With fragrant white blooms and glossy green leaves, newer hardy varieties can thrive in Zone 7.

The Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides) is the South’s most intoxicatingly fragrant flowering shrub, and its creamy white blooms set against deep, glossy evergreen leaves make it one of the most beautiful as well. For years, Tennessee gardeners in Zone 7 were told gardenias were too tender to grow reliably — but a new generation of cold-hardy varieties has changed everything. With the right selection and a sheltered planting spot, gardenias can now be a stunning and fragrant part of your Tennessee landscape.

Best Hardy Varieties for Zone 7

• Kleim’s Hardy: The most cold-tolerant gardenia widely available, hardy to Zone 6b. Smaller single pinwheel-style flowers with an incredibly strong fragrance. Compact and tidy at 3–4 ft. Blooms in late spring and often reblooms in fall.
• Chuck Hayes: A well-tested hardy variety that tolerates temperatures down to -10°F in some reports, making it one of the most reliable gardenias for Zone 7 Tennessee. Semi-double white flowers with classic gardenia fragrance. Reblooms in fall. 3–5 ft tall.
• Frostproof: An upright, vigorous variety with large, classic double white blooms and exceptional cold hardiness for a gardenia. Grows 4–6 ft tall. Blooms in late spring. One of the most popular hardy gardenias in the Southeast.

Product Details

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 6b–11 (hardy varieties); suited for Zone 7 Tennessee
• Mature Height: 3–6 ft depending on variety
• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade; morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal in Tennessee summers
• Soil: Moist, well-drained, acidic soil (pH 5.0–6.0); enrich with compost and pine bark at planting
• Watering: Keep consistently moist; do not allow to dry out and avoid overwatering; sensitive to both extremes
• Bloom Season: Late spring (May–June); many hardy varieties rebloom in fall
• Fragrance: Exceptional — among the most powerfully fragrant flowering shrubs available
• Planting Tip: Choose a sheltered location with wind protection and good air circulation; avoid low-lying frost pockets
• Pruning: Prune lightly right after the main spring bloom period; avoid heavy pruning
• Fertilizing: Use an acid-forming azalea/camellia fertilizer in spring and again in midsummer; yellowing leaves often indicate iron deficiency — treat with chelated iron

Choose from flowering or evergreen varieties — either way, they add interest and structure to your landscape.

Viburnum (Viburnum spp.) is one of the most underappreciated and underused shrub genera in the Tennessee landscape — and one of the most rewarding. With over 150 species ranging from compact 3-foot mounds to large 12-foot specimens, flowering and evergreen types, native and exotic varieties, Viburnum offers something for nearly every landscape need. Spring flowers, summer berries, brilliant fall color, and winter structure make many viburnums true four-season plants.

Popular Varieties for Tennessee

• Doublefile Viburnum (V. plicatum f. tomentosum): Stunning horizontal branching draped in flat, white lacecap flowers in spring. One of the most architecturally beautiful shrubs available. Fall berries ripen from red to black and attract birds. 8–10 ft tall and wide.
• Burkwood Viburnum (V. x burkwoodii): Semi-evergreen with intensely fragrant, white snowball flowers in early spring. One of the most fragrant shrubs you can grow. 8–10 ft tall. Hardy in Zones 4–8.
• Leatherleaf Viburnum (V. rhytidophyllum): Bold, evergreen foliage with large, deeply textured dark green leaves. Provides year-round structure and screening. White spring flowers followed by red-to-black fall berries. 10–15 ft tall. Hardy in Zones 5–8.
• Arrowwood Viburnum (V. dentatum): A Tennessee native with white flowers in spring, blue-black berries in fall, and outstanding fall foliage color. Extremely adaptable and pest-free. 6–10 ft. Hardy in Zones 2–9.

Product Details

• USDA Hardiness Zones: Varies by species; most suitable varieties Zones 4–9
• Mature Height: 3–15 ft depending on variety
• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade; most varieties perform well in both
• Soil: Moist, well-drained soil of average fertility; adaptable to clay and loam
• Watering: Water regularly during establishment; moderately drought-tolerant once mature
• Bloom Season: Spring (March–May depending on variety)
• Fruiting Season: Summer through fall; berries attract birds and wildlife
• Pruning: Prune right after flowering; minimal pruning needed to maintain natural form
• Wildlife Value: Excellent — berries are a critical food source for migratory and resident birds
• Fertilizing: Light application of balanced fertilizer in early spring

Certain varieties thrive in our climate, offering their legendary fragrance in late spring.

Few flowers carry the emotional power of a Lilac (Syringa spp.) in full bloom. The sweet, heady fragrance that drifts from those iconic purple, pink, and white flower clusters in late spring is one of the great sensory experiences of the garden year. While traditional common lilacs struggle in the Southern heat and humidity, a new generation of heat-tolerant varieties has made it possible for Tennessee gardeners to finally grow and enjoy this legendary shrub with great success.

Best Varieties for Tennessee

• Bloomerang Purple (S. x ‘Penda’): The breakthrough lilac for the South. Bloomerang reblooms in late summer and fall after its main spring flush — something traditional lilacs never do. Compact and tidy at 4–5 ft. Fragrant purple flowers. Requires only 800 chill hours. Hardy in Zones 3–9.
• Miss Kim (S. patula): A dwarf, late-blooming Manchurian lilac that handles heat and humidity better than the common lilac. Fragrant pale lavender-purple flowers arrive in May. Compact at 4–5 ft with excellent fall foliage color. Hardy in Zones 3–8.
• Declaration (S. x hyacinthiflora): An early-blooming, heat-tolerant hybrid with fragrant, single, deep reddish-purple flowers. One of the best performing traditional-style lilacs for Zone 7. Hardy in Zones 3–8.

Product Details

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3–9 (heat-tolerant varieties); Zone 7 suitable
• Mature Height: 4–8 ft depending on variety
• Sunlight: Full sun — at least 6 hours daily; more sun means more blooms and better air circulation
• Soil: Well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil (pH 6.5–7.5); does not tolerate acidic or waterlogged conditions
• Watering: Water regularly during establishment; moderately drought-tolerant once mature
• Bloom Season: Late spring (April–May); Bloomerang also reblooms late summer–fall
• Pruning: Prune immediately after spring bloom — never in late summer or fall as buds for next year form right after flowering
• Fragrance: Highly fragrant — one of the most intensely scented flowering shrubs available
• Fertilizing: Apply a balanced or low-nitrogen fertilizer in early spring; avoid excess nitrogen which promotes leafy growth at the expense of flowers

These low-maintenance shrubs add delicate flowers and fine-textured foliage to your beds.

Spirea (Spiraea spp.) are some of the most versatile, carefree, and reliably beautiful shrubs you can grow in Tennessee. Whether you need a tough foundation planting, a colorful border shrub, or a flowering hedge, there is a spirea for the job. They bloom generously, require very little care, tolerate a wide range of soils and conditions, and many varieties offer attractive foliage color in addition to their delicate flowers — delivering interest across multiple seasons.

Popular Varieties for Tennessee

• Bridal Wreath Spirea (S. prunifolia): A Tennessee classic. In April, graceful arching branches are completely smothered in small, pure white double flowers before the leaves even emerge — a breathtaking early-spring display. Can reach 6–8 ft. Fall foliage turns attractive orange-red.
• Anthony Waterer / Neon Flash (S. japonica): Compact mounding shrubs (3–4 ft) covered in bright rose-pink or red flat-topped flower clusters from late spring into summer. Foliage emerges reddish, matures to green, and turns orange-red in fall.
• Double Play series (S. japonica): Award-winning compact varieties with vivid gold, orange, or red new foliage and hot pink flowers. Double Play Gold, Candy Corn, and Artisan are top performers in Tennessee landscapes.

Product Details

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3–9 depending on variety
• Mature Height: 2–8 ft depending on variety
• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade; best flower and foliage color in full sun
• Soil: Adaptable to most well-drained soils; tolerates clay and average fertility
• Watering: Moderate; drought-tolerant once established
• Bloom Season: Spring (Bridal Wreath); late spring through summer (Japanese Spirea types)
• Pruning: Bridal Wreath — prune right after blooming; Japanese types — cut back by one-third in late winter to encourage fresh growth and rebloom
• Fertilizing: Light application of balanced fertilizer in early spring

Easy to grow with large, hibiscus-like blooms that keep coming through the hottest part of summer.

Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) blooms when almost everything else in the summer garden has given up from the heat. From July through September — the hottest, driest weeks of the Tennessee summer — Rose of Sharon covers itself in large, showy, hibiscus-like flowers in shades of white, pink, lavender, purple, and bicolor. It is one of the most heat-tolerant and easy-to-grow flowering shrubs available, and a true workhorse for late-season color when your landscape needs it most.

Popular Varieties for Tennessee

• Aphrodite: Large, deep rose-pink flowers with a dark red eye. One of the most popular and widely grown varieties. Reaches 8–10 ft.
• Blue Chiffon: Soft lavender-blue semi-double flowers with a delicate, airy appearance. A refined choice for cottage and perennial garden settings.
• White Chiffon: Pure white double blooms with a clean, elegant appearance. Sterile — will not self-seed. 6–8 ft tall.
• Lil’ Kim series: Compact, sterile varieties reaching just 3–4 ft — ideal for smaller gardens, borders, and foundation plantings.

Product Details

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5–9
• Mature Height: 8–12 ft (standard); compact varieties 3–5 ft
• Mature Width: 4–6 ft
• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade; best bloom in full sun
• Soil: Adaptable to most well-drained soils; tolerates clay, poor fertility, and urban conditions
• Watering: Drought-tolerant once established; water during prolonged dry spells to maintain blooming
• Bloom Season: July through September — one of the latest-blooming shrubs available
• Pruning: Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth; blooms on new wood so hard pruning encourages larger flowers
• Wildlife Value: Excellent nectar source for hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies
• Fertilizing: Light application of balanced fertilizer in early spring

Loved by butterflies and bees, these shrubs bloom all summer long.

The Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii) lives up to every bit of its name. From midsummer through the first frost, its long, fragrant flower spikes in purple, pink, white, and magenta act as a magnet for butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds — turning your garden into a living wildlife sanctuary. Fast-growing, heat-tolerant, and incredibly floriferous, Butterfly Bush is one of the most rewarding shrubs you can grow in Tennessee for continuous summer color and non-stop pollinator activity.

Popular Varieties for Tennessee

• Black Knight: Deep, rich violet-purple flower spikes — one of the darkest and most dramatic colors available. A vigorous grower reaching 6–8 ft. A classic Tennessee favorite.
• Miss Ruby / Miss Molly: Compact varieties from the Lo & Behold series with vivid magenta-pink blooms. Sterile (non-seeding) and well-behaved in the landscape. 4–5 ft tall.
• White Profusion: Pure white flower spikes with an orange eye. A refined, elegant choice that pairs beautifully with darker flowering companions.
• Lo & Behold series: Compact, sterile, reblooming varieties ideal for smaller spaces and container gardening. Available in purple, pink, and white.

Product Details

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5–9
• Mature Height: 4–10 ft depending on variety; compact series 2–4 ft
• Sunlight: Full sun — at least 6 hours daily for best bloom production
• Soil: Well-drained soil of average to poor fertility; avoid rich, overly moist soils which promote foliage over flowers
• Watering: Drought-tolerant once established; water regularly during the first season
• Bloom Season: Midsummer through first frost (July–October)
• Pruning: Cut back hard to 12–18 inches in late winter or early spring — this is essential for vigorous growth and maximum blooms
• Wildlife Value: Outstanding — a top nectar source for butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds
• Fertilizing: Light application of balanced fertilizer in spring; avoid excess nitrogen

Spring favorites in every color from bold red to soft lavender, perfect for shady areas.

Azaleas (Rhododendron spp.) are the undisputed stars of the Southern spring garden. When azaleas bloom in April and May, they put on one of the most breathtaking floral displays of the entire year — smothering themselves in flowers of white, pink, red, coral, salmon, purple, and lavender. Tennessee’s mild winters and warm springs make our region one of the best places in the country to grow azaleas, and they are unbeatable for adding brilliant color to shady spots where few other flowering shrubs will perform.

Popular Varieties for Tennessee

• Encore Azaleas: A revolutionary series that blooms in spring, summer, and fall — not just once but three times a year. Available in a wide range of colors and sizes. The most popular azalea series for Tennessee landscapes.
• Kurume Azaleas: Compact, densely branched evergreen azaleas with small but profuse flowers in spring. Hino Crimson (vivid red) and Coral Bells (soft pink) are reliable Tennessee performers.
• Native Azaleas: Tennessee is home to beautiful native deciduous azaleas including the Flame Azalea (R. calendulaceum) with brilliant orange-red blooms, and the Pinxterbloom (R. periclymenoides) with delicate pink-lavender flowers. Excellent for naturalistic and woodland gardens.

Product Details

• USDA Hardiness Zones: Most varieties Zones 6–9; some hardy to Zone 4
• Mature Height: 2–8 ft depending on variety
• Sunlight: Partial shade to filtered sun; morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal; protect from hot western sun
• Soil: Moist, well-drained, acidic soil (pH 4.5–6.0); enrich with compost or pine bark at planting
• Watering: Keep consistently moist; shallow-rooted and sensitive to both drought and waterlogging
• Bloom Season: Spring (April–May); Encore varieties also rebloom in summer and fall
• Pruning: Prune immediately after spring bloom — never in late summer or fall as this removes next year’s buds
• Fertilizing: Use an acid-forming azalea/camellia fertilizer in early spring after blooming

Big blooms in white, pink, or blue that flourish from summer into fall.

Hydrangeas (Hydrangea spp.) are among the most spectacular flowering shrubs you can grow in Tennessee. Their enormous, showy blooms in shades of white, pink, blue, and purple put on a display from early summer all the way into fall, and their cut flowers are stunning both fresh and dried. With several species and dozens of varieties to choose from, there is a hydrangea perfectly suited for nearly every spot in your landscape.

Popular Varieties for Tennessee

• Bigleaf Hydrangea (H. macrophylla) — The classic mophead and lacecap types with large, round blooms. Flower color (blue or pink) is influenced by soil pH: acidic soils produce blue blooms, while alkaline soils shift flowers toward pink. Reblooming varieties such as Endless Summer perform especially well in Tennessee.
• Panicle Hydrangea (H. paniculata) — Produces large, cone-shaped white flower clusters in summer that fade to pink and tan in fall. Very heat and sun tolerant. Varieties like Limelight and Little Lime are Tennessee favorites.
• Smooth Hydrangea (H. arborescens) — Native to Tennessee woodlands. Annabelle and Incrediball produce enormous white snowball blooms all summer long. Tolerates shade and heavy pruning.
• Oakleaf Hydrangea (H. quercifolia) — A southeastern native with white cone-shaped blooms, dramatic oak-shaped leaves, cinnamon-colored peeling bark, and stunning fall color. Extremely heat and drought tolerant once established.

Product Details

• USDA Hardiness Zones: Most varieties Zones 5–9; Oakleaf Zones 5–9; Panicle Zones 3–9
• Mature Height: 3–8 ft depending on variety
• Sunlight: Morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal; Panicle types tolerate full sun
• Soil: Moist, well-drained, organically rich soil (pH 5.5–6.5 for blue blooms; 6.5–7.0 for pink)
• Watering: Keep consistently moist, especially during summer heat; do not allow to dry out completely
• Bloom Season: Early summer through fall depending on variety
• Pruning: Bigleaf and Oakleaf — prune right after blooming only; Panicle and Smooth — prune in late winter or early spring
• Fertilizing: Apply a slow-release balanced fertilizer in early spring; avoid high-nitrogen formulas which reduce blooming