Gardening Resources for Chattanooga, TN

Local Organizations and Plant Societies

  1. Wild Ones – Chattanooga Chapter
    Website: Wild Ones
    Wild Ones is a national organization focused on promoting biodiversity through native plant gardening. The Chattanooga chapter offers educational resources and events to help local gardeners create habitat gardens that support native species, reduce lawn dependency, and improve ecological health.
  2. Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center
    Website: Reflection Riding
    Reflection Riding serves as an environmental education hub for the Chattanooga area. It focuses on habitat restoration, native plant conservation, and wildlife education. Their programs and events often emphasize the importance of native plants in maintaining healthy ecosystems.
  3. Tennessee Native Plant Society
    Website: Tennessee Native Plant Society
    This organization offers a wealth of resources for anyone interested in native plants. It advocates for the preservation and use of native plants in Tennessee landscapes and provides educational materials and field trips for discovering and learning about the plants native to the state.
  4. Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) – Natural Resources
    Website: TVA Natural Resources
    The TVA plays an important role in maintaining and restoring the natural landscape of the Tennessee Valley. Their programs promote conservation, including the use of native plants in landscaping, habitat restoration, and erosion control efforts throughout the region.
  5. Chattanooga Audubon Society
    Website: Chattanooga Audubon Society
    This local chapter of the Audubon Society focuses on bird conservation and habitat restoration. They advocate for planting native plants that support wildlife and educate the public on creating bird-friendly gardens that benefit local ecosystems.

Books on Native Plants

  1. Wildflowers of Tennessee: The Ohio Valley and the Southern Appalachians
    Amazon Link: Wildflowers of Tennessee
    This book provides detailed descriptions of wildflowers native to Tennessee, the Ohio Valley, and the Southern Appalachians. It’s a fantastic guide for identifying and learning about the plants that thrive in this region, making it an essential resource for habitat gardening.
  2. Gardening with the Native Plants of Tennessee: The Spirit of Place
    Amazon Link: Gardening with the Native Plants of Tennessee
    Written by Margie Hunter, this book focuses on how to create gardens with Tennessee’s native plants. It emphasizes the concept of “spirit of place” – designing gardens that reflect the local ecosystem and contribute to its health and biodiversity.
  3. Native Trees of the Southeast: An Identification Guide
    Amazon Link: Native Trees of the Southeast
    This comprehensive guide helps you identify the native trees of the Southeastern United States. It’s particularly useful for gardeners wanting to incorporate trees into their habitat gardens and for anyone interested in understanding the ecology of their area.
  4. Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants by Doug Tallamy
    Amazon Link: Bringing Nature Home
    A must-read for anyone passionate about habitat gardening, Doug Tallamy’s book explains the vital role native plants play in supporting local wildlife, from insects to birds. It offers practical advice on how to create a wildlife-friendly garden using native plants.
  5. The Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Trees by Doug Tallamy
    Amazon Link: The Nature of Oaks
    Another essential book by Doug Tallamy, focusing on the oak tree and its incredible ecological importance. This book will deepen your understanding of the role native trees play in habitat gardening and local ecosystems.

Whether you’re looking to get involved with a local organization, find plants that suit your garden, or expand your knowledge, these resources will help you grow a garden that supports biodiversity and the local environment.