WHAT'S HOTKnock Out rosesEncore azaleasSunPatiensFerti-Lome Over-the-Top grass killerFountainsLarge shade treesTriple Action fungicide, miticide and insecticideDrought-tolerant perennialsBlueberry bushesFruit treesVegetablesSources: Tim Holcomb, Lloyd Reavis, Eric PainterSOME AREA BUSINESSESHolcomb Garden CenterHixson: 877-8782Fort Oglethorpe: 861-4769America's GardenRed Bank: 870-5000Varnell Nursery& LandscapingCleveland: 423-472-1842Green Thumb NurseryHixson: 842-3892The Barn NurseryChattanooga: 698-2276Signal Mountain NurserySignal Mountain: 886-3174ABOUT VARNELL NURSERYIn business: 110 yearsInventory: $260,000 inventory on five-acre campusOwner: Bendabout FarmSpecialties: balled and burlaped treesAddress: 3355 S. Lee Highway, McDonald, Tenn.Phone: 423-472-1842
Chattanooga-area homeowners are looking for green when it comes to flower beds, gardens and lawns.
Garden centers and nurseries say shoppers are buying shade trees to save on cooling costs, fruits and vegetables to reduce grocery bills and doing more of their own work around their yard.
"I think they're more doing it themselves rather than hiring it out," said Eric Painter, manager at Green Thumb Nursery in Hixson.
He said blueberry bushes, fruit trees and vegetables such as tomatoes, okra and squash have been popular sellers as people try to cut down their tabs at supermarkets.
"They're growing it themselves," Mr. Painter said. "They're trying to be more self-dependent."
Peppers and seed packs are selling at The Barn Nursery in Chattanooga.
"Vegetables are really hot this year," said Bill Suggs, general manager at The Barn. "If it comes from the backyard, you know it's fresh."
Near Cleveland, Tenn., people are coming into Varnell Nursery and Landscaping looking for big shade trees.
"We've sold more bigger trees this year than we ever have," said general manager Lloyd Reavis.
He theorized people are buying the trees to provide shade and keep their air conditioners off a little longer in the spring. He also said perennials, plants that come back every year, seem to be more popular this year.
"I think they'd rather just spend the money once," Mr. Reavis said. He mentioned daylilies, calla lilies and black-eyed Susan's as popular choices.
With all of the plants, home-owners seem to be working on their outdoor spaces rather than moving, according to Tim Holcomb, part owner of Holcomb Garden Centers in Fort Oglethorpe and Hixson.
Because of a slow housing market, people have either canceled plans to move and decided to improve their space or decided they need more curb appeal to sell in a tougher market.
"As people are staying put more," Mr. Holcomb said,"they're fixing up the home they have."
Mr. Reavis agreed. "We've been doing a lot of just helping people revamp the yards they've already got," he said. "I think that people are trying to invest a little into their yard."