Nature Hills Nursery Review 2026: Trees, Shrubs and Perennials Shipped From a 1,000-Acre Midwest Nursery
Picture the corner of your yard that has looked bare for three summers. Now picture it next October: a young maple glowing scarlet by the fence, a row of round evergreens framing the path, a hydrangea still holding its last papery blooms. Getting there usually means a truck, a sold-out garden center and a lot of guessing.
Nature Hills Nursery takes the truck out of it. The company ships trees, shrubs, roses, perennials and fruit plants straight to your door, sorted by your USDA growing zone. We went through the catalog, prices and policies in October 2026 to see what you actually get, and how to order without overpaying.
From a Local Tree Shop to a Nationwide Nursery
According to its About page, Nature Hills began in 2001 when two brothers opened a local coniferous tree shop. They moved online to sell far more than evergreens. More than 25 years later, the company calls itself America's largest online plant nursery and lists thousands of items.
Two details matter more than size. Nature Hills says it ships directly from its own 1,000-acre nursery in the Midwest, plus a network of nursery-grade growing partners. And every plant is screened through Plant Sentry™, a program the brand describes as inspecting plants for invasive pests and diseases before they ship.
What Makes Shopping Here Different
- Zone-first shopping. Enter your ZIP code and the site sets your hardiness zone, then filters plants that suit it. It keeps you from falling for a plant that can't handle your winters.
- Real container sizes on every listing. You choose between quart pots, No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 and sometimes No. 5 or No. 7 containers, and many trees list a height range like 4-5 ft.
- Big-name plant brands in one place. The shop carries Knock Out® Roses, Endless Summer® Hydrangeas, First Editions®, Southern Living® Plants and its own Plants That Work® line.
- Whipper Snapper® trees. These are young, professionally grown shade and ornamental trees that ship in No. 2 or No. 3 containers at roughly 3 to 5 feet, light enough for one person to plant with a shovel and a hose.
- Free 45-day plant coverage on eligible plants, with your choice of a replacement, store credit or a refund (details below).
Shop the Nature Hills Nursery Highlights
Four plants that show the range, with the container sizes and prices we saw in October 2026.
Prices change often; the brand's site always shows the current price.
The Lineup: Pick Your Plant
| Plant | Size and price seen | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn Blaze® Maple | No. 3 container, 4-5 ft: $59.50 (was $119) | Anyone who wants a fast shade tree with red fall color |
| Black Gum Tree | No. 3 container: $97.90 | Native-plant fans who want fall color for wildlife yards |
| Bloodgood Japanese Maple | No. 3 container, 3-4 ft: $156.61 | A small, graceful focal tree near a patio or entry |
| Honeycrisp Apple Tree | No. 2, 3-4 ft: $89.99 / No. 5, 5-6 ft: $142.53 | Backyard fruit growers in zones 4-9 |
| Quick Fire® Panicle Hydrangea | No. 3 container: $81.75 | Gardeners who want the earliest panicle blooms of summer |
| Little Lime® Panicle Hydrangea | No. 1: $42.93 / No. 3: $85.75 / tree form: $123.88 | Smaller yards that still want big lime-to-pink flowers |
| Knock Out® Orange Glow™ Rose | Quart: $19.99 | Low-fuss rose lovers starting small |
| Pink Muhly Grass | Quart: $19.99 | Borders that need a pink haze in fall |
Buy the Autumn Blaze Maple if...
...you want shade and fall color fast and you like a deal. It was half price in Weekly Specials when we checked, and the listing describes it as a fast-growing shade tree that adapts to many soil types. At $59.50 for a 4-5 ft tree, it is an easy big-impact buy.
Buy the Bloodgood Japanese Maple if...
...you have one spot that everyone sees. It is a small, ornamental tree with deep red leaves, so you plant it where you'll look at it every day: by the front walk, outside the kitchen window, beside a water feature.
Buy a quart perennial if...
...you are filling a whole bed. Quarts start at $19.99, and mixing 12 of them takes 15% off and adds free shipping, so a full border costs far less than buying larger pots one by one.
See This Week's Nature Hills Specials →
Shipping, Coverage and the Fine Print
| Policy | What Nature Hills says |
|---|---|
| Shipping cost | $9.99 under $50; $14.99 for $50-$99.99; $16.99 for $100-$149.99; $24.99 for $150-$198.99; free at $199+ |
| Processing | Most orders ship within 3-5 business days, with tracking |
| Weather holds | Shipments may wait when temperatures are forecast below 32°F or above 95°F; you're notified of delays |
| Restrictions | No P.O. Boxes for live plants; some plants can't ship to certain states (shown at checkout) |
| Returns | Live plants can't be returned or refused because of agricultural rules; hard goods are final sale |
| 45-day plant coverage | If an eligible plant arrives damaged or dead, or fails to thrive because of a quality issue, you choose a free replacement (shipping covered), store credit that never expires, or a full refund |
| Late-season bonus | Plants delivered after October 15 stay covered through May 1 |
| How to claim | Email photos and your order number within 7 days of noticing the problem; nothing is shipped back |
The coverage has real limits: improper planting, weather extremes, pests or wildlife damage after planting and planting outside your zone aren't covered, and annuals, bulbs, grass plugs and hard goods aren't eligible. An optional paid upgrade extends coverage to one year, but its remedy is store credit plus free shipping on your next order, not a cash refund.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Huge selection filtered by your growing zone | Shipping is costly on small orders under $199 |
| Clear container sizes and height ranges | Live plants can't be returned |
| Free 45-day coverage with refund option | Claims must be reported within 7 days of noticing |
| Fall orders covered through May 1 | Weather can delay shipping |
| Weekly Specials and quart bundle savings | Some plants can't ship to every state |
| Plant Sentry™ screening before shipment | No public promo code |
Who Will Love Nature Hills Nursery?
- Fall planters who want late-season orders covered until spring.
- Privacy-hedge builders buying several arborvitae or hollies at once.
- Backyard fruit growers shopping apple trees, blueberries and dwarf raspberries.
- Bed fillers who can use a dozen quart perennials and the bundle discount.
How to Save
- Start in Weekly Specials. We saw the Autumn Blaze Maple at $59.50 (was $119) and Mr. Bowling Ball® Arborvitae at $46.25 (was $77.09).
- Mix quarts. 4 quarts take 5% off, 8 take 10%, and 12 take 15% plus free shipping, applied automatically.
- Plan one bigger order. Shipping is free from $199, so group the hedge, the tree and the perennials together.
- Order after mid-October if your zone allows it, so coverage runs through May 1.
- Check our deals page before you check out.
Nature Hills Nursery FAQ
Where does Nature Hills ship from?
The brand says it ships directly from its own 1,000-acre Midwest nursery and from vetted growing partners.
Can I return a plant I don't like?
No. Live plants can't be returned because of agricultural restrictions. Instead, eligible plants get the 45-day coverage for damage or quality problems.
How do I know a plant will survive my winters?
Enter your ZIP code to set your USDA hardiness zone, then shop plants listed for that zone. Plants outside your zone aren't covered.
What does "No. 3 container" mean?
It's a nursery pot size. Bigger numbers mean bigger pots and more mature plants; quarts are the smallest and least expensive option.
Our Verdict
Nature Hills Nursery works best for gardeners who plan: pick plants for your zone, build one order past $199, and lean on Weekly Specials and quart bundles. The 45-day coverage with a refund option, plus the October 15 to May 1 extension, makes fall the smart season to order. Check our Nature Hills Nursery deals page before you buy.
How we wrote this: YardTrialsLab researched Nature Hills Nursery using its official website, product listings, prices and policies in October 2026. We haven't personally tested these plants and we don't invent ratings or discount codes. We may earn a commission if you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you.