TN Nursery

What TN Nursery does

TN Nursery, operating legally as Tennessee Wholesale Nursery, is a third-generation family-owned online plant nursery headquartered in Altamont, Tennessee, founded in 1959 and led by Founder & CEO Tammy Sons. The company operates 170 acres of field-grown native plant production in Tennessee, cultivating over 300 varieties of perennials, ferns, trees, shrubs, vines, and wetland plants, with a claimed position as America's largest pawpaw tree grower (2 million+ trees available and 4 million+ annual seed capacity). Its core technical differentiator is a proprietary bare-root cultivation and shipping methodology — plants are field-grown, harvested while dormant, and shipped without soil — claimed to produce stronger root systems and higher transplant success rates than container-grown alternatives.

The business operates a direct-to-consumer e-commerce model through tnnursery.net, supplemented by phone ordering, a separate wholesale channel (tennesseewholesalenursery.com), and an affiliate/collaborator program. Pricing is unit-based with individual plants generally ranging from $7.99 to $36.99, bulk packages from $24.99 to $54.99, free shipping above $29, and frequent Buy 1 Get 1 Free promotions across roughly 90% of inventory. Customer segments are predominantly long-tail individual homeowners and gardeners, with secondary segments in conservation/restoration projects and professional landscaping, and a recent partnership with the Tennessee Department of Transportation for monarch butterfly habitat restoration. Cumulative customer count exceeds 1 million, with a 4.7-star Google rating across 15,045+ reviews and earned media coverage in Discovery Channel, Martha Stewart, and Forbes.

Name

TN Nursery

Legal name

Tennessee Wholesale Nursery

Website

https://www.tnnursery.net/

Company type

Private

Founded year

1938

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

TN Nursery is a third-generation family-owned online plant nursery operating 170 acres in Tennessee, specializing in bare-root native plants, trees, ferns, and ecological restoration stock sold direct-to-consumer to homeowners, landscapers, and restoration projects across the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Online Plant Nursery

NAICS

Nursery and Floriculture Production (11142), Nursery and Tree Production (111421), Nursery, Garden Center, and Farm Supply Retailers (444240)

SIC

Agricultural Production-Crops (100), Retail-Building Materials, Hardware, Garden Supply (5200)

akta.pro primary industry

Nursery Production (Woody Ornamentals: Trees, Shrubs, Roses) (AFAGAHAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Nursery Stock & Propagule Production (Cuttings, Rootstocks, Grafts) (AFAGAIAO), Landscape Plant & Nursery Stock Wholesalers (Grower-Wholesalers) (AFAGAHAM), Plants, Seeds & Nursery Retail (Garden Centers) (CRAIAIAB)

Keywords

• Native plant nursery
• Bare root plants
• Online plant sales
• Ecological restoration plants
• Pollinator garden plants

Headquarters

HQ city

Altamont

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. E-commerce Plant Sales: Direct-to-consumer online sales of native plants, trees, shrubs, ferns, and perennials through their e-commerce website. Products are sold individually and in packages, with bulk pricing available for larger orders. The company operates on a one-time purchase model where customers buy plants outright, with repeat purchases driven by garden expansion or new projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

TN Nursery is a third-generation, family-owned online plant nursery that grows and ships bare-root native plants, trees, shrubs, perennials, ferns, vines, and ecological restoration plants directly to consumers across the United States from its 170-acre field operation in Tennessee. The company operates a direct-to-consumer e-commerce storefront (tnnursery.net) plus a wholesale channel, with a catalog of more than 300 varieties sold grower-direct to eliminate middleman markups.

Product overview

TN Nursery is a family-owned online plant nursery specializing in native and sustainable landscaping solutions, operating since 1959. The company offers a diverse portfolio of over 300+ varieties of native trees, shrubs, perennials, ferns, vines, and restoration plants, primarily as bare root specimens. Core offerings include Perennials (Pollinator Plants, Shade Perennials, Long Blooming Perennials), Ferns (Giant Ostrich Fern, Christmas Fern, Fiddlehead Fern), Trees (Pawpaw Trees, Fruit Trees, Evergreen Trees, Flowering Trees), Shrubs, Vines (Trumpet Vine), and Ecological Restoration Plants (Live Stakes, Fascine Bundles, Brush Layer Bundles). The product line also includes specialty offerings such as Plant Subscriptions, Package Deals (pre-curated bundles), and educational resources through the Plant Research Library. Plants are shipped bare root for healthier transplanting with a focus on supporting pollinators, wildlife, and ecological restoration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Perennials A broad category of native perennial plants organized into Pollinator Plants, Shade Perennials, Long Blooming Perennials, Sun Perennials, and Deer Resistant Perennials for diverse home garden applications.
• Ferns Extensive fern collection including Ferns For Sun, Ferns For Shade, Easy Ferns To Grow, and Ferns For Cold Zones, featuring Giant Ostrich Fern, Christmas Fern, Fiddlehead Fern, Lady Fern, and Hay Scented Fern varieties.
• Trees Native trees including Tree Seedlings, Fruit Trees, Evergreen Trees, Flowering Trees, and Fast Growing Trees, with over 300+ varieties available across USDA climate zones.
• Shrubs Selection of Flowering Shrubs, Evergreen Shrubs, and Deer Resistant Shrubs for residential and commercial landscaping applications.
• Pawpaw Trees Asimina triloba, North America's largest native fruit tree, producing tropical-tasting fruit and supporting wildlife and pollinators. TN Nursery is America's largest grower with over 2 million trees available.
• Creeping Phlox Phlox subulata, an evergreen groundcover plant with vibrant spring blooms in pink, purple, white, or blue flowers, forming a dense carpet ideal for rock gardens, slopes, and borders.
• Milkweed Plants Asclepias incarnata, the essential host plant for monarch butterflies, producing clusters of pink, orange, white, or purple star-shaped flowers that attract pollinators and support wildlife habitat.
• Vines Climbing vines including Trumpet Vine for attracting hummingbirds and other flowering vines for vertical garden applications.
• Ecological Restoration Plants Specialized native plants for habitat restoration, soil stabilization, and ecosystem rebuilding projects, including Fascine Bundles, Brush Layer Bundles, and various Live Stakes such as Black Willow, Buttonbush, Hydrangea, River Birch, and Silky Dogwood.
• Live Tree Stakes Live stake products for erosion control and restoration including Willow Live Stakes, Silky Willow, Silver Maple, River Birch, Black Willow, Silky Dogwood, and Roughleaf Dogwood.
• Wetland Plants Plants suited for wetland environments and water garden applications, used in rain gardens and wetland restoration projects.
• Package Deals Curated plant bundles including Shade Fern Package, 25-Fern Naturalizing Landscape Bundle, Hummingbird Plants Collection, Water Garden Plants, Perennial Package, 15 Hardy Ferns Variety, Ground Cover Favorites, and 50 Perennial & Ferns Package, sold at bulk-discount pricing.
• Plant Subscriptions Recurring plant delivery service allowing customers to receive regular shipments of plants on a subscription basis.
• Bare Root Plants Dormant nursery-grown plants harvested and shipped without soil around roots, known for superior long-term root establishment compared to container plants.
• Ship Now Trees (Container Plants) Container-grown trees offered for fast shipping as an alternative to bare-root fulfillment for customers who need plants in active growth.
• Wholesale Plant Sales Bulk volume pricing channel at tennesseewholesalenursery.com for landscapers, restoration projects, and other large-volume buyers, supported by dedicated sales contacts.

Quantifiable outcome

• Free shipping on orders over $29 with 100% alive arrival guarantee
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Tennessee Department of TransportationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 January 2025The Tennessee Department of Transportation collaborates with TN Nursery on monarch butterfly conservation by distributing milkweed seeds to support habitat restoration along Tennessee roadways. This partnership supports TN Nursery's educational efforts around creating Monarch Butterfly Waystations.
• Discovery ChannelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDiscovery Channel has featured TN Nursery in their media coverage, providing brand credibility and exposure through their network.
• CNBC, ET NOW, INC42, and Other Media OutletsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVarious media outlets have covered TN Nursery, providing earned media exposure for brand awareness and credibility.
• Garden Bloggers and Content CreatorsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAffiliate program where bloggers and content creators place TN Nursery banners on their websites in exchange for free plants and gift cards. Partners must have 10,000+ monthly traffic.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Nature Hills Nursery: Large online D2C plant nursery offering trees, shrubs, perennials, and garden products shipped nationwide. Closely comparable business model, customer base (homeowners), and product breadth to TN Nursery, with similar e-commerce and shipping-led GTM.
• Fast Growing Trees: Online retailer specializing in trees and shrubs shipped directly to homeowners nationwide. Directly comparable product mix (trees, shrubs), direct-to-consumer e-commerce model, and bare-root/container shipping operations to TN Nursery.
• Spring Hill Nurseries: Mail-order nursery offering perennials, shrubs, trees, and bulbs to home gardeners. Long-standing catalog/online D2C model with similar homeowner target customer and seasonal plant offering.
• White Flower Farm: Mail-order nursery specializing in perennials, flowering plants, and garden gifts for home gardeners. Comparable curated catalog approach, premium positioning, and direct-to-consumer shipping model.
• Bluestone Perennials: Online mail-order perennial nursery offering a wide range of perennials and shrubs shipped directly to customers. Similar grower-direct D2C model with overlapping perennial and shrub SKUs.
• High Country Gardens: Specialty online nursery focused on native plants, waterwise, and pollinator-friendly perennials. Highly comparable assortment philosophy (native, drought-tolerant, pollinator plants) and D2C shipping model.
• Brecks: Long-established mail-order garden retailer offering bulbs, perennials, and plants to home gardeners. Comparable catalog-driven online nursery model with similar target customer.
• Michigan Bulb Company: Online mail-order garden retailer selling perennials, bulbs, shrubs, and trees at value pricing. Comparable budget-positioned D2C nursery serving the same homeowner/gardener customer base.
• Great Garden Plants: Online retailer of perennials, shrubs, and ornamental plants curated for home gardeners. Comparable curated-D2C plant e-commerce model with overlapping SKU categories.

Broad incumbents

• Burpee: Iconic, broad-scale garden brand selling seeds, plants, and garden supplies via D2C channels. Comparable end customer (home gardeners) but significantly larger, broader assortment including seeds where TN Nursery does not compete.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/tnnurseryco
• Facebookfacebook.com/tn.nursery

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about TN Nursery