You love local food, music, business, and art — so why not choose local plants while you map out your garden this season, too?
We checked in with Cheekwood Plant Collections Manager Sage McClain, who shared which native plants will be low maintenance for you and a gift for Nashville’s wildlife.
Ideal planting times are in the spring and fall, with rainfall amounts minimizing a plant’s stress levels. Higher soil temperatures in the spring encourage healthy root growth while gardening in the fall allows a plant to establish its roots before entering dormancy in the winter.
American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)
This shrub’s branches show off magenta berry clusters in the fall, and by winter, they serve as a food resource for birds. It can be cut to 12" above the base in the winter to support its growth.
Water needs: Moist
Light needs: Part shade
Bloom time: May-July
Pawpaw (Asimina triloba)
The understory tree produces the largest edible fruit native to the US. Though edible, it’s important to note that the fruit can cause skin irritation and an upset stomach for some people.
Water needs: Moist
Light needs: Sun, part shade, shade
Bloom time: April-May
Obedient plant (Physostegia virginiana)
An individual flower can be moved back and forth to shift it into a certain position, a characteristic that contributes to this plant’s name. It can spread easily, but its shallow roots can be easily pulled.
Water needs: Moist
Light needs: Sun, part shade, shade
Bloom time: August-November
Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica)
Despite its name, this plant’s buds are pink. The flower sports a pinkish cast before it turns blue.
Water needs: Moist
Light needs: Part shade, shade
Bloom time: March-June
Dense blazing star (Liatris spicata)
Tall and slender grass-like stems give way to clustered purple flower heads. Their feather-like appearance is what prompted the plant’s alternate name, the dense gayfeather.
Water needs: Moist
Light needs: Sun
Bloom time: July-September
