Before your fire up your weed eaters and trimmers and rampage through your yard cutting down and removing everything in sight this fall, stop! Take a step back. It’s time to reconsider your winter clean up protocol.  Let’s take a look and change your perspective to see your winter landscape in a new way. You don’t need to cut everything down. Do you have any perennials or other plants that may offer winter interest if you left them untrimmed until after winter? What Does Your Landscape Look Like in Winter? Evergreens, ornamental grasses and hydrangeas definitely offer winter interest. Perennials can also add interest to the winter landscape, so don’t be too quick to cut them down. Study shapes, colors and form. Not all dormant regions get dumped with snow. Some regions have lighter snowfalls that can highlight and sculpt the snow, creating something pretty to look at on those cold winter days. Do you have plants with berries or seed heads that remain on the plants? They not only look great but provide food for birds and other wildlife. Leaving last year’s growth also gives songbirds a place to snuggle in for some protection from the cold and wind. The tops of the perennials catch the snow to insulate the ground over the top of the plants. Leaving some of your natives and perennials up for the winter gives the beneficial insects a place to overwinter. If you simply cut your perennial garden down to the ground in fall, you don’t have much to look at, no way to catch the blowing snow, no cover for songbirds and wildlife, no place for beneficial insects, and no seed heads left to feed the birds. Vegetable Plants, Annuals and Peonies Should Be Removed Did you know viruses can overwinter on the leaves and stems of vegetables and annual plants that only live a single season? For veggies and annuals plants, dig up and remove the entire plant to lessen the risk of disease and improve sanitation. Compost them or put them in your Yard Waste containers. One perennial that does need to be trimmed down early fall of each year are Peonies. Peonies can get mildew and botrytis. Cut every Peony stem to the ground and bag them up for removal. This can eliminate the carryover of the problems that might re-infect the plants the following spring. Also remove any perennials that had leaf spotting, mildew or disease problems of any kind. Cut them down to the ground after the frost has killed off the tops of the plants, bag them up and remove them from your yard for best sanitation practices. Remember, you don’t have to cut all of your perennials down to the ground each fall, just any one that showed some problems this past growing season. Rose Care in Autumn It is very important to leave your rose bushes untrimmed for the winter months. Do not cut your roses until spring! Rose bushes left untrimmed may have rose hips that are showy all winter long and if not, the branches will catch the snow and add insulation to your rose plant. Roses love to have additional insulation in colder regions The old fashioned method of overwintering roses was to cover them with rose cones. Today the easiest method is to pile on a mound of shredded hardwood mulch about a foot high directly on the stems of the plants. In spring pull the mulch away and THEN cut them in the spring. Using this method, if there was some winter damage, you will cut and remove it. Flowering Shrub Care in Autumn Know the best time to prune your shrubs. Don’t trim the plants which bloom on last . Do not trim these shrubs in the fall: Flowering Quince, Forsythia, Rhododendrons & Azaleas, Prunus family, Weigela, all Lilacs and Magnolias. Wait until after they bloom in spring. Wait to trim until after the flowers fade. A Better Way to Handle Leaves in Fall Remember how we used to bag leaves them up and put them in the trash? What a chore that was! There is a better way. Leaves on the grass should be mowed over, shredding them so they don’t mat and cover the grass. Keep mowing your grass until the leaves are chewed up and shredded. Compost them after shredding or used them as mulch around your garden. Put those leaves to good use! Watering in Fall Lastly, don’t forget to keep giving all of your newly planted trees and shrubs a good drink of water right up until they go dormant. Evergreens give off water all winter long so if you are in an area where the ground freezes up, be sure to water the roots well until the ground does freeze for best results. Following the tips listed above should assist you preparing your yard for a restful winter season, ready and waiting for you in the spring. Enjoy your winter garden!

  Have you spied the hottest new garden design trend in your neighborhood? It’s time to start changing out your container gardens to reflect the beauty of each season! Transforming container gardens at your front door and your patio is easy and fun. Use featured, seasonal plant materials to help you celebrate every season at your home. Seasonal Container Gardens Make Beautiful Memories A few weeks ago, we gave you easy tips and tricks for the latest trends in container gardens for the height of the summer season. How have your container gardens weathered the summer? Perhaps it’s time to do a bit of freshening up of your pots. Some annuals outgrow their space, leaving leggy growth with fewer leaves and limited flowering. Now is the time to start popping some of your tired plants out of your containers. Fill back in with flowering kale, mums and asters, ornamental grasses, fresh pansies, alyssum or ornamental peppers. These are all excellent choices! Don't be afraid to use perennials in your containers. Nestle wild-looking gourds and jazzy pumpkins into the design and placed at the base of your containers for a welcome autumn transformation. Fun Fall House Decor For fall decorations, place pumpkins in a hanging basket. Paint a series of pumpkins with blackboard chalk, then use white paint to spell out a welcoming message that visitors will read as they head towards your door. Paint the stems of your pumpkins with exterior gold paint to add a bit of bling. Start scouring garage sales to upcycle old garden tools, such as rakes, shovels or hand cultivators. Tie a funky collection together with burlap ribbon and place it next to your fall containers. We’ve even seen old ironing boards, wheelbarrows and ladders used to create a very effective fall display. Have fun decorating for this short season! Use tiny trees in seasonal containers both inside and out. Check out the web and around town for fantastic ideas to springboard from and make them your own. Enjoy! Try Using Live Trees as Living Seasonal Décor Nature Hills has something special for your home this year. We’ve taken popular evergreens like junipers, hollies and spruce trees and expertly trimmed them into specialty topiary forms. What incredible living decorations you’ll love from fall all the way through winter! Now is the time to try those elegant spiral forms, spirited pom poms or festive pyramidal forms to highlight the beauty of the season at your home. Dress them up for each holiday! .blogBuy{ -webkit-border-radius: 4px; -moz-border-radius: 4px; border-radius: 4px; border: solid 1px rgb(85, 6, 6); text-shadow: 0 -1px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4); -webkit-box-shadow: inset 0 1px 0 rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.4), 0 1px 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); -moz-box-shadow: inset 0 1px 0 rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.4), 0 1px 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); box-shadow: inset 0 1px 0 rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.4), 0 1px 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); background: rgb(167, 4, 4); color: #FFF !important; padding: 8px 12px; text-decoration: none; } .blogList > li{ margin-bottom: .3em; } .blogListCaption{ text-decoration: underline; font-weight: bold; } .learnMoreButtonDiv{ margin: auto; }

  At Nature Hills, we offer huge numbers of amazing plant material options. Every plant is best suited to a specific growing condition. Please be careful to select plants that are hardy for your immediate area.  Just enter your zip code in the box on our website which will give you the proper hardiness zone. Read the Plant Facts to make sure the plant will grow well in your unique site. Eliminating the Sale of Invasive or Diseased Plants Across Restricted Areas One of our biggest jobs is to manage around government plant restrictions at the state and local level. Unfortunately, plants can behave in a highly invasive way in certain climates. Plants in some areas may have been exposed to insects, viruses, or diseases. We have to protect the property owner against infestation.  It’s not worth the environmental and property risk to transmit plants with virus or disease or move known pests into an area that does not have the problem. Russian Olive Alternative Sometimes a plant like Russian Olive becomes susceptible to a fungus that makes the plants look terrible. They can also be very weedy and have been listed as invasive in many different areas.  For that reason, Nature Hills has stopped growing Russian Olive, but we do have a plant option with the same type of soil, hardiness, and climate requirements. Silver Buffaloberry has the same look but isn’t invasive. It also gives you the wonderful bonus of superfruit!  Silver Buffaloberry Plant Highlights: USDA Zone 2-6 Widely Adaptable Soil Conditions Full Sun   Notable characteristics: Decorative silver foliage year round Fall/winter Interest Cold and Wind Tolerant Learn more Staying Compliant with State and Local Restrictions on Plant Material Nature Hills sells plants all across the country, 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 their compliance. Nature Hills hired a full time compliance officer. We have also designed our own proprietary software called Plant Sentry™ to keep tabs on each of the state’s restrictions. We can quickly update all state and federal restrictions on plant movement, and flag potential purchases into restricted areas. 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.  Plant Sentry prevents anyone from ordering and receiving plants that are in violation of each state’s compliance rules.  New Non-Invasive Plants Are A Big Trend Nature Hills is working with breeders to bring plants to market that do not produce any seed, or seed that is not viable. The reason for developing sterile plants or plants that produce little viable seed, so these plants will not become invasive no matter where they are grown. You will notice a trend for many new introductions that are not invasive. We introduced PowderPuff Spirea – a cute, sterile selection - in 2018. PowderPuff Spirea™ Plant Highlights: USDA Zone 4-8 Orange, Red Fall Color Pink, Rasberry Flower Color   Notable characteristics: Seedless Easy to grow Summer blooms Learn more Gain Peace of Mind When You Choose Plants from Nature Hills Property damage from infested or diseased plants is very costly. The time and physical labor it takes to dig out invasive plants is staggering. It’s simply not worth the risk. We are aware that other online companies are sending shipments of plants that are not compliant. They may not even know restrictions exist, and plants that do not have the proper certification or inspections are still being sent out. Nature Hills has taken the initiative to step out in front of this problem. We prevent virus and disease from being spread into areas where they are not yet known to occur. We do not allow the shipment of harmful insects or plants that are invasive in your area. With the development of 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 take pride in knowing that we are doing our best to guarantee the plants we ship are compliant with your state. And since Plant Sentry™ adapts to a constantly changing regulatory environment, we will always be compliant. Happy gardening! .blogList > li{ margin-bottom: .3em; }

Watch our "Fruit Whisperer", as Ed Laivo, one of America's top fruit tree experts, answers Jill Winger's question on how to best care for her new Dwarf Meyer Lemon Tree during the winter. Planting, Managing Pests, Making the Move, Fertilizing & Watering Ed has some really helpful hints for the home gardener in cold climates, like Wyoming (and let's not forget all the other hardy souls living in places like New York, Colorado, Minnesota, and our friends in Illinois!). If you want to grow Citrus Trees, but must bring them inside for the long winter - here's a video overview of what you need to know. Dwarf Meyer Lemons are so much fun to grow, and they'll do well for you inside. Just follow along with Ed for the best practices. Improved Dwarf Meyer Lemon Trees Plant Highlights: Zones 8-11 (Patio 4-11) Medium growing Fruiting Time 3 years   Notable characteristics: Tolerates versatile conditions Fragrant Grow Indoors & Out Learn more Want to see a live unboxing video from The Prairie Homestead? Watch Jill Open her New Dwarf Meyer Lemon from Nature Hills. Read more about Growing Dwarf Citrus Trees at The Prairie Homestead

Is it time to shake things up in your container gardens? After all, modern container garden trends have evolved, the same as modern foundation plantings and shrub borders.  Not only have the plant varieties changed, so have pots and soil mixes. Now, people are using an enormous variety of plant materials, including improved cultivars. They are also combining plants together in exciting new ways. Homeowners and renters alike demand the “curb appeal” that beautiful container gardens lend to their doorway, staircase, garage door. They want the “wow factor” on decks, patios and kitchen windows. Today’s containers may include shrubs, perennials, grasses, annuals, succulents, evergreens, and even cactus or tropicals.  The mix of plants, colors and textures is endless.  Learn what does best in your area and pay attention to see if those favorites are grown in the sun, shade or somewhere in between.  Don’t forget to take your lead from the professionals in your area.  See what they are using in the downtown areas or commercial projects in your community and which plants and ideas inspire you for your own yard.  Select Pots to Match Your Style and Space There is tremendous flexibility in options and choices of the pots.  Designers are using clay, ceramic, recycled plastic, fiberglass, Styrofoam, hollowed out logs and much more.  The colors, sizes and shapes of the containers are also endless.  Pick your pots based on the look you want to create.  Formal styles demand symmetrical pairing of classic shapes. For a modern look, use the “Rule of 3”. Choose three different heights of the same pot. Modern-minded gardeners can also use monoculture as a very effective “curated” collection. Purchase multiples of the same pot, then place them in a straight line. Odd numbers seem to work better, so buy 3, 5 or 7 of the same pot. A unified series of galvanized metal, creamy glazed ivory and even concrete planters tie this fresh design together. If you prefer an informal style, anything goes. Try using found objects as unique planters and place a mix of pots together in a happy bunch. Include outdoor sculpture, signage and traditional yard art like blue bottle trees. Scale is Critical Success Factor Scale is how the relative size of the pot looks against the backdrop. If a pot is too small, it will be overlooked. If it’s too big, you may be spending extra money on soil and plants to fill it. Just like Goldilocks, you want to find a pot that is “just right.” First, measure the available space where you want to place the pot. You need to have enough room for the width of the pot and matching saucer. Give yourself adequate space to walk around the container. Your visitors should be able to easily see the pot from a distance. If you have foundation bushes nearby, select a tall pot that is within a visitor’s line of sight as they approach. Consider using small, medium, large, and tall boxes as props to see what size you prefer. Taking time at this point will really pay off! Technical Guide to Pot Selection If you are container gardening in Zones 6 - 3, you need to use pots that can tolerate heat in the summer and freezing temperatures in the winter months.  Those of you in warm climates need to consider lighter colored pots, which will reflect the heat instead of absorbing it.  There are several adjustments you can make to help moderate the temperatures of the soil mix in the pots.  Consider lining larger pots with some Styrofoam insulation along the inside walls of the pots before putting in the soil mix.  After selecting the pots you like, choose a good quality soil mix.  Many of the new soils have a slow release fertilizer incorporated in the mix for a vigorous and healthy start.  Don’t put gravel in the bottoms of the pots.  The soil above that gravel will remain soggy and may cause some root rot.  Instead, use some folded paper or coffee filters to cover the drainage holes and keep the soil mix in the pots.  This way, you are using the entire volume of soil to allow the plants you are growing in those pots to perform at their best. Container Garden Plant Selection Guide When selecting plants for containers, color, height, width and growing conditions are all important considerations. Use the plant facts on Nature Hills plant descriptions to see how large the plants will get. If you intend to replace on a seasonal basis, you may choose annuals, or plant multiples of perennials to mass together to create a fuller look faster. Have you ever heard of the “Thriller, Filler, Spiller” formula? This is a fool-proof way to put together great looking containers. Thrillers are tall plants such as Ornamental Grasses with unique foliage, blossoms or a vertical growth habit. Place them in the middle of containers that will be viewed from all sides. Or, if you’ll only see one side of the planter, place your Thriller in the back of the arrangement. Fillers are the unsung heroes of containers. These are round, mounding plants that help provide softness and fullness to the arrangement. Here’s where you can have fun selecting harmonizing plants in the same color palette. Try showcasing different textures in a monochromatic color selection. Hot colors mix well with other hot colors. Cool pastels work beautifully together in groups. Try something new each season! Plant the Fillers around your Thriller almost to the edge of the planter. Leave enough room for Spiller plants, such as vines or trailing plants to grow over the edge of the planter. This really softens the overall look and gives a very professional look. Arrange your plants in the containers before planting them to ensure you have them in the right places to accommodate the mature size of the plants as the season progresses.  Learn what does best in your area and pay attention to see if those favorites are grown in the sun, shade or somewhere in between.  Protecting Your New Container Garden Once you have planted the plants in your containers, it is a great idea to put a few inches of mulch over the top of the soil and around the plants. This will hold moisture, keep the soil from splashing up on the plants (possibly creating some soil born fungus) and keep the plants clean. Use mulch for aesthetic reasons, as it unifies the whole design. The mulch you use can be of interest too. Have you ever used cocoa bean shells?  They are a great dark color, and just imagine smelling chocolate when arriving at your front door or sitting on the patio!  Shredded wood mulch is excellent too. For cactus and succulents, you may consider using stone or small gravel sprinkled over the top of the soil in those containers. Decorative glass is being used now, and we’ve even seen glow in the dark glass. You’ll love your containers throughout each season. Stay tuned for our next blog post on inspiration for each season. Happy Gardening!