Fall |
This fragrant perennial produces waves of soft lavender-blue flowers, attracting bees and being deer-resistant. Catmint is heat- and drought-tolerant once established.
15. Shasta Daisy
| Botanical Name | Leucanthemum × superbum |
| Height | 2–3 ft |
| Zones | 5–9 |
| Sun | Full Sun |
| Bloom Time | Early Summer to Fall |
Classic daisies with white petals and sunny yellow centers, Shasta daisies create cheerful displays and perform best in well-drained soil and full sun.
16. Salvia
| Botanical Name | Salvia nemorosa |
| Height | 1–2.5 ft |
| Zones | 4–8 |
| Sun | Full Sun |
| Bloom Time | Late Spring to Fall |
Spike-shaped flowers in purple or blue hues appear on salvia, a favorite for pollinators and hummingbirds. Salvia is heat tolerant and durable once established.
17. Sedum (Stonecrop)
| Botanical Name | Sedum spectabile or Sedum rupestre |
| Height | 0.5–2 ft |
| Zones | 3–10 |
| Sun | Full Sun to Part Shade |
| Bloom Time | Late Summer to Fall |
Sedum’s fleshy leaves store water, making it ideal for dry spots. Pink-tinted flower heads attract butterflies and stand out late in the season.
18. Blanket Flower
| Botanical Name | Gaillardia x grandiflora |
| Height | 1–2 ft |
| Zones | 3–10 |
| Sun | Full Sun |
| Bloom Time | Summer to Fall |
Blanket flowers light up gardens with fiery red, orange, and yellow blooms. They are highly tolerant to heat and drought and bloom from summer into fall.
19. Yarrow
| Botanical Name | Achillea millefolium |
| Height | 1–3 ft |
| Zones | 3–9 |
| Sun | Full Sun |
| Bloom Time | Summer |
Feathery foliage and clusters of flat-topped flowers make yarrow both ornamental and useful for pollinator habitats. It’s extremely drought-tolerant.
20. Hellebore
| Botanical Name | Helleborus orientalis |
| Height | 1–2 ft |
| Zones | 4–9 |
| Sun | Part Shade |
| Bloom Time | Late Winter to Early Spring |
Also called Lenten rose, hellebores bloom when little else does. Their nodding flowers brighten up shady borders from winter to spring.
21. Coral Bells
| Botanical Name | Heuchera spp. |
| Height | 0.75–2 ft |
| Zones | 4–9 |
| Sun | Part Shade to Full Shade |
| Bloom Time | Late Spring to Early Summer |
Coral bells have stunning foliage in shades of green, purple, and silver, making them an excellent ground cover for shaded beds. Their bell-shaped flowers attract hummingbirds.
General Care and Design Suggestions
- Use native and adapted plants for easier maintenance and to support local wildlife.
- Mix bloom times and colors for season-long interest and continuous pollinator support.
- Prioritize drainage and site selection—many perennials dislike wet feet in Tennessee’s clay-rich soils.
- Incorporate mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds, especially during hot summers.
- Divide clumps every few years to rejuvenate older plantings and fill new areas.
Attracting Pollinators and Wildlife
Many of the perennials listed above are valued for their pollinator appeal. Planting a variety of flower shapes and colors supports bees, butterflies, and even hummingbirds. Consider letting seed heads remain in autumn for birds or providing water sources for visiting wildlife.
Sample Perennial Garden Plan for Tennessee
- Background: Bearded Iris, Daylilies, Purple Coneflower
- Mid-layer: Garden Phlox, Salvia, Blazing Star
- Front layer: Coreopsis, Catmint, Coral Bells
- Focal points: Peony, Blanket Flower, Black-eyed Susan
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: When is the best time to plant perennials in Tennessee?
A: The ideal times are early spring or fall. Both seasons allow roots to establish before the stress of summer heat or winter cold.
Q: Do I need to fertilize my perennials regularly?
A: Most Tennessee soils provide sufficient nutrients; supplement only if soil tests indicate deficiencies. Too much fertilizer can reduce bloom or encourage weak growth.
Q: How do I care for perennials during Tennessee’s drought periods?
A: Mulch your beds, water deeply but infrequently, and choose drought-tolerant selections from this list. Once established, most perennials are resilient to brief dry spells.
Q: Which perennials are deer resistant?
A: Try Catmint, Peony, Salvia, and Coreopsis. While no plant is deer-proof, these varieties are seldom browsed by deer.
Q: How long do most perennials live?
A: Many live 3–5 years, but peonies, iris, and coneflowers can last decades when divided occasionally and cared for properly.
Conclusion
With thoughtful selection and care, Tennessee gardens can feature spectacular floral displays from early spring through fall. By choosing perennials with proven resilience in Zones 6 and 7, you ensure your outdoor spaces remain colorful, wildlife-friendly, and low maintenance year after year. Use this guide as a foundation to design or revamp your own thriving perennial paradise in the Volunteer State.
References
- https://plantsciences.tennessee.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2021/11/Plants-for-Tennessee-landscapes_Perennials-UT-Publication-W874-B.pdf
- https://www.epicgardening.com/tennessee-perennials/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9U9UDS4i-l8
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoNgLKc2c5o
- https://www.pinterest.com/pin/222787512810755074/
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