Spring Planting Guide: What to Plant in March and April in Nashville
Have the early spring garden itch? Here is a spring planting guide of plants you can safely plant early-on in the season in Nashville (USDA zone 7a)!
Alliums, Tulips and Hyacinth
Spring is a beautiful time of year when flowers start to bloom, birds start to chirp, and the sun shines brighter. It's also a great time to get your garden started. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a beginner, there are plenty of plants that you can plant in March and April in Nashville.
Here's a guide to help you get started:
Pansies - These popular cool-season annuals come in a wide range of colors and can withstand light frosts. They are perfect for early spring planting, as they will bloom until the weather gets too hot. Type: Annual, Mature size: 6-10 inches tall, Color: Various, Sun requirements: Full sun to partial shade.
Snapdragons - These lovely annuals produce tall spikes of brightly colored blooms that attract hummingbirds and bees. They can withstand light frosts and will bloom until the heat of summer. Type: Annual, Mature size: 1-3 feet tall, Color: Various, Sun requirements: Full sun to partial shade.
Calendula - Also known as Pot Marigold, Calendula produces bright orange or yellow flowers that add a splash of color to the garden. They are easy to grow and can tolerate light frosts. Type: Annual, Mature size: 1-2 feet tall, Color: Orange or yellow, Sun requirements: Full sun to partial shade.
Dianthus - This perennial plant produces fragrant blooms in a range of colors, from pink and red to white and lavender. They are cold hardy and can withstand light frosts. Type: Perennial, Mature size: 6-12 inches tall, Color: Various, Sun requirements: Full sun to partial shade.
Alyssum - This low-growing annual produces masses of fragrant blooms that attract butterflies and bees. They are easy to grow and can tolerate light frosts. Type: Annual, Mature size: 6-12 inches tall, Color: White or pink, Sun requirements: Full sun to partial shade.
Bachelor's buttons - Also known as cornflowers, these annuals produce beautiful blue, pink, or white blooms that are perfect for cutting. They are cold hardy and can tolerate light frosts. Type: Annual, Mature size: 1-3 feet tall, Color: Blue, pink, or white, Sun requirements: Full sun.
Coral bells - This perennial plant produces beautiful foliage in a range of colors, from green to purple to silver. They also produce small, bell-shaped flowers on tall spikes in the summer. Type: Perennial, Mature size: 1-3 feet tall, Color: Various, Sun requirements: Partial to full shade.
Bleeding heart - This perennial plant produces unique heart-shaped flowers in shades of pink, red, or white. They are cold hardy and can tolerate light frosts. Type: Perennial, Mature size: 1-3 feet tall, Color: Pink, red, or white, Sun requirements: Partial to full shade.
Lungwort - This shade-loving perennial plant produces unique spotted foliage and clusters of pink, blue, or white flowers in the spring. Type: Perennial, Mature size: 6-12 inches tall, Color: Pink, blue, or white, Sun requirements: Partial to full shade.
Peonies - These beautiful perennials produce large, fragrant blooms in shades of pink, red, or white. They are cold hardy and can tolerate light frosts. Type: Perennial, Mature size: 2-4 feet tall, Color: Pink, red, or white, Sun requirements: Full sun to partial shade.
Lilacs - Lilacs are deciduous shrubs that produce clusters of fragrant flowers in shades of white, pink, purple, and blue. They can grow up to 15 feet tall and wide and prefer full sun to partial shade.
Forsythia - Forsythia is a deciduous shrub that produces bright yellow flowers before the leaves emerge. They can grow up to 10 feet tall and wide and prefer full sun to partial shade.
Spirea - Spirea is a deciduous shrub that produces clusters of pink, red, or white flowers. They can grow up to 6 feet tall and wide and prefer full sun to partial shade.
Redbud - Redbud is a deciduous tree that produces clusters of pink or purple flowers before the leaves emerge. They can grow up to 30 feet tall and wide and prefer full sun to partial shade.
Dogwood - Dogwood is a deciduous tree that produces clusters of white, pink, or red flowers before the leaves emerge. They can grow up to 25 feet tall and wide and prefer partial shade to full sun.
Magnolia - Magnolia is a deciduous or evergreen tree or shrub that produces large, fragrant flowers in shades of white, pink, purple, or yellow. They can grow up to 80 feet tall and 40 feet wide and prefer full sun to partial shade.
Tulips - Tulips are spring-blooming bulbs that produce cup-shaped flowers in a wide range of colors, including pink, red, yellow, and purple. They can grow up to 2 feet tall and prefer full sun to partial shade.
Daffodils - Daffodils are spring-blooming bulbs that produce trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of white, yellow, and orange. They can grow up to 2 feet tall and prefer full sun to partial shade.
Hyacinths - Hyacinths are spring-blooming bulbs that produce fragrant, bell-shaped flowers in shades of white, pink, blue, and purple. They can grow up to 12 inches tall and prefer full sun to partial shade.
Crocuses - Crocuses are spring-blooming bulbs that produce cup-shaped flowers in shades of purple, white, yellow, and orange. They can grow up to 6 inches tall and prefer full sun to partial shade.
Alliums - Alliums are easy to grow and come in a range of sizes and colors. They add a unique element to the garden with their globe-shaped flowers that bloom in late spring and early summer. Mature size varies depending on the variety but can range from 12 inches to 4 feet. They prefer full sun to part shade and well-draining soil.
Fritillarias - Fritillarias are a unique addition to any garden with their bell-shaped flowers that bloom in shades of purple, pink, and yellow. They grow to a mature size of around 18 inches tall and prefer full sun to part shade and well-draining soil.
Muscari - Muscari, also known as grape hyacinths, are a popular spring bulb that produce clusters of fragrant, bell-shaped flowers in shades of blue, purple, and white. They grow to a mature size of around 6 inches tall and prefer full sun to part shade and well-draining soil.
Bearded Iris - Bearded iris is a popular perennial that produces large, colorful blooms in late spring and early summer. They come in a wide range of colors and mature sizes depending on the variety. They prefer full sun and well-draining soil.
Daylilies - Daylilies are a popular and easy-to-grow perennial that produce large, trumpet-shaped blooms in a variety of colors. They grow to a mature size of around 18-24 inches tall and prefer full sun to part shade and well-draining soil.
Coneflowers - Coneflowers are a popular perennial that produce large, daisy-like blooms in shades of pink, purple, and white. They grow to a mature size of around 2-4 feet tall and prefer full sun and well-draining soil.
Black-eyed Susans - Black-eyed Susans are a popular native perennial that produce bright yellow, daisy-like blooms with dark centers. They grow to a mature size of around 2-3 feet tall and prefer full sun and well-draining soil.
Coreopsis - Coreopsis is an easy-to-grow perennial that produces small, bright yellow or pink blooms in late spring and early summer. They grow to a mature size of around 1-2 feet tall and prefer full sun and well-draining soil.
Salvia - Salvia is a popular perennial that produces spiky blooms in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white. They grow to a mature size of around 1-3 feet tall and prefer full sun and well-draining soil.
Catmint - Catmint is a popular perennial that produces clusters of blue or lavender flowers in late spring and early summer. They grow to a mature size of around 1-2 feet tall and prefer full sun and well-draining soil.