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Nature Hills Plant Size Guide

Understanding Plant Options

Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:

  • Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
  • Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements

Container Plant Sizes

Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.

Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)

Container Size Actual Volume Metric Equivalent
2" x 2" x 3" 0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts 0.20 - 0.23 dry liters
4" Container 0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts 0.35 - 0.96 dry liters
4.5" Container 0.65 dry quarts 0.72 dry liters
6" Container 1.4 dry quarts 1.59 dry liters
1 Quart 1 dry quart 1.1 dry liters
5.5" Container 1.89 dry quarts 2.08 dry liters

Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)

Container Size Actual Volume Metric Equivalent
2 Quart 2 dry quarts 2.2 dry liters
#1 Container 2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts 2.49 - 4.11 dry liters
5" x 5" x 12" 3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts 3.85 - 4.74 dry liters

Mature Plants (2-4 years old)

Container Size Actual Volume Metric Equivalent
#2 Container 1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons 5.24 - 7.75 dry liters
#3 Container 2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons 8.14 - 12.16 dry liters

Large Plants (3-5 years old)

Container Size Actual Volume Metric Equivalent
#5 Container 2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons 12.86 - 20.35 dry liters
#6 Container 5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons 23.12 - 26.42 dry liters
#7 Container 5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons 26.34 - 28.76 dry liters

Bare Root Plants

Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.

Common Sizes:

  • Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
  • Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet

Important Notes

Container Volume Specifications

  • Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
  • Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
  • Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents

Growing Conditions

  • Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
  • Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
  • Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment

Seasonal Availability

  • Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
  • Container plants are available throughout the growing season
  • Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes

Questions?

For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.