Heat-Resilient Plants for the Chattanooga Summer

July 21, 2025

Chattanooga's summer heat can be intense, making it essential to choose the right plants for your garden that can thrive in the sun, heat, and humidity. Fortunately, there are a variety of heat-resistant plants that not only tolerate the high temperatures but also add beauty and texture to your landscape. Here are some excellent choices for Chattanooga’s hot summer days:

A garden with potted plants and a watering can

1. Lantana

Lantanas are vibrant, colorful plants that can endure the heat and drought. They attract pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds, making them perfect for a sunny garden. With their bright blooms, Lantanas are a fantastic choice for adding pops of color all summer long.



Growing Tips: Plant in full sun with well-drained soil. Once established, Lantanas are drought-tolerant and require minimal care.

2. Coneflower (Echinacea)

Coneflowers are well-suited to hot, dry climates, and they come in a range of colors, from purple to pink, white, and even orange. Their sturdy petals and tall stems make them a standout addition to any garden bed or landscape.



Growing Tips: Echinacea thrives in full sun and can handle a variety of soil types, as long as it is well-drained. They are low-maintenance and drought-tolerant once established.

3. Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)

Russian Sage is a perennial that loves the heat. Its silver-gray foliage and purple-blue flowers add a delicate, airy feel to the landscape. It's especially great for planting along borders or in rock gardens.


Growing Tips: Russian Sage grows best in full sun with well-drained soil. It’s drought-tolerant once established and needs minimal watering.

4. Sedum (Autumn Joy)

Sedum, also known as “Stonecrop,” is a perfect plant for hot, dry conditions. The succulent-like leaves store water, making it ideal for those summer days when rainfall is scarce. Its late-season blooms bring an added touch of beauty to the garden.



Growing Tips: Sedum thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Once established, it requires little maintenance and can tolerate drought conditions.

A close up of a plant with caterpillars on it

5. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

Black-eyed Susans are known for their cheerful yellow blooms and are great at tolerating both heat and drought. These tough perennials will continue to bloom throughout the summer, attracting bees and butterflies to your garden.



Growing Tips: Plant in full sun and well-drained soil. Black-eyed Susans are adaptable and thrive in hot, dry conditions.

A woman is cutting a bush with a pair of scissors.

6. Daylilies (Hemerocallis)

Daylilies are another reliable choice for Chattanooga gardens. With their vibrant flowers that come in various colors, they thrive in the summer heat, and their blooms often last throughout the season.



Growing Tips: Daylilies prefer full sun but can also tolerate partial shade. They need well-drained soil and should be watered regularly until established.

A woman is cutting a bush with a pair of scissors.

7. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Yarrow is a hardy perennial known for its ability to thrive in hot, dry conditions. Its fern-like foliage and colorful flower clusters make it a wonderful addition to any landscape. Yarrow is also an excellent choice for cut flowers.


Growing Tips: Yarrow prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Once established, it is drought-tolerant and requires minimal care.

8. Verbena

Verbena is a hardy, sun-loving plant that offers vibrant clusters of flowers in red, purple, pink, and white. It thrives in hot weather and is an excellent choice for hanging baskets, containers, or flower beds.


Growing Tips: Plant in full sun with well-drained soil. Verbena is drought-tolerant and requires regular deadheading to encourage more blooms.

9. Miscanthus Gracillimus (Maiden Grass)

Miscanthus Gracillimus is a versatile and stunning ornamental grass known for its fine, arching foliage and beautiful feathery plumes that appear in late summer and continue through fall. This grass thrives in full sun and adds height and texture to any garden, with its graceful structure providing visual interest throughout the growing season.



Growing Tips: Miscanthus Gracillimus thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It’s heat-tolerant and requires minimal maintenance once established. Trim back in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.

A woman is cutting a bush with a pair of scissors.

10. Lavender

Lavender is well-known for its fragrant purple flowers and ability to thrive in dry, hot conditions. It attracts pollinators and can also be used in cooking and aromatherapy, making it a great multi-purpose plant for the garden.



Growing Tips: Lavender grows best in full sun with well-drained, slightly alkaline soil. It’s drought-tolerant once established and requires minimal care.

Conclusion

By selecting heat-resilient plants for your garden, you can ensure that your landscape thrives even during the hottest days of summer. These plants are not only beautiful but also practical, requiring less water and maintenance while providing color, texture, and life to your outdoor space. Whether you're looking to attract pollinators, add vibrant blooms, or enjoy low-maintenance greenery, these heat-resistant plants will help you create a stunning and sustainable landscape for Chattanooga's hot summers.

If you're ready to enhance your garden with heat-loving plants, contact us for expert advice on selecting the best varieties for your specific needs!

Preparing Your Soil for Next Year: Winterizing Tips for a Healthier Garden

By Digital+Smart Marketing • December 1, 2025
As the chill of winter settles in and your garden starts to wind down, now is the perfect time to think ahead to next year’s growing season. While most gardeners are wrapping up their outdoor chores, one essential task shouldn’t be overlooked: preparing your soil for the months ahead. Winterizing your garden’s soil is one of the best ways to ensure your plants have the nutrients and structure they need to thrive come spring.  Think of soil as the foundation of a house—it’s the base that supports everything you grow, and ensuring it’s in top shape will make your garden healthier, more productive, and ready for an amazing growing season. In this blog, we’ll dive into some fun and easy soil preparation tips that will give your garden a jumpstart and ensure it’s primed for success when the warmer weather returns.

How Artificial Turf Can Keep Your Yard Green Through Winter

By Digital+Smart Marketing • November 25, 2025
As the days shorten and temperatures drop, many homeowners in Chattanooga face the inevitable: a brown, dormant lawn. Traditional grass lawns struggle to maintain their vibrant green color throughout the winter months due to frost, freezing temperatures, and the lack of sunlight. But there’s a solution that can keep your yard looking lush and vibrant all year long—artificial turf. If you're tired of the hassle of winter lawn care or simply want to enjoy a beautiful, green yard throughout the colder months, artificial turf is the perfect option. In this blog, we'll explore how artificial turf can keep your yard green through winter, the benefits it offers, and why it's the right choice for your property.

The Best Time to Plant Trees: Fall Tree Installation Guide for Chattanooga

By Digital+Smart Marketing • October 20, 2025
As the crisp air of fall rolls in, it’s the perfect time to turn your attention to tree planting. While spring is often touted as the ideal time to plant trees, fall offers several advantages that make it a prime season for tree installation in Chattanooga. With cooler temperatures and more consistent rainfall, fall provides the ideal environment for your new trees to establish strong roots before the winter chill arrives.  In this guide, we’ll explore why fall is the best time to plant trees in Chattanooga, along with expert tips on how to make your tree installation a success.

How to Protect Your Outdoor Furniture and Hardscaping from Winter

By Digital+Smart Marketing • October 13, 2025
As the chill of fall begins to set in and winter approaches, your outdoor living spaces might be at risk of damage from cold temperatures, moisture, and harsh weather conditions. While many homeowners focus on preparing their lawn and garden beds for winter, outdoor furniture and hardscaping often get overlooked. Protecting these areas is essential to preserving the beauty, functionality, and longevity of your outdoor spaces.  Whether you’ve invested in a beautiful new patio, fire pit, or seating area, or you’re looking for ways to safeguard your hardscaping elements from the elements, we’re here to help. In this blog, we’ll discuss how to protect your outdoor furniture and hardscaping features for the winter, along with how our expert hardscaping services—such as pouring concrete, paver installation, and gravel/pea pebble installations—can prepare and protect your outdoor space throughout the colder months.

Why Regular Yard Maintenance Is Essential for Your Lawn’s Health

By Digital+Smart Marketing • September 25, 2025
Keep your lawn healthy year-round with raking, leaf removal, and sustainable yard care from Chattanooga experts.

Fall Grass Seeding 101: How to Achieve a Lush, Green Lawn

By Digital+Smart Marketing • September 10, 2025
As the sweltering heat of summer fades and cooler, crisp days arrive, it’s the perfect time to think about your lawn’s health and beauty. Fall is one of the best seasons for planting new grass or rejuvenating an existing lawn. With the right timing and technique, you can ensure a lush, vibrant green lawn that will thrive through the cooler months and set the stage for a stunning yard in the spring. Here’s your ultimate guide to fall grass seeding, filled with expert tips to help you achieve the lawn of your dreams. Why Fall is the Best Time for Grass Seeding Many homeowners overlook the fall as an ideal time to plant grass, but this season offers a variety of benefits that make it the perfect window for seeding: Cooler temperatures: The cooler air and soil temperatures create an ideal environment for grass seed germination. Grass grows best in temperatures between 50-65°F, which is common during the fall months. Less competition from weeds: Weeds tend to slow down during fall, giving your grass seeds a better chance to establish roots before the winter months. Moisture: Fall often brings more consistent rainfall, helping the seeds settle into the soil and providing them with the moisture they need for germination. Strong root development: Grass seeds planted in the fall have the chance to grow strong roots before the winter freeze. This root development ensures that the grass will be healthier and more resilient when spring arrives. Step-by-Step Guide to Fall Grass Seeding Achieving a lush, green lawn through fall seeding requires careful preparation and attention to detail. Follow these steps to ensure your grass has the best chance for success: Choose the Right Grass Seed for Your Region Selecting the right grass seed is critical for achieving a healthy, lush lawn. For fall seeding, certain grass varieties are better suited to cooler temperatures and the growing conditions of fall. Here are some top choices for your lawn: Fescue: Fescue is a cool-season grass that thrives in cooler temperatures and is well-suited for the fall. It’s known for its shade tolerance and ability to create a lush, green lawn. It's an excellent choice for lawns that receive partial shade or areas with more foot traffic. Bermuda: While Bermuda is typically a warm-season grass, it can still be seeded in the fall in regions where the winter is mild. Bermuda grass is heat-tolerant and drought-resistant, and it can develop strong roots in fall, preparing it to grow vigorously in the spring. Clover/Fescue Mix: For a low-maintenance, eco-friendly lawn, consider a mix of fescue and clover. Clover is drought-resistant and provides excellent ground cover, while fescue offers the lush, green look typical of a traditional lawn. The combination creates a hardy lawn that’s resilient and requires less water and fertilizer. SlopeMaster: For areas with slopes, consider using SlopeMaster seed. This blend is specifically formulated for erosion control and fast establishment on sloped surfaces. It's an excellent choice for preventing soil erosion while providing a green, attractive cover on hilly landscapes. Choosing the right grass mix for your needs and lawn conditions will ensure a successful seeding and establish a lawn that thrives throughout the fall and spring.

Seasonal Shrub and Tree Maintenance for a Healthy Winter Transition

By Digital+Smart Marketing • September 10, 2025
As the warm days of summer begin to fade and the cooler breeze of fall rolls in, it’s time to prepare your garden for the winter months ahead. While many of us focus on getting our lawns and flower beds ready for the chill, trees and shrubs also require special attention to ensure they stay healthy and strong through the winter. Proper seasonal care for your trees and shrubs will not only help them survive the cold temperatures but also thrive in the coming spring. Here’s your essential guide to seasonal shrub and tree maintenance, to ensure a healthy winter transition for your landscape. Prune and Trim Dead or Damaged Growth Pruning is one of the most important tasks in preparing your shrubs and trees for winter. As the weather cools, your plants will go into dormancy, but any dead or diseased growth needs to be removed to promote healthy growth in the next season. Remove dead or diseased branches: Start by inspecting your trees and shrubs for any damaged or diseased branches. Removing these helps reduce the risk of pests and diseases over the winter months and encourages the plant to direct its energy toward healthy growth. Shape shrubs: Trimming shrubs to maintain their shape can help prevent wind damage and snow accumulation, both of which could harm the plant’s structure. Make sure to prune back leggy or overly bushy growth to maintain a strong, balanced shape. Avoid heavy pruning of flowering shrubs: For shrubs that bloom in early spring (such as Forsythia or Lilac), avoid heavy pruning during fall as you may remove the buds for next season. Instead, focus on removing dead or weak stems to prevent disease. Watering: Don't Let Them Dry Out Although fall brings cooler temperatures, trees and shrubs still need consistent watering to prepare for winter. Moisture in the soil helps the roots establish strong systems before they go dormant for the winter. Deep watering: Before the ground freezes, give your trees and shrubs a deep watering, especially if the fall season has been dry. Aim to water deeply once a week if rainfall is insufficient. Focus on the root zone, as this is where the plant will absorb moisture for the coming cold months. Mulch to retain moisture: Mulch is a great way to help the soil retain moisture and keep the roots insulated against the cold. Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base of trees and shrubs. Be sure to keep mulch a few inches away from the trunks to prevent rot. Fertilizing for Winter Health While you don’t need to fertilize all trees and shrubs during the fall, some could benefit from a little extra nourishment before winter. Fall fertilization encourages strong root growth and helps your plants build up energy reserves for the coming spring. Use a slow-release fertilizer: Choose a slow-release, balanced fertilizer that’s high in potassium and phosphorus to encourage root development rather than promoting top growth. Apply the fertilizer according to the manufacturer's directions, and avoid fertilizing late in the season, as this could encourage new growth that may not have enough time to harden off before the cold weather sets in. Evergreens need extra care: Evergreen trees and shrubs, such as pines, firs, and spruces, continue to transpire moisture throughout the winter. They benefit from a light fall feeding to help them survive the dry winter months. Opt for a fertilizer formulated for evergreens for best results.

Artificial Turf Maintenance: Keeping It Green in the Hottest Months

August 25, 2025
Artificial turf is a fantastic solution for homeowners looking to maintain a lush, green lawn year-round—especially during the hottest months of summer when natural grass struggles to stay vibrant. While artificial turf requires less maintenance than natural grass, it still needs attention to keep it looking its best throughout the season. Here are some essential maintenance tips for ensuring your artificial turf stays green and pristine, even in the heat of summer.

Preparing Your Lawn for Fall: End-of-Summer Pruning and Trimming Tips

August 14, 2025
As the heat of summer begins to wane and cooler fall days approach, it’s time to start thinking about how to prepare your lawn and garden for the upcoming season. One of the best ways to ensure your landscape stays healthy and vibrant throughout the fall and winter months is by performing end-of-summer pruning and trimming. Here are some essential tips to help your plants, trees, and lawn thrive as we transition into the cooler months.

Fence Styles for Summer: Enhance Privacy and Curb Appeal

July 28, 2025
As summer rolls in, homeowners and business owners alike look for ways to boost their outdoor spaces—combining functionality with aesthetic charm. Whether you want to enjoy a peaceful backyard barbecue, define your property line, or enhance security, choosing the right fence can transform your outdoor area into the perfect summer sanctuary. At Green Grounds Solutions , we specialize in residential and commercial fencing of all styles, heights, and materials, ensuring you get the perfect fit for your property.