As our environment changes, so does our plant palette.

When John Puryear began his landscaping career over 30 years ago, the list of standard plants used in Tennessee landscapes was far different than what we see today. Changes to our local environment over the past few years have required us to take a closer examination of which varieties of plants can tolerate all weather conditions, from extreme hot to extreme cold and everything in between. Many of the plants used back then have been replaced by superior selections with more attractive qualities and growth habits. Others were removed from the list due to issues with emerging pests and pathogens. The list of plants relegated to the graveyard of horticulture has become extensive over the years. 

In Middle Tennessee, we have endured extreme cold snaps, which killed broadleaf evergreens and other plant types. On the other end of the spectrum, we have seen intense heat conditions and extended periods without rain. 

Nashville and the surrounding mid-Tennessee area have experienced one of the most dramatic shifts in heat throughout the entire country.

Nashville has experienced alarming and record-breaking temperature increases. 

According to a CNN article, Nashville is ranked third among cities nationwide that have seen the largest increase in days above 95°F over the past 10 years. Specifically, this summer, there has been a recorded surge in extremely hot days. Over the last decade, Nashville had an average of seven extremely hot days per year. This year alone, we have had 23 days so far of extremely hot temperatures, a 229% increase from the 2013-2023 average.

Even more alarming, Nashville leads the country in the percentage increase of days hotter than 95°F since 1976. Seeing as this percent change is so drastic, at first glance, it almost looks as if it should be a misprint. 

In 1976, Nashville, on average, only experienced one day that was 95°F or hotter. By 2023, the average had risen to 22 days with a temperature over 95°F. That is a 2,133% increase, the largest of any city in the United States. It is a mind-blowing number, especially when compared to the rates of increase in the other cities that have also experienced alarming rises. 

How Can We Adapt?

At Puryear Farms, our landscape installation practice is to grow and store many of our plant materials here in our nursery. This allows us to closely monitor plant materials in a protected environment, even in our inconsistent weather conditions, until your site is ready for installation. Our field nursery sets us apart from our competition and enables us to execute jobs in a timely, efficient manner as well as keep plants safe from uncertain weather until it is time to plant.

While we do not want to speculate on the reasons for these severe temperature changes, as horticulturists, we will react to the changes by adapting our plant pallet to select plants that can withstand the extremes; from hottest to coldest. Unfortunately, this does mean narrowing our plant selection palette, but also ensures the plants we provide can hold up against all weather conditions. We will continue to research new plant varieties and extend our list of plants that can withstand our changing environment. 

Which Plants Are on the List?

At Puryear Farms, we are dedicated to providing our clients with the finest care for their lawns. Below is our expert list of plants that have fallen out of favor, along with recommendations for substitutions that we hope will be more adaptable to our new climate.

Our Plant Palette ‘No Fly List’

• Schip Laurels: For many years, laurels became the favorite selection because we needed a fast-growing, upright evergreen shrub that doesn’t get too large. Although previously great for hedges, high foundation planting, and evergreen backdrops, rapid drops in temperature during recent winters have severely damaged them.

What to plant instead: Hicksii Yews, Burford Hollies, or Dee-Runk Boxwoods make great alternatives to Schip Laurels.

• Dwarf Hamlen or Muhly grass: These dwarf grasses have become very appealing as heat tolerant arid selections in the landscape. However, these grasses can not tolerate our winter conditions.

What to plant instead: Grasses such as Carex, Liriope, Little Bluestem, Dwarf Miscanthus, or Karl Forester are plants we would recommend in place of Dwarf Hamlen or Muhly grass. 

• Oakland Red Hollies: This has become a very appealing upright screening holly used in the landscape because of its compact growth habit. As development trends change, resulting in lot sizes becoming smaller, the need for compact plants increases. Although we are not removing this wonderful plant from the plant palette completely, we want to advise that these plants have experienced damage for the past several winters; not from extremely low temperatures, but rather from rapid shifts in temperatures over a short period of time. The intense drop from 55°F to 12°F within a 24-hour period two years ago resulted in complete loss of these plants.

What to plant instead: Foster No. 2 Hollies, Nellie Stevens Hollies, or Greenleaf American Hollies make our plant palette over Oakland Red Hollies. None of these plants have the compact growth habit of the wonderful Oakland Hollies, but they do better withstand severe conditions.

• Cryptomeria (Japanese False Cedar): A plant that was previously on our list as one of the finest upcoming plant selections in the industry, has now joined the off-list. Its graceful upright form replaced the infested Leyland Cypress and the mammoth Eastern White Pine. It had great promise, until the winter of 2023 when 100% of Cryptomeria in our region were killed by sudden and rapid drops in winter temperatures even when within sheltered locations.

What to plant instead: Green Giant Arborvitaes or a wide variety of Eastern Red Cedar Cultivars make our list. Eastern Red Cedar Cultivars are our only native coniferous evergreens in the area and have survived our climate shifts for ages. There are drawbacks to these selections, but they are reliable survivors of climate extremes.

These trees and plants are not made for open spaces, and due to the inconsistent temperatures, wind, and other extreme weather fluctuations, they have not performed well. We recommend using plants that have stood the test and will not only survive the Middle Tennessee weather changes but will still look up-to-shape when spring comes around. 

These ‘no fly list’ plants listed above are just a handful that has been negatively impacted by cold winter conditions. Many others have also demonstrated vulnerability to our extreme summer heat and drought conditions. In future editions, we will continue to provide our expert recommendations for substitutions and alternate selections to help you best adapt to our ever-changing climate. 

Change is as inevitable as it is uncomfortable. What we enjoyed in the past may not survive in the future. However, it is exciting to consider that we have new selections to enjoy in the future that we have not even been introduced to yet. We are sure the landscapes of our great-grandchildren will look very different from those of today and no less interesting.

Let’s Landscape!

Need landscaping help or installation services? Contact Puryear Farms today to get started. We offer a broad scope of services far beyond just installing plant materials. By evaluating your site, using our expert knowledge of adaptable plants, and listening to your needs, we are able to combine all of the components necessary to create an outdoor environment that improves your quality of life and enhances the value of the property. We have called Middle Tennessee home since 1991 and offer professional landscaping services you can trust.

Join Our Newsletter