I love plant nursery tour videos on YouTube, particularly from nurseries located in my Zone 7B.

I will occasionally find inspiration for perennials, shrubs and trees I would like to purchase for my garden.

However, my local experience has been quite different.

When it comes to shopping for trees in the south, I feel like I am in a meme of “What you thought you were getting vs What you actually got.”

Southern nurseries on YouTube are the exception not the rule, of what you will really find at your local nursery.

If you visit your local nursery in the south, here are the trees you will actually find.

American Maple Trees

There are three maple trees you are sure to find at local nurseries in the south: October Glory Maple, Autumn Blaze Maple and Brandywine Red Maple.

I have the Autumn Blaze and the Brandywine Red Maple. I am sure in time, I will also purchase the October Glory because of the lack of options.

Don’t get me wrong, these maples, as with all maples, are iconic deciduous trees known for their foliage, with vibrant fall colors.

With over 100 species, maples vary widely in size, shape, and leaf characteristics.

Maples are also valued for their adaptability, thriving in a range of climates, and their utility as shade trees lining streets or specimens in landscapes.

It is a shame that with over 100 varieties, local nurseries in the south rarely offer more than these three.

Related: Popular Maple Shade Trees: Brandywine Red Maple

Magnolias

Magnolia trees are known for their large blossoms.

The iconic goblet-like flowers are shades of white, pink, or purple.

With over 200 species, magnolias are diverse, including deciduous and evergreen varieties.

Magnolias are also as southern as they come.

Evident by the notable Southern Magnolia, with its glossy evergreen leaves and sizable white blooms.

Local Nurseries that sell Magnolias always have Little Gem and Teddy Bear.

Crape Myrtle

With peeling bark and glossy green foliage, crape myrtles are a popular tree for gas stations and US highways in the south.

The bloom clusters of crinkled flowers come in a variety of colors, including shades of pink, purple, red, and white, depending on the variety.

However, the really interesting crape myrtles are sold as small shrubs, while it feels like the only mature tree form crape myrtle you will find in a nursery is the Natchez Crape Myrtle.

Natchez crape myrtle exhibits white flower clusters that gracefully drape its branches almost in a weeping habit during the summer months.

I get why it is very popular with its exfoliating bark, which peels away to reveal a beautiful red clay color.

Conifers

If you mention privacy screen, emerald green arborvitae and green giant arborvitae are the two conifers a landscaper will suggest, especially in the south.

I am at a loss on what to add to the conversation that has not already been said about emerald green and green giant.

They are both fast growers and the green giant is praised for being more deer resistant than the emerald green.

However, when I drive past homes with green giants for privacy screens, I scratch my head about how little privacy it actually offers the second story of these homes with its pronounced conical shape.

All I can say is there are so many conifers that are not getting their day in the (southern) sun.

Related: Perfect Unique Evergreen – The Blue Burkii Cedar

Final Thoughts

There is a long list of trees I wish were more readily available that include blue conifers, weeping conifers, plum trees and oak trees.

To be clear, I have found some of these trees in my area but there is a catch.

There are just two nurseries in my immediate area in North Alabama that offer true variety and judging by their prices, they are well aware of their unicorn status.