It will be the plants we use in our own gardens that determine what nature will be like in 50 years. - Douglas Tallamy
Our mission is to provide the plants that will help you create spaces that nourish your spirit, mind, and body, and have a positive impact on our fragile planet.
Click below to access plant lists for 2025 (TOMATOES PEPPERS AND HERBS HAVE NOT BEEN UPDATED YET)
native WIldflowers
Ferns
native shrubs and trees
Native Grasses
Herbs
heirloom Tomatoes
Hot, Sweet and specialty Peppers
PLEASE NOTE; Pricing and sizes of plants are to be determined, and availability is subject to crop failure and other factors and these lists may not be up to date all the time. These lists may also be incomplete. Please ask if you are looking for something in particular.
Environmentally conscious growers since 2001, Shy Valley Farm offers a delightful assortment of herbs, heirloom and gourmet vegetable starts, and nursery propagated native plants. Owned and operated by the Shivell Family: Philip, Christy, Creighton, Helen, and Rachael, we also provide handcrafted pottery, soaps, and floral designs..
Our nursery focuses on wildlife friendly, low maintenance, and useful native plants, herbs, and heirloom tomatoes. We have a great assortment of plants for edible landscaping, habitat gardens, and restorative landscaping. We are just starting to put together an index of our plants here. Our favorite plants look beautiful, smell amazing, taste great, and contribute to our health and the health of our environment in some significant way. All of our plants are produced via eco friendly methods without chemical pesticides, recycling pots as long as possible, and shifting toward peat free growing media. We grow many of our plants from seeds or genetic material gleaned from regional populations, as part of our ongoing effort to preserve and promote the biodiversity of our local and regional flora and fauna. We have a great core of loyal and appreciative customers who come from all over to purchase our plants, and who we appreciate very much. You make all our hard work worthwhile! We have been growing and selling plants every year since 1995, when we were starting pepper and tomato starts under lights in our 200 plus year old cabin! Our nursery officially became a business in 2001, and we have operated every year since.
Note: All photos in the gallery below copyright Christy Shivell, with the exception of the lovely Serviceberry photo which was captured by Mary Silver and is used with his permission. All photos in the plant index by Christy Shivell unless otherwise noted.
Phone
(423) 348-6570 or
423-276-3725
Location
315 Ridge Road, Fall Branch, TN 37656 (Not accessible when we are not open, please call, text, or check schedule. If you arrive at the nursery and the gate is closed please do not exit your vehicle or attempt to open or go around the gate. If the gate is open but you are there outside our posted hours, without an appointment, please Text 423/348-6570 or 423-276-1668) before driving past the gate.)
Please leave your pets at home or in your vehicle. Our ducks thank you!
Hours
We will reopen for spring April 3. Hours will generally be Wednesday-Saturday 10-2. Check here, social media, or our newsletter for updates re closures, special events, or extended hours..
You may place an order for pick up anytime by texting 423/348-6570
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram at Shy Valley Farm.
shyvalley@aol.com
We greatly appreciate your business, but please call or text before coming to see us unless you are visiting during posted hours.
Visit the Farm
Welcome to Shy Valley! We look forward to your visit with us.
The nursery reopens April 3, 2025 for our 24th season. Hours will be 10-2 Wednesday -Saturday, starting Thursday April 3 and running through early June. We are planning a few special events which will be announced here and on social media and in our newsletter. If you would like to schedule a visit outside our regular operating hours for yourself or for a group, please text 423/348-6570.
Dogs must remain in your vehicle for their safety and the safety of our ducks and chickens.
We accept cash, check, and credit cards (with a 3% processing fee). We do not accept PAYPAL.
Currently, there are no public restrooms on site.
When you arrive at 315 Ridge Road, please follow the gravel driveway straight back and around the greenhouses and back up to our parking area. Large trucks please park in other designated parking spots.
The nursery may close due to inclement weather. If the forecast is grim, please check social media or text before heading our way. 423/348-6570.
Please do not visit outside operating hours without an appointment. Our family members and volunteers often work alone in the nursery, and our several large dogs keep us company. We all get startled when someone rolls through the gate unannounced. An open gate does not mean the nursery is open. Please adhere to signage for your safety, and the safety of us, our volunteers, and our pets. Thank you.
Educational Materials for gardening in the Appalachian Highlands region
Below is a list of topics of interest to many of our customers. If you click on the topic, a new window will open with a printable PDF file for your non-commercial use. Feel free to print and copy these files for educational purposes. Please do not alter the content in any way, and leave our contact information intact and visible when you reproduce these materials in any format.
If you need further assistance, we would be happy to help you in planning your next garden project.
Native Plants and Herbs for Bees, Butterflies, and Hummingbirds
Native Plants for Rain Gardens
Inviting Fireflies to Your Landscape
Attracting Hummingbirds to East Tennessee Gardens
Super Simple Pollinator Garden
Growing Culinary Herbs in East Tennessee Gardens
Scented Geranium Care and Recipes
Cocktail Herb Recipes and TIps
Favorite Herbs Grouped by Size
Getting to Know and Grow Garlic
Growing Peonies in the Mountain Empire
Growing and Using Figs, including Recipes and links
Terrarium and Moss Garden Care Instructions
Tomato Growing Tips for East Tennessee Gardeners