Plants Under $20!

First, plants don’t know what you paid for them—growth rate, bloom time, and hardiness are biology, not price. Second, lower price points let gardeners test site conditions (sun, soil, drainage) with minimal financial risk; anything that fails becomes a $20 lesson, not a $60 disappointment. Third, purchasing several budget plants creates instant massing and weed suppression, benefits you’d forgo if you waited to buy one mature specimen later. By lowering investment per unit, the collection removes budget barriers, speeds learning, and yields fuller beds sooner—all before any premium upgrade is even considered.

Price reflects pot size and overstock cycles, not genetic vigor. Nurseries grade liners by height and root density, then shift them into progressively larger containers over time. When a production block produces more 1‑quart liners than forecast, the surplus moves to the under‑$20 tier to clear greenhouse space. You receive the same cultivar and the same nursery guarantee—just at an earlier growth stage. Given proper planting and care, these smaller starts typically catch up within one or two seasons, meaning you trade a brief establishment period for significant upfront savings without sacrificing long‑term landscape performance.

Focus on fast‑maturing, floriferous species: coreopsis, daylilies, salvia, and dwarf spirea push buds even when transplanted small. Their fibrous roots establish quickly in average soil, and they rebloom with minimal deadheading. For quick vertical interest, annual ornamental grasses like purple fountain grass reach full height in one summer, yet stay within budget. Choosing these “speed‑to‑color” performers ensures that novices see success—and enjoy visual reward—well before season’s end, reinforcing good care habits without complicated maintenance routines.

Start by grouping three to five of the same variety in triangular patterns; massing multiplies color impact and mimics the scale of larger shrubs. Layer heights—low groundcovers (creeping thyme), mid‑border bloomers (coneflowers), then taller accents (dwarf switchgrass)—to create depth without expensive statement pieces. Repeat one foliage color (silver or burgundy) across the bed to unify the mix. Finally, stagger bloom windows—spring bulbs paired with summer perennials and fall ornamental grasses—so the display evolves all season. This strategy uses quantity, repetition, and succession rather than high individual plant cost to achieve a polished, designer look.

Shipping fees are calculated by box size and weight, not plant price. Smaller pots often pack two or three per box, lowering freight per plant and helping you reach free‑shipping thresholds sooner. The 1‑year* Nature Hills product guarantee applies equally to every live plant, regardless of promotional pricing, provided you follow the planting and care guidelines supplied. Thus, buying under‑$20 items can actually reduce per‑plant shipping cost while still protecting your investment with the same health warranty enjoyed by full‑price purchases. (*Refer to current policy terms for exact coverage length.)