In challenging times, it can be a blessing to focus on making our home environment more beautiful. Gorgeous spring and summer flowers are a perfect way to bring a splash of color and a dash of joy to our lives. As spring moves forward with bright, beautiful days in Middle Tennessee, we’re all thinking about our favorite flowering annuals. But what should we choose and when should we plant? Here are a few guidelines as you consider plant selection and timing.

Choosing Heat-Loving Annuals in Nashville

We’re fortunate to be smack in the middle of the USDA’s bountiful Zone 7, which means we can usually count on a warm spring and a long, hot summer. In other words, a perfect growing environment for everything, from vegetables to flowers. In late April and May, Nashville turns to spring and summer annuals–those lovely flowers that bring us joy for a season and then fade away as cool weather returns. These are usually eye-catchers known for color and exotic looks.

What Kinds of Annuals Should I Plant in Nashville?

Annuals are plants that complete their full life cycle in one season. These are the flowers we’re replanting every year for beautification. May and June are terrific windows to plant spring and summer annuals in the Nashville area. Here’s a general timetable for your flowering annuals:

April

There’s still a chance of frost in April, so keep that in mind. But that doesn’t mean you need to sit on your hands

  • Plant favorite summer flowering bulbs like canna lilies and dahlias.
  • Get the season rolling by planting hardy annuals like nasturtium and sweet pea, which don’t mind a frost.
  • Remember, April is a great time to catch up on mulching and pruning while we wait for temperatures to rise.

May

In Zone 7, our last potential frost window is usually the first week in May. As the old adage goes, after Mother’s Day, you’re generally safe to put even delicate plants into the ground.

  • Plant vibrant warm-weather annuals like petunias, marigolds, and heliotrope.
  • Consider planting lush tropical vines like mandevilla and bougainvillea. They’re easy to care for and look perfect on patios.
  • Start those shade-loving plants like impatiens and begonias.

June

Keep brightening things up with heat-loving annuals like salvia, zinnia, and portulaca. Also, June or July isn’t too early to plant mums for fall color.

What About Planting Perennials in Nashville?

Perennials are plants that live for more than two years. They die back during the winter but come back the following spring. Most perennials get a boost from overwintering, so planting later in summer or fall often works best for successful perennials the next spring. But there are some perennial beauties you can plant as early as May or June. Some of our late-spring favorites include dahlias, coneflowers, and daylilies. Later in the summer, you can plant iris bulbs so they’ll pop up next spring. Some other Nashville favorites to plant later in the summer for spring blooms include salvia, perennial geraniums, and luscious peonies and hibiscus.

Your Flowering Annuals: Why It Pays to Hire a Pro

Gorgeous new flowers are one of the best things about the spring and summer growing season. They bring joy and a sense of peace and calm in a crazy world. But there are so many choices, and planting timelines can be confusing. Attempting to DIY your spring annuals can lead to a haphazard, muddled look. Here are some reasons calling in a professional team for your flower beds is well worth the cost:

  • We know what to plant: our team understands what flowering annuals thrive in our environment and which plants pair well together.
  • We know where to plant:  we have a clear understanding of which plants love the sun and which prefer shade, so every corner of your yard gets just the right thing.
  • We know when to plant: thanks to years of experience and training, we know precisely when to put annuals in the ground to help you get the most out of your seasonal flowers.

At Acer Landscape Service, our decades of serving the Nashville area have helped us to become intimately familiar with the climate and growing conditions of our region. We’ll help you choose and plant the perfect selection of annuals (and perennials) for your best-ever warm-weather landscape. And, once planted, we also offer services to keep your beds looking beautiful and weed-free. Let’s make those appointments now to get you ready for a bright, beautiful summer.