Middle Tennessee ’s 39 counties flow into U.S. Hardiness Zone 6B , with a minimal average temperature of minus 5 degrees F. Middle Tennessee ’s gardens face subfreezing temperatures and hot , dry summers . The top is a long period between the final spring and first autumn frost . Nashville , for example , seldom sees hoar after mid - April or before mid - October . Carefully chosen plants and shrubs provide up to six months of garden enjoyment .
Indigo Bush
Indigo bush ( Amorpha fruticosa ) is a chop-chop growing perennial reaching between 6 and 10 feet in high spirits and up to 15 feet all-encompassing . Belonging to the pea family , this airy shrub produces leaves and blossom along the upper one - third of its branches . The blue or empurpled heyday , with contrasting orangish anthers , appear in 3 - to-6 - inch spikes between April and June . Blooming indigo Dubyuh is a outstanding backdrop for blossom bound bulbs . Its delicate gray - unripened leave become yellow in fall .
establish these shrubs in moist , acidulent sandlike or loamy soil and full sun to part shade . They fly high along streams and in water gardens . Both bees and butterfly stroke get together their nectar . Indigo scrub self - sow in readily . Remove vernal plants to prevent them from becoming encroaching .
Oakleaf Hydrangea
During June and July , oakleaf hydreangea ( Hydrangea quercifolia ) shrubs put on a show along the river banks and in the dampish Wood of Middle Tennessee . name for their oak - like deep green leaves , these 3 - to-12 foundation mound plants have two-dimensional , loose unorthodox clusters of white flowers rising above pale green buds . The blossom become rose - purpleness as they age , remaining on the plants through the winter . They are breathtaking against the hydrangea ’s brilliant burgundy - red surrender foliation .
Plant oakleaf hydrangea , harmonise to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center , in shade and moist , well - run out pH - neutral grease . plant life overspread easily via their root word system . Cutting new canes will control the banquet . Shape the shrubs by pruning them the right way after they flower .
Virgin’s Bower
speedily climbing virgin ’s bower ( Clematis virginiana ) vine can grow as much as 20 infantry in a single season . A perennial , virgin ’s bower bears abundant clusters of midget fragrant lily-white flowers between July and September . Its mystifying gullible leaf make the peak appear even brighter . Both butterfly and hummingbirds feed on the nectar .
Female flowers acquire achene , seeds with feathery tails like blowball source , during late summertime , providing even more garden interest . call for livelihood , this vine will cohere to other plants unless you condition it to a treillage , fencing or espalier . Plant it in full sun or shade . It performs good in moist rich soil . Prune the vine in early spring to promote bushiness .
All piece of Virgin ’s arbour are toxic . Handle it with gloves to avoid short - lived hide redness and stinging . Do not ingest it .
