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Protecting You, Your Plants, Your House and The World

Protecting You, Your Plants, Your House and The World - Nature Hills Nursery

Charlotte Weidner |

Nature Hills Nursery is committed to ensuring you and your purchase, your home, and the environment are protected every step of the way!

Nature Hills is working with the 48 states that we ship to, that way we are only shipping plants that comply with each state’s regulations. We are the only online company that has developed our own software protection preventing shipments of plants that are invasive or prohibited because of insects or diseases!

Nature Hills has taken the initiative to step out in front of this problem! We stay continuously current with all new regulations as they change. This makes Nature Hills one of the only companies to remain fully compliant.

Protecting You & Your Investment

Pruning

Plus we back up our products with expert aftercare support and helpful advice in our #ProPlantTips Garden Blog to give you as much information at your fingertips to make your landscape a winner!

We pride ourselves in presenting plant details with excellent accuracy and in great detail! From ensuring the proper nomenclature to the accuracy of plant facts, to how to best care for your plants. Our #ProPlantTips also offers accurate details about care, pruning, and any other details and secrets of each plant that we sell.

Choosing The Right Plant For The Right Spot

Nature Hills’ attention to detail for all the plants that we sell helps you select the right plant for your landscape. Get to know these few details before you start your plant selection, and your choices will work well for you!

Your hardiness zone is easily found by entering your zip code on our website and that is a great place to start. Then read the plant facts listed on each page of the plants that most catch your eye so you know the mature size, whether they like sun or shade, and any specific tips to keep it happy. Check out these few simple details as you search.

  • Know your Hardiness Zone - Find it here!
  • Know how much sun or shade the area you are planting in has
  • Knowing the drainage for that area (poor, soggy, fast-draining, average)
  • Know how much room you have - Remember to look at the mature height and width!
  • Anticipate other plant’s growth around the area of your new plant
  • Check with your local County Extension Office for helpful information
Choosing The Right Plant For The Right Spot

Hot New Plants - Always Something Unique!

Nature Hills has some excellent production people who are always searching for anything new to add to our lineup! Everyone always wants to know what is new, different, and unusual.

SmokeShow™KousaDogwood

We even have 2 new selections EXCLUSIVE to Nature Hills Nursery!

  1. Consider SmokeShow™ Kousa Dogwood Tree For Sale at NatureHills.com for a new plant with unique purple foliage coloration that no one else has.
  2. Another Nature Hills exclusive gotta-have: The French Manicure Hydrangea Exclusively at NatureHills.com pumping out an incredible flower display that remains showy from late spring through winter.

Amazing new selections are being added all of the time! New plants that offer a different form, smaller in stature plants with longer flowering, some that are sterile so they won’t escape into the landscape.

Protecting Your Environment

Nature Hills sells plants across the continental US, which has its challenges. We work with every state department of agriculture to ensure that we are completely up to date with all restrictions as each state changes and updates its compliance. We have eliminated the sale of Invasive or diseased plants across America.

Planting

Nature Hills has a full-time compliance officer, and we have also signed up with an advanced software company called Plant Sentry™ to keep tabs on every State’s restrictions. We can quickly stay current with all state and federal restrictions so you are not even able to purchase any plant that your state has restricted or prohibited. Our goal is to prevent the movement of invasive plants, insects, or disease problems.

Remember, that you may see plants on our website that are invasive in your area, but they may not be problems elsewhere.

As the states modify and update their lists of prohibited or restricted plants, we immediately update these changes. Plant Sentry™ ensures that we only ship plant materials to your home that are clean, vibrant, and disease-free, and are not invasive in your area.

Have Peace of Mind When You Choose Plants from Nature Hills!

What it takes to combat invasive plants and pests is staggering, not to mention its economic impact, and the effect on wildlife and local pollinators. It’s simply not worth the risk!

The shipment of potentially harmful, infested, or invasive plants has brought about large-scale issues such as Dutch Elm Disease, Bronze Birch Borer, and the nematodes that cause Pine Wilt Disease. More recently, there are issues such as Citrus Tristeza Virus, Emerald Ash Tree Borers, and Spotted Lanternfly that are threatening many areas of the country and devastating large areas of affected plant life.

We’ve taken the lessons hard learned from these widespread problems and put into motion stringent efforts to help prevent more issues from spreading. Nature Hills has taken the initiative to step out in front of this problem with Plant Sentry™ software. Ensuring every shipment is compliant with all agricultural laws and regulations.

Because we're protected with Plant Sentry™, we are able to concentrate our energy on our production areas. We grow super-quality plants and ship them in boxes that are engineered to ensure that your plants arrive in excellent condition. We also watch the weather and temperature before and during shipment to ensure your plant arrives safely and is not heat or cold-stressed. Hurricanes, wildfires, heat waves, and snap chills may delay your shipment, but Nature Hills is committed to ensuring you receive a healthy plant regardless of what Ma Nature is throwing at you!

We take pride in knowing that we are doing our best to guarantee the plants we ship are compliant with your state and ensure you receive a quality, healthy product that will give you and your family years of enjoyment! While protecting environments, wildlife, pollinators, and you!

Safe Planting!

Plant Sentry
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Frequently Asked Questions

Where does Nature Hills Nursery ship plants from, and which states do they deliver to?

Nature Hills Nursery ships plants to 48 states across the continental United States. Every shipment is fully compliant with individual state regulations, thanks to proprietary software that prevents the shipment of invasive or prohibited plants based on each state's specific rules. To find out if your state is included and to explore plants suited to your location, simply enter your zip code on the Nature Hills website to get started.

What happens if you accidentally order an invasive plant through an online nursery?

If you order from a less diligent online nursery, invasive or prohibited plants may ship to your state, creating legal issues for you and potential ecological damage to your local environment. Nature Hills has developed proprietary software that automatically prevents shipments of invasive or state-prohibited plants before an order ever goes out, keeping you fully compliant with your state's regulations. To avoid this problem entirely, shop with a nursery that stays continuously current with all 48 states' shipping regulations and has systems in place to enforce them.

How do I tell the difference between overwatering and underwatering in my garden plants?

Overwatered plants typically show yellowing leaves, mushy stems, and soggy soil at the root zone, while underwatered plants display wilting, dry or crispy leaf edges, and soil that pulls away from the pot or container edges. The simplest diagnostic is to push your finger about two inches into the soil near the root zone. If it feels wet and cool, hold off on watering, but if it feels dry and crumbly, it is time to water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom. Check your plants in the morning when temperatures are cooler, since afternoon wilting can be a heat response rather than a true sign of drought stress.

What type of soil works best for most home garden plants?

Most home garden plants thrive in well-draining soil with average moisture retention and a slightly acidic to neutral pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Soggy or compacted soil is one of the most common causes of plant failure, so always assess your drainage before planting. Amend heavy clay soils with compost or organic matter to improve drainage, and add compost to sandy soils to help retain moisture. Check the specific soil preferences listed on each plant's page at naturehills.com, and consult your local County Extension Office for region-specific soil testing and amendment recommendations.

How do I improve poor or compacted soil before planting new trees, shrubs, or perennials?

Before planting trees, shrubs, or perennials, loosen compacted soil to a depth of at least 12 to 18 inches and work in 2 to 4 inches of compost, aged manure, or other organic matter to improve drainage and root penetration. For heavy clay soils, adding coarse perlite or gritty sand along with the compost helps break up dense structure, while sandy soils benefit most from compost alone to boost water and nutrient retention. Visit our ProPlantTips Garden Blog for plant-specific soil preparation advice, and check with your local County Extension Office for region-specific recommendations tailored to your hardiness zone.

How do I choose plants that are safe, non-invasive, and well-suited to my local climate?

Nature Hills has developed proprietary software that automatically prevents shipments of invasive or prohibited plants to your state, so every plant you order is already vetted for your region. To fine-tune your selection further, look up your USDA Hardiness Zone by entering your zip code on our website, then cross-reference each plant's listed mature size, sun requirements, and drainage preferences against your specific planting site. For additional local guidance, contact your County Extension Office, which can provide region-specific recommendations to help you make the most informed choice possible.

How do I keep deer, rabbits, and other animals from damaging my garden plants?

Protecting your plants from deer, rabbits, and other wildlife starts with choosing naturally resistant varieties and using physical deterrents like fencing at least 8 feet tall for deer or 2-foot buried wire mesh for burrowing animals like rabbits. Applying repellent sprays consistently, especially after rainfall or new plant growth in spring, adds another layer of defense. Visit our ProPlantTips Garden Blog for plant-specific advice on deterring wildlife, and check with your local County Extension Office for recommendations tailored to the animals most common in your area.

How do I apply mulch correctly, and how much do I need to protect my plants and soil?

Apply mulch in a 2 to 3 inch layer around your plants, keeping it pulled back about 2 to 3 inches from the base of stems and tree trunks to prevent rot and pest issues. Too little mulch fails to suppress weeds and retain moisture, while piling it too deep can suffocate roots and invite disease. The best time to mulch is spring after the soil warms and again in fall to insulate roots heading into winter. Visit our ProPlantTips Garden Blog for plant-specific mulching advice, and check with your local County Extension Office for recommendations on the best mulch types for your region.

How do I successfully start seeds indoors before the growing season begins?

Starting seeds indoors typically begins 6 to 8 weeks before your last expected frost date, which you can determine by entering your zip code to find your hardiness zone at naturehills.com. Use a quality seed-starting mix, sow seeds at the depth specified on the packet, and maintain soil temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal germination. Provide 14 to 16 hours of light daily using grow lights positioned 2 to 3 inches above seedlings to prevent leggy growth. Check our ProPlantTips Garden Blog for crop-specific guidance on watering, fertilizing, and hardening off seedlings before transplanting them outdoors.

How do I design a healthy landscape that stays low-maintenance and safe for people, pets, and the environment?

Start by knowing your USDA Hardiness Zone, available instantly by entering your zip code on naturehills.com, then match plants to your specific sun exposure, soil drainage, and available space by reviewing each plant's mature height and width before purchasing. Nature Hills only ships plants that comply with state regulations and has developed proprietary software to prevent shipments of invasive or disease-carrying plants, so you can shop with confidence knowing your selections are safe for your region. Browse the Nature Hills ProPlantTips Garden Blog for expert guidance on care, pruning, and plant-specific tips that will keep your landscape thriving with minimal effort.