5 Nature-Filled Attractions in Tennessee

Nashville's Top Nature Filled Attractions

 

Nashville is home to some of the most spectacular natural sites in Tennessee, states Tammy Sons, owner of TN  Nursery, a leading plant nursery & shipper of quality trees & garden plants in middle Tn.

In some areas, the beauty of nature is woven right into the city's architecture, while in other locations, large parks dominate the landscape. The selections I have made are all within a short driving distance from downtown Nashville.

Nature parks are great places to hike, run, or relax. They are also vacation destinations, bringing in visitors like any other city attraction. This review of the top scenic nature destinations in Nashville will help first-time visitors and long-term residents find the secrets of this beautiful city. Here is a top-five list of the more widespread nature sites around the Nashville city center.

Gaylord Opryland Resort Gardens are Nashville’s finest locations for significant events, fantastic scenery, and great food; The hotel is massive and astonishing, complete with massive conference rooms, stunning architecture, and an obsession over all things nature. The renowned Gaylord Opryland gardens are inside the building, sporting majestic waterfalls, towering trees, and native plants. There are over 15 restaurants on-site and a host of fun shops and bars to sneak inside. Even a guided boat tour travels a manufactured river, taking you to all the major sites and giving you an excellent view of the synchronized dancing waters. That is a great place to visit, considering the tour is free. Staying at the hotel, on the other hand, is quite expensive.

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Radnor Lake State Park is one of Nashville’s not-so-secret hidden gems. This oasis of nature sits exceptionally close to the city center, making it a hot spot for nature fanatics looking for a bit of an escape. For this reason, Radnor Lake State Park is often buzzing with people. Although the crowded parking lot may deter some, the sheer beauty of the park will draw in more people than it deters. There are peaceful hiking trails all around the lake, either paved or through wooded areas. The trails are all very well maintained and are excellent for walking or running all year round. This small pocket of wilderness is an excellent escape for or from the family! Centennial Park is one of Nashville’s most famous landmarks. This city park sits right across from Vanderbilt University and is one of the most visited sites in Nashville. All types of attractions entice natives and visitors alike to the green paradise. The most noticeable attraction is the replica Parthenon that sits dignified in the middle of the park. This stunning architecture is an ode to its Athenian influences and is scaled with perfect detail. Large park spaces occupy the rest of the ground, neighbored by an elegant pond, gardens, and winding running paths.

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Cheekwood Botanical Gardens & Museum of Art

One landmark that is almost wholly dedicated to the beauty of nature is Nashville’s Cheekwood Botanical Gardens & Museum of Art. Botanical gardens are outstanding nationwide, offering acres of unique and bountiful plants. A mansion on the plot is home to marvelous art pieces and grants you a little solace from the sun during the hot months. They are highly family-oriented and usually have fun holiday-themed activities for kids and parents alike. Most famously is the Harvest Festival that happens every October and the magical Christmas lights that adorn the trees in December.

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Edwin and Percy Warner Park is hidden in the backwoods of Belle Meade, tucked somewhere secluded from the dainty mansions surrounding the area. This pristine city park is dominated by nature and has miles of hiking routes. This area is kept quieter and is a great escape from the hectic city life. There is a nature visitor center where you can get a map of all the trails and fascinating sites scattered throughout the area. There are educational displays that are spread about as well, where you can learn even more about nature than what you notice with your eyes and ears.

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Whether you are a Nashville native, or someone looking for exciting things to do when they visit, these top destinations are fantastic options for getting closer to nature. Getting access to such beautiful wildlife is rare so close to a city, but Nashville is one of the few city locations that can incorporate nature so flawlessly. These great sites give you a chance to connect with nature while at the same time educating you on the vast species that exist in Nashville. Except for the Botanical Gardens, all of these sites are free for visitors and only ask that you leave these beautiful parks in the same conditions you found them in. So pack a lunch, load the family into the car, and drive down! The city and parks of Nashville are waiting.

Come check out our plants at TN Nursery:

 

Autumn Blaze Maple

Sugar Maple

Virginia Blue Bells

Ajuga

Wisteria

Red Maple Tree - TN Nursery

Red Maple Tree

Red Maple trees are native to North America and are known for their striking spring scarlet flowers, brilliant fall foliage, and distinctive twigs and leaf stems. They are versatile and aesthetically pleasing choices for landscaping and offer various benefits that enhance outdoor spaces. With their striking foliage, adaptable nature, and environmental contributions, red maple trees have become popular residential and commercial landscaping options.  Regarding gardens, the Red Maple Tree is a particular case because it often exceeds 100 feet in height. Its imposing nature and brilliantly colored foliage during the spring and fall make it a breathtaking sight in any garden. It is a focal point because it will dominate any garden landscape. The Flowers Of The Red Maple Tree Comes When It's 8 Years Old This plant will produce blooms when it is roughly eight years old. When the flowers emerge from them, they are tiny and scarlet, giving this maple its name. Interestingly, these pretty little flowers appear as early as December each year so that they will add splashes of crimson to the winter landscape in the garden. The male and female flowers are each a different shade, adding to the color palette of this stately plant. The flowers of this plant fade by the end of May, but the plant still looks like it's got flowers in bloom after pollination of the flowers. After the flowers fall away, beautiful samaras form in clusters throughout the summer, contrasting with the leaves. The Leaves Of The Red Maple Tree The leaves are lush and verdant, and they have one of the most famous shapes of any leaf in the plant kingdom. However, as the leaves turn colors in the autumn, they're not just one color. Gorgeous streaks of orange and yellow form throughout them, creating an almost kaleidoscopic effect as the eyes take in the majesty of the plant. Because this plant has so many colors, it goes well with many perennials of different shades, accentuating the colors of the other plants in the garden and vice versa. Because it is such a large plant for any garden, it's just right as a host for epiphytic plants to grow upon it. In this way, this plant can be integrated into the garden. Environmental Impact Of The Red Maple Tree Red Maple Tree is a necessary part of the food cycle as winter turns to spring, particularly for bumble bees. Because it flowers so early, it provides an exceptional source of pollen and nectar for hungry pollinators before almost any other plants bloom or produce leaves. These plants also help prevent soil erosion with their root systems, especially in wet climates.

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Sugar Maple Tree - TN Nursery

Sugar Maple Tree

Sugar Maple Tree is a large deciduous tree native to North America. It is prized for its vibrant fall foliage, distinctive five-lobed leaves, and the sap used to make maple syrup. The tree benefits landscaping endeavors, enriching outdoor spaces' aesthetics, ecological balance, and functional aspects. This majestic deciduous tree offers unique qualities that contribute to various dimensions of landscape design. If you have ever enjoyed syrup, you have the tree to thank. Of course, it is celebrated for more than just its ability to create sweet treats. It can also be used to add color to your property or a neighborhood as a whole. What Does Sugar Maple Tree Look Like As with most deciduous families, this one will grow to more than 100 feet tall in ideal conditions. However, it can grow to 150 feet in some instances. It also has a canopy of green leaves during the spring and summer and turns multiple colors in the fall. It also contains flowers and winged seeds that are used to create offspring. How Long Does It Take for Sugar Maple Tree to Mature They will typically take at least a decade to produce fruit, but it may only take a few years to produce flowers. In addition, they will grow relatively quickly, which is why they can be a great addition to private property or public parks. Sugar Maple Tree Root System Is Strong Like others, the Sugar Maple Tree will create a robust root system that can help stabilize soil or prevent erosion. Therefore, it can be an ideal choice in wet areas or on slopes where a landslide could quickly decimate a landscape. In addition to protecting your property, keeping erosion to a minimum can help keep others in your neighborhood or community safe.  Planting a Sugar Maple Tree on your property can provide birds and other animals with a place to live or food to survive. For instance, squirrels and other smaller creatures will eat the seeds, while deer may be interested in chewing on leaves. Some animals may be attracted to the foliage itself or the benefits it can provide other than being a food source for them.

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Virginia Bluebell - TN Nursery

Virginia Bluebell

Virginia Bluebell is a spring-blooming wildflower native to the United States recognized for its delicate, bell-shaped, sky-blue flowers forming clusters and carpeting the forest floor in early spring. It is a captivating perennial plant that offers numerous benefits when incorporated into landscaping designs. Its enchanting appearance and adaptability have made it a favorite among gardeners and landscapers. Virginia Bluebell produces Sky sky-blue bell-shaped flowers These flowers start as shades of pink and gradually transition to a soothing sky-blue hue, creating a stunning gradient effect that adds a touch of elegance to any landscape. The lush green foliage further complements the vibrant blooms, enhancing the overall visual impact. Besides its visual appeal, it is positively adjustable to various soil types, making it a perfect option for landscaping projects in multiple environments. Its preference for partially shaded to fully shaded areas makes it ideal for underplanting trees or placing them along the edges of woodland gardens. This versatility allows landscapers to create visually appealing designs catering to light conditions. Another benefit of incorporating them is their role in supporting local ecosystems. These plants are attractive to pollinators such as bees and butterflies, making them valuable contributors to biodiversity. By attracting these pollinators, they aid in reproducing nearby plants and promote a healthier ecosystem within the landscape. They also require little maintenance, making them appealing to amateur and experienced gardeners. Once established, they require minimal care, allowing landscapers to focus on other design aspects. In conclusion, perennial plants offer a range of benefits that enhance the overall appeal and ecological value of landscaping projects. With their captivating appearance, adaptability to various environments, support for local wildlife, and low maintenance needs, these perennial plants are a valuable addition to any landscape design seeking a harmonious blend of beauty and functionality. Virginia Bluebell Is Known For Its Beauty  The Virginia Bluebell, or Mertensia virginica, is a stunning and delicate native wildflower that graces eastern North America's woodlands and meadows. This perennial plant, belonging to the Boraginaceae family, is renowned for its enchanting beauty and is often considered one of the most striking spring wildflowers in its native range. Standing at heights 1 to 2.5 feet, the wildflower is a herbaceous plant that emerges from the forest floor early to mid-spring. Its growth cycle is a true spectacle as it undergoes a remarkable transformation. Initially, the plant's lance-shaped leaves are tinged with an attractive reddish-purple hue, but as they unfurl, they transition to a soft, gray-green color, creating a stunning contrast with its vibrant blue flowers. The Virginia Bluebell Has Mesmerizing Fairy-Like Flowers The flowers themselves are the main attraction of the plant. They are composed of clusters of pendulous, trumpet-shaped blooms that are a breathtaking shade of sky blue or pale pink, depending on the soil conditions. These blossoms are unique because they start as pink buds, gradually shifting to their iconic blue hue as they mature. The floral clusters adorn the plant's upright stems, creating a sea of blue that sways gently in the spring breeze. One of their most remarkable aspects is their ability to thrive in shaded woodland areas. They are often found in the dappled sunlight beneath deciduous trees, creating a serene and ethereal ambiance in these natural settings. Their preference for moist, rich soils ensures they are frequently spotted along stream banks and low-lying areas. Aside from its visual appeal, it plays an essential ecological role. They provide nectar for early-emerging pollinators like bees and butterflies, helping to kickstart the pollination process for various plants in their ecosystem. In conclusion, the Virginia Bluebell symbolizes grace and fleeting beauty in the natural world. Its striking blue flowers and unique life cycle make it a beloved harbinger of spring, enriching the landscapes it graces and captivating all who have the privilege to witness its brief but glorious bloom.

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Ajuga Reptans - TN Nursery

Ajuga Reptans

Ajuga Reptans is an evergreen flowering perennial groundcover that offers greenery year-round. The plant has shoots of purple blooms in early Spring, making it versatile and perfect for maintaining beauty in small areas. Ajuga Reptans Has Many Names They are known as bugle, common bugle, carpenter’s herb, bugle herb, Bugleweed, carpetweed, and St. Lawrence plant; this is a hardy member of the mint family. In this planting season, look for ways to transform empty and bare ground space into lush foliage. While there are plenty of options to choose from when establishing a lawn, only a few work well in partially shady gardens. If you are also struggling to grow plants and grass in your calm, shady areas, Ajuga Reptans is the answer you are looking for. Ajuga Reptans Is A Wonderful Groundcover Also known as Bugleweed, these Ajuga Reptans create a stunning deep green ground cover with blue-tone spikes of lovely flowers. Whether you are: A new gardener or an experienced one. Working with this flowering plant is a breeze as it proliferates. Fill in all the unsightly and empty areas in your garden. However, when planting Bugleweed, you want to consider growing conditions for it to thrive and form a dense carpet of flowers. Plant it in damp but not wet dirt in a partially shaded area during Spring or autumn. These flowers do not grow in dry, damp, and sunny gardens. With ideal growing conditions, this flowering plant will grow into a thick, lush ground cover, enhancing the overall appeal of your outdoor space. Features of Ajuga Reptans Here are a few distinctive features that make Bugleweed a must-have addition to your garden: Year-Round Foliage: Bugleweed stays vibrant green throughout the year and can thrive in all types of growing zones. Low-Maintenance: Once established, this flowering plant is easy to maintain and perfect for new and busy gardeners. Pollinators: The beautiful spikey flowers that bloom in sprint attract different pollinators, which help support the local ecosystem and promote biodiversity. Deer-Resistant: Ajuga Reptans is excellent deer-resistant and helps keep deer out of your property. With all these features and benefits in mind, adding Ajuga Reptans to your landscaping is the only right choice. So, check out Ajuga plants for sale at TN Nursery.

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Wisteria Sinensis - TN Nursery

Wisteria Vine

The Wisteria Vine is a highly fragrant woody trailing plant known for its cascading clusters of fragrant, pea-like flowers in lavender colors, often grown on pergolas, trellises, and arbors for its ornamental. They are renowned for their stunning beauty and hold great value in landscaping due to their numerous attributes. The Stunning flowers of The Wisteria Vine This beautiful Wisteria Sinensis is a vine-covered in pale purple flowers and bright green leaves. Its stems create woody plants that can either twist together to create a trunk-like appearance or elongate to twine around supports. The plant can expand up to 20 to 35 feet in length, and it can support multiple plants that branch out from the central stem. Wisteria Vine is a highly fragrant woody plant known for its cascading clusters of lavender-colored, pea-like flowers. It is often grown on pergolas, trellises, and arbors. The characteristic flowers of this plant dangle in long strings of blossoms all over the plant. Clusters around 12 inches hang off the plant and hold rows of small, regularly spaced blooms. Individual flowers feature a large petal at the top and two smaller petals cupped together around a center with yellow-green stamens. Flower petals can be all shades of purple and white, and some may have a bluish or pinkish tint. It's common for the flower clusters to have a pleasant, ombre appearance, with flowers at the tip of the cluster being a much darker shade of purple. Wisteria Vine Is Flexible  Since this plant's flexibility can twist into many shapes, it's a highly versatile landscaping option. Some people prefer to keep their plant as a tree or bush. It can be a charming accent that produces clusters of fragrant flowers wherever you place it. You can also set this plant near a supportive trellis or wall if you want a genuinely eye-catching landscaping structure. Especially when planted in bunches, you can create stunning arcs, tunnels, ceilings, and walls of beautiful purple flowers. Wisteria Vine Has Stunning Foliage Wisteria Vine usually blooms around early May before the plant has even started to sprout leaves. After having a lush coat of nothing but purple blossoms for a while, the plant begins to produce small, lime-green leaves that blend beautifully with the flowers. The flowers leave in summer, and the leaves gradually darken to a rich, emerald green. Once the weather cools, the leaves turn a brilliant yellow before falling away to reveal the fascinating twists and loops of the underlying branches.

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