Plants We're Thankful For | Nature Hills Nursery

This Thanksgiving, we've decided to have a little fun! Shopping at NatureHills.com means dreaming about, selecting, growing and loving on beautiful plants of all shapes, sizes and "superpowers".

Since 2001, we've shipped high-quality landscape plants shipped right to your doorstep when the weather is right for planting. As a family-owned small business, it's been an honor to provide this service.

We truly appreciate our customers across this magnificent country of ours! Let us go the extra mile to delight you.

Just like our children, it's almost impossible to choose a "favorite" plant. So we decided to focus instead on broad categories of plants from our extensive online plant catalog.

We Couldn't Live Without You, Fruiting Plants

People are investing in fruiting plants more than ever before. In fact, it's hard to keep our limited inventory in stock...place your order right away.

Fruit bushes and trees offer so much to home gardeners in an incredibly giving way. Spring blooms turn into a baby fruit set and grow larger in a very compelling display.

Who would ever guess you'd gather with family and friends around a tree? It's so fun to watch the development over the season, then harvest and prepare your own homegrown food.

There is nothing as luscious as plucking tree-ripe fruit you grew yourself. Sunshine, good soil, water, air circulation and a little care is repaid a hundredfold with your bounty.

Don't forget about Asparagus and Tomatoes growing in a sunny spot. Add Garlic bulbs and other Herbs to savor the flavor!

Roses, We've Been Together So Long & It Just Keeps Getting Better

There is nothing quite so spectacular as you, dear Rose. We even tolerate your thorns, because they help protect your exquisite blooms.

Humankind has loved Roses since the age of ancient Egypt. They are living aromatherapy, and the blooms come in so many different colors and flower forms.

Modern Roses are the result of careful hybridization by expert plant scientists. Come shop our huge collection of high-quality Rose bushes and tree-form Roses you'll be proud to grow.

We're thankful Landscape Shrub Roses and Floribundas offer such durability and ease of care. Modern Hybrid Tea Roses and Grandifloras are "unfussy" rebloomers and just a snap to grow with clean, disease-resistant foliage.

Welcome To Our Family, Houseplants!

Whether you prefer perky plants or have a flair for the dramatic...Houseplants deserve hearty gratitude. They become part of the family, after all!

Just getting started as a plant owner, or have been collecting Houseplants for years? We have a tempting collection to shop, and our plants are very high-quality with well-developed root systems.

Consider your indoor light conditions from low light to bright light. Don't be afraid to add our pro-grade grow lights to supplement.

When in doubt which one you should order...get them both. A happy home is filled with plants...call it air purification and treat yourself.

We're So Happy That Privacy Plants Are In Our Life

Plants with densely-held branches and thick foliage might reach tall, or spread wide. Valuable Privacy Plants help you enjoy your outdoor spaces a lot more!

NatureHills.com can help...whether you go with flowering plants like petite Magnolia, Lilacs or Rose of Sharon; or prefer steady evergreens. Did you know you can filter your results on our site by the growth rate, height, spread and even sun condition?

Screen a neighbor with a combination of hardscape trellis and extravagant vines like Climbing Hydrangea, Trumpet Vine, or Boston Ivy. You won't need much space from front to back...a big boon in small space gardens.

We Can Really Count On Evergreen Trees

A time-tested garden design rule of thumb suggests you select evergreens for one-third of your landscape plants! We are so thankful for the easy grace of Deodar Cedar trees and the symmetry of Spruce.

Conifer trees become living Christmas trees, while broad-leaved Privet, Cherry Laurel and Bay Laurel make elegant hedges. Their year-round color adds both structure and style to your landscape.

Scent your landscape with Lodgepole Pine; or make people smile with a waddling Green Penguin Dwarf Scots Pine. Be sure to study both our Evergreen Trees and our Evergreen Shrubs to find your favorites!

Think Big Picture With Wildlife Plants

Follow your dreams and turn your landscape into a refuge for the smallest creatures in your neighborhood. You'll find just the right host plants; nectar-rich flowering plants and stalwart sheltering evergreens at NatureHills.com.

Red-Twigged Dogwoods grow quickly to provide welcome screening; these pollinator-favorites produce showy, white blooms. Of course, you'll be thrilled by the bright red young twigs in winter.

Viburnums grow fast and are truly four-season shrubs with blooms, attractive foliage, form and showy berries for birds. These sophisticated shrubs come in a variety of sizes and some, like Forest Rouge Viburnum, offer jaw-droppingly bold fall color.

Whatever your choice, you can feel great about your choice to shop for plants responsibly with NatureHills.com. Here's why:

We partner with the ecological visionaries at the Greenspace Guardians, Plant Sentry™.
The shipping system helps us abide by all the federal and state regulations
It uses your Zip Code to check the Plant Sentry database and block the shipment of potentially invasive plant materials into your local microclimate in all 48 continental states.
NatureHlls.com is thankful and proud to be the first online nursery to sign up with them!

Life Just Wouldn't Be The Same Without Fall Color Plants

We give thanks for the bright blue sky overhead and the magnificent giving ground below our feet. No matter where you live, there is always room for wildlife-friendly plants!

Look for opportunities to make the most out of those welcome cool temperatures of fall. Layer brilliant tones of Red Maple, Sweetgum and Sassafras trees in a park-like setting around an outdoor entertainment area.

Don't forget to include fiery hues in the midground. Native Sumac, Sweetspire and Aronia Chokeberry are all durable shrubs that offer an incredible fall color display.

Ornamental Grasses are at their best in the long, temperate days of fall. They sway in the breeze and catch the sunset...leave them standing for winter and gain natural birdseed!

Late-blooming perennials like Aster and Sedum only get started in the last gasp of summer. Try Rozanne Hardy Geranium groundcover for blue-hued blooms from spring all the way through fall!

Who Did We Miss? We Can't Forget About These Plants!

Scintillating Japanese Maple Trees might just be the perfect accent tree.
Hydrangeas always look like a million dollars in mixed borders and garden containers and to create professional cut flower arrangements, too! NatureHills.com has a massive selection of all the hottest cultivars.
Easy-care Hosta perennials thrive in shade and their big, textured leaves collect pretty raindrops into mini reflecting pools.
Weeping Trees tell a twisting, turning Garden Story year after year.
Specialty Tree-Form plants turn popular shrubs into eye-height focal points. Stop to smell those gorgeous blooms at your entryway!

What's YOUR favorite plant? Drop us a comment on our facebook!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which creeping phlox varieties have the longest bloom season, and how can you extend their color into summer?

Creeping phlox varieties like 'Emerald Blue' and 'Candy Stripe' tend to offer the most reliable and extended bloom periods, typically flowering for four to six weeks in spring from March through May depending on your climate zone. To stretch color into early summer, deadhead spent blooms promptly and choose later-blooming varieties like 'Purple Beauty' to sequence your planting. Growing creeping phlox in zones 3 through 9 in well-drained soil with full sun will encourage the strongest and longest floral display. For maximum seasonal interest, pair early-blooming varieties with later perennials that can carry the color baton once phlox finishes its show.

Which fruiting shrubs are easiest to grow at home for a backyard harvest?

Blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries are among the easiest fruiting shrubs to grow at home, thriving in a wide range of climates across USDA zones 3 through 9 depending on the variety. Blueberries prefer acidic soil with a pH between 4.5 and 5.5, while blackberries and raspberries are remarkably adaptable and can produce fruit within the first or second year after planting. Browse the fruiting plant collection at NatureHills.com, check the zone compatibility for your area, and place your order early since inventory sells out fast.

What are the most rewarding plants to grow if you want something that comes back year after year?

Perennial fruiting plants offer some of the most rewarding long-term returns in the garden, with asparagus producing harvests for 20 years or more once established, and fruit trees and berry bushes reliably delivering crops season after season. Landscape shrub roses and floribundas are another excellent choice, offering disease-resistant foliage and repeat blooms throughout the growing season with minimal fuss. For the best results, match your selections to your USDA hardiness zone and order early since high-demand plants like fruiting trees and shrubs sell out quickly at Nature Hills Nursery.

Which USDA hardiness zones support the widest variety of garden plants for year-round interest?

Gardeners in USDA Hardiness Zones 6 through 9 enjoy the greatest diversity of plants for year-round interest, as these zones support a broad mix of fruiting trees, roses, shrubs, perennials, and ornamentals without the extremes that limit plant selection in colder or hotter regions. Zone 7 is often considered the sweet spot, offering mild winters that rarely dip below 0°F and long growing seasons that allow multiple bloom cycles from reblooming roses and fruiting plants alike. If you garden in Zones 5 or below, focus on cold-hardy fruiting plants, landscape shrub roses, and proven perennials to maximize seasonal interest. Visit NatureHills.com, filter by your specific zone, and build a planting plan that layers spring bloomers, summer fruiting plants, and fall-interest shrubs for a garden that delivers something beautiful in every season.

How much sun do most flowering garden plants need to thrive throughout the growing season?

Most flowering garden plants perform best with a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight per day, which is the standard definition of a "full sun" location. Some flowering plants, like roses and fruiting trees, truly thrive with 8 or more hours of sun daily to support healthy blooms and strong growth. Check each plant's specific light requirements before placing it in your landscape, and observe how sunlight moves across your yard throughout the day to identify your sunniest spots. Matching the right plant to the right light condition is one of the most important steps you can take toward a thriving, beautiful garden.

What type of soil preparation gives new garden plants the best start in the ground?

Good soil preparation is the foundation of plant success. Work the planting area to a depth of at least 12 to 18 inches, breaking up compaction and removing rocks or debris, then blend in generous amounts of compost or aged organic matter to improve drainage, aeration, and nutrient availability. A soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0 suits most landscape plants, so test your soil before planting and amend accordingly with lime or sulfur. Finish by backfilling with your amended native soil, water thoroughly to settle air pockets, and apply 2 to 3 inches of mulch over the root zone to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.

How often should you water newly planted shrubs, perennials, and trees to help them establish?

Newly planted shrubs, perennials, and trees need consistent moisture during their first growing season to develop strong root systems. Water deeply two to three times per week for the first month, then taper to once or twice weekly through the remainder of the season, ensuring the root zone receives about an inch of water each time. In hotter climates like USDA zones 7 through 10, you may need to water more frequently during peak summer heat to prevent stress. Always check soil moisture a few inches below the surface before watering, and apply a 2 to 3 inch layer of mulch around the base to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.

When is the best time of year to plant trees, shrubs, and perennials for strong root development?

The best time to plant trees, shrubs, and perennials is during fall or early spring, when cooler temperatures and reliable rainfall allow roots to establish without the stress of summer heat. Fall planting is especially effective because the soil stays warm enough for root growth even as air temperatures drop, giving plants a head start before winter dormancy. Spring planting works well too, ideally four to six weeks before your last frost date, so roots can anchor before the growing season kicks into high gear. Visit NatureHills.com to find plants suited to your hardiness zone and take advantage of their seasonal shipping schedule, which delivers plants right to your door at the optimal time for planting in your region.

Should you grow new garden plants from seed, cuttings, or nursery transplants for the fastest results?

For the fastest results, nursery transplants win hands down, as they arrive with an established root system and often weeks or months of growth already behind them. Growing from seed can take an entire season or more before you see meaningful results, and cuttings require propagation time and skill to root successfully. Nature Hills ships high-quality, field-grown plants at the ideal time for your region, so you skip the slowest stages of plant development entirely. Order your transplants now and get them in the ground as soon as they arrive for the strongest start possible.

How far apart should you space plants in a garden bed to allow healthy growth without overcrowding?

Spacing depends on the mature size of each plant, so always check the plant tag or product description before digging. Most perennials do well spaced 18 to 24 inches apart, shrubs generally need 3 to 6 feet depending on their spread, and trees should be placed with their full canopy width in mind. Crowding plants invites poor air circulation, disease, and competition for nutrients. Visit the individual plant pages at NatureHills.com for variety-specific spacing recommendations and plan your bed accordingly before you plant.

Dear Plants, We're Thankful For You!