People have loved Plums for a long time. Cultivated Plum tree varieties trace back to the beginning of human history, and Plum remains have been discovered in archeological sites back to the Stone Age. The two primary varieties of plums that are most common in our diet today, Prunus domestica (European Plums) and the Prunus salicina (Japanese Plums) are not found in nature at all, but rather are a human creation. These varieties are the results of selective hybridization over the course of centuries. Plum Trees are Great for Beginners Because there are so many varieties available across a diverse set of climates and zones, growing Plum Trees are the ideal fruit for the beginning home gardener. Plum varieties like the American hybrids, Burbank, Superior and Toka have adapted to the coldest extremes of USDA Zone 4 and produce delicious fruit dependably. The milder Zones of 10 and 11 have plum varieties like Santa Rosa and Burgundy that produce a wonderful crop of fruit year after year. The Methley Plum, one of the most versatile of all Plums, sets fruit in all zones 4 - 11. The majority of all Plums will grow successfully in zones 5- 9. Plums are easy to care for and one of the easiest fruit varieties to prune to keep it small (called “size control”). These days, with smaller lot sizes, the need to prune your tree to keep it to a reasonable size is critical. Plums can be maintained to almost any height successfully.  Espaliered Plums Save Space – Here’s How to Do It Plums lend themselves to a number of different pruning techniques. One popular method is espalier, which works for either the European or the Japanese plum types. Here, a tree is pruned and trained into a two-dimensional plant that grows flat against a trellis or fence. Usually, the tree is more productive when pruned into an informal, fan-shape – although espaliered trees can also be pruned into very decorative, geometric designs. This pruning technique has been used for thousands of years. Espalier provides important benefits: Great for growing fruit in limited space Maximize otherwise wasted space, such as the edge or perimeter of a garden Easier harvest Easier to apply row crop covering fabric to protect the blooms from late rains or freezes or pest control. Simply create a wired trellis at least 2 feet in front of an existing wall or fence.  Then, plant the tree in front of the trellis, and work to prune it flat. You’ll tie the branches to the espalier in a fan shape, using garden twine or leather straps. What a convenient and pretty way to harvest your Plums! What Do Plums Taste Like? There are so many flavors displayed by the different Plum varieties. That’s one of the reasons they are such an exciting choice for the home garden. Each Plum provides an eating experience loved for generations around the world. Flavors can range from the super-sweet, rich flavors of the Green Gage, Italian or French Improved Prune-plums; to the wonderful sweet-tart taste of a fully ripe Santa Rosa Plum; to the sweet smooth flavors of the Burgundy or the sensational Emerald Beaut Plum. Do Plums Need a Pollinating Partner? For the most part, Plums are self-fruitful and require no pollinizer to set fruit. But in almost all cases, another variety will help to increase your yield or ensure that you have production on the more challenging weather years. Always consider ripening times when selecting pollinizers or additional varieties. Extend the harvest time by planting an early season, a mid- season and a late season selection. This will help increase yield and spread the joy of eating fresh fruit for up to 4 months. High Density Fruit Planting – Plant 3 Varieties in 1 Hole Are you limited on space?  Consider planting multiple trees in one hole. By planting 3 trees in a triangle at least 24 inches apart, one can enjoy the fruit of 3 plum trees in the space of 1. The tree will grow into a single tree, with 3 trunks. Of course, pruning for size control and to open the canopy for air circulation, is critical in this application, but that is easily mastered. Pruning can be a fun, meditative task. High density planting works best when you select successive ripening varieties. Each works to pollinate the others, and you’ll have an easy harvest for months on end.  What Are the Health Benefits of Plums? Plums are loaded with fiber, high in vitamins A, C and K and as fruits go, relatively low in natural sugar. Plums also have the health promoting flavonoid poly phenolic antioxidants such as lutein, cryptoxanthin, and zeaxanthin. They are also high in minerals. The plum is truly an all-round health food. So if you are venturing into growing fruit in your yard, take a close look at the Plum varieties that are available on Nature Hills. They are an easy and productive choice to get you started on your backyard orchard. If you haven’t planted a Plum variety yet… well, what are you waiting for? View all of our Plum varieties in stock now

Low soil moisture, low precipitation and wild swings in temperatures can cause lots of problems for many landscape plants. Many established plants can be harmed, but newly planted plants are especially susceptible to winter damage.  Remember, keeping your trees and shrubs stress free is the key to success. Healthy and vigorous plants can ward off insect and disease problems much easier than plants that are weak and stressed. Protect Evergreen Trees and Shrubs from Winter Burn Was it dry in your region last fall? In areas where very dry fall weather precedes winter, there can be problems like winter burn and desiccation to evergreen trees and shrubs. Dry soils going into winter can also cause root damage, which can affect the entire plant come spring. We are also seeing very mild winter weather in many areas that typically get lots of cold and snow. Many of these areas have soil that is not frozen. When the soils are not frozen and is very dry, the plants can be susceptible to winter damage. Protect your investment of new landscaping with winter watering. Use the Shovel Test to See if Your Soil is Dry Get your shovel or pitchfork out of the garage and stick it into the soil to see if you have any frost in the soil. If you can push your tool into the soil easily, then you should consider adding some moisture to the root zones of plants. This is especially true if you haven’t received lots of rainfall last fall or early this winter. If the ground is frozen, additional moisture is not going to get into the soil and so is not necessary at this time. If you've gotten good rain or snow fall, you will not need to give additional moisture at this time.  Which Plants Are Especially Vulnerable to Dry Winter Soil Conditions? Any evergreens or broadleaved evergreen trees or shrubs, any newly planted trees and shrubs, and any new landscape plants will appreciate some additional moisture added, if the soil is dry and unfrozen at this time. There are other established plants that will appreciate some winter watering, including all evergreens like Japanese yews, Arborvitae, Spruce, Pine and Fir. Broadleaved evergreens like Boxwood, Holly, and Euonymus transpire water through their leaves all season, so give them water as needed. Birch trees, Dogwood trees, and Maple trees such as: Red, Silver, Norway and Hybrid will appreciate additional watering. Some trees like Mountain Ash, Willows, Lindens and Beech trees will all be happier with additional moisture. Dry soils that are frost free are tough on many of your plants, so give them a monthly drink if needed. Water during winter as needed for the best health for all of your new and established plants in your landscape!

Let’s face it: even with the magic of snowfall, the garden can look pretty boring in winter. It doesn’t have to be! Try planting some of these unique plants for winter garden beauty and color. (Bonus: many of these plants offer fabulous visual appeal during the other 3 seasons too!) Benefits of a Winter Landscape Gardening with winter in mind is tough when you’re surrounded by spring flowers! But planting for winter color and texture is well worth the forethought. Benefits of a winter garden include: Simply pretty. You’ll actually be inspired to look out your window during the winter. Wildlife-friendly. Many of these winter plants double as valuable food and shelter for backyard wildlife. Effortless. Unlike flashy summer flowers, a winter garden looks great without the need for work: no weeding, pruning or pests to worry about. Home decor. From holly to dogwood, most winter garden plant cuttings make wonderful and long-lasting indoor decor (especially during the holidays!) Read on to see a list of 7 unique plants that help you bring beauty to your winter yard. Yellow Dogwood Dogwood is a garden classic, and for good reason. These tough shrubs can withstand extreme cold, are one of the first plants to bloom in spring, have pretty fall foliage, and best of all: their bare stems practically glow with color in winter. Most dogwoods have red-orange stems, but we’re partial to yellow dogwood (Cornus alba 'Bud's Yellow’). It’s bright-gold stems draw the eye and make the winter garden seem more sunny and cheery. Like all dogwoods, ‘Bud’s Yellow’ looks great standing alone, in mixed borders, and even grown as a flashy hedge. Hardy in zones 3-7. Vertical Holly Most people think of large bushes when they think of growing holly, but ‘Sky Pencil’ (Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil') is a little different. This vertical holly grows straight up, like a fancy topiary. Don’t let its flashy looks fool you though -- ‘Sky Pencil’ is a true holly, with the same ease of care and evergreen leaves. Its column growth is perfectly natural, and no pruning is necessary to keep it looking neat. Grow ‘Sky Pencil’ along your driveway, as an accent plant, or even in planters on your patio. Hardy in zones 5-9. Bluestem Grass Ornamental grasses are a must-have for your winter garden, and ‘The Blues’ little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium 'The Blues') is no exception. Like many grasses, it boats fabulous four-season appeal, with pretty blue foliage spring-summer, followed by bright orange-burgundy foliage in fall that fades to a pretty silver in winter. Thanks to its compact size, ‘The Blues’ is perfect for smaller spaces. For best results, don’t cut back in fall - wait to prune it until early spring so you can enjoy it all winter long. Hardy in zones 4-9. Feather Reed Grass Another great ornamental grass, Feather Reed (Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster') is a wonderful addition to the winter garden. The tall, flowing foliage looks great all winter long, and sways gently in the breeze. In fact, this grass is also known as ‘motion grass.’ Able to grow up to 5 feet tall, this pretty grass is perfect for adding structure and movement to the garden. Feather reed grass is widely adaptable and very easy to grow as long as it gets plenty of sunshine. Hardy in zones 4-9. Dwarf Mugo Pine Most pine trees can get up to 20 feet or much more, but the Dwarf Mugo Pine matures at a compact 3-5 feet. With pretty light green needles and a definite mountain vibe, this little pine shrub makes a fabulous accent to your winter garden. Like all mugo pines, this dwarf variety is extremely tough and requires very little care. It thrives in poor, rocky soils, and looks great with or without pruning. Hardy in zones 3-7. Dwarf Japanese Cedar Featuring soft, dense foliage, Dwarf Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica 'Globosa Nana') is a truly unique landscape plant that really stands out in winter. Even though it’s technically a cypress, this little shrub has an almost moss-like texture and appearance. ‘Globosa Nana’ is a real conversation starter, especially in winter with its lush, soft look. Plant it anywhere you can enjoy it year-round - ‘Globosa Nana’ is a delight in every season and can live 30 years or more. Hardy in zones 5-9. Red Sprite Holly It’s hard to imagine a more colorful winter show than the bright red berries of a holly bush! ‘Red Sprite’ takes it up a notch with outstanding displays of red fruit that stands out against the snow. Birds adore the holly berries, but deer stay away. Take a few sprigs into your home for a natural and long-lasting holiday display and enjoy the rest through most of the winter. Like our other winter favorites, ‘Red Sprite’ holly is exceptionally hardy and easy to grow. Hardy in zones 4-9. The best garden designs plan to include plants which deliver a colorful winter garden. Don’t succumb to the winter garden blues: invest in a couple of winter landscape plants instead. Not only will these unique plants brighten up the snowy garden, they will also look great all year long. Use Winter Interest Plants for the "Bones" of your Landscape Winter is an excellent time to assess your winter landscape. Landscape architects will always talk about structure in the garden - really the "bones of your landscape". Structure comes not only from plants but from hardscape that you have in your yard as well. An interesting bench or garden art are still the focal point in the winter landscape. Do not forget the importance of adding some of the new LED landscape lights that take so little energy and the “bulbs” last for many years without have to change them. Landscape lighting to highlight walkways or uplight the interesting peeling bark on a River Birch tree or Crape Myrtle will make those cold short days much more enjoyable. How to Improve Your Garden Design Look at your winter landscape. Are you seeing any interest in your garden? What might improve your winter dormant landscape? Most obvious in the winter landscape is probably evergreens - plants that remain green either needles or leaves like on boxwood and hollies. Take a picture of your yard and look at it as it might be someone else with a more critical eye. See what your winter landscape might be lacking.  Be sure to include evergreens and broadleaved evergreens in your design. Deciduous plants too can offer lots of interest especially when used with the evergreens. Some plants like Viburnums, Holly, Aronia or Crabapples have interesting fruit that persists all winter long (or until the birds or other wildlife will be happy to find). Persistent berries are also very showy against evergreens and a snowy backdrop so be sure to include them as well. Then look at the perennials. Some gardeners cut them all down in the fall leaving nothing to look at. Don’t be so quick to eliminate the plant tops in the fall. A plant like a taller sedum or a Black Eyed Susan hold their seed heads up strong and high even when there is snow. These plants catch and sculpt the snow, and these plants offer cover and food for small birds and other wildlife. Attracting Birds to Your Yard Brings Winter Interest, Too Consider using a bird bath heater in colder regions, so birds and other wildlife have water available to them. You will be amazed at just how much interest the birds will have with a fresh water source. Keep the water fresh and full as a consistent source they get used to using. Select some plants that you like and should include and get them ordered from Nature Hills while we have your favorites!

Today’s homeowners are looking for trees with speedy growth rates to provide privacy and shade as soon as possible. But the Nature Hills horticultural team thinks you should consider a few more qualities when making your decision…. Need for Speed? Think Color, Too “So, which trees grow the fastest?” When you think of a fast growing tree, you will probably think of the usual cast of characters like cottonwood trees or willows that really grow fast in your area. However, you should know that there are other considerations to think about. Instead of focusing only on growth rate, let’s ask instead, “Which fast growing shade trees will give me additional benefits, such as strength, color and seasonal interest?” #ProPlantTips Recommendations Read on to learn about worthy trees that grow fast and are strong, colorful plants that will establish quickly. You might be surprised at some of these selections. They’ll grow faster than you might think. So, what is the fastest growing tree? Fast growing trees do not have to be short lived or without interest, so we have made some suggestions that will add beauty and value to your property all year long. Fast Growing Trees for the Northeast For this large area with varied climate and elevation, we have selected a Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), an evergreen that is widely distributed from Canada through Pennsylvania. An excellent and fast growing evergreen, Douglas Fir trees have soft, short dark green needles which are lovely with silvery blue undersides. It looks feathery and finely textured. Douglas Fir is easy to grow in many areas, as long as the soil is well drained. Young Douglas Fir trees are pyramidal and look great in natural groups as wind breaks or large screening plants. There are some very old native stands that are hundreds of years old. These trees can also be sheared into a compact hedge, or a small, dense cone if desired. Local songbirds will appreciate this tree, and you’ll have fun watching them nest and take shelter in your yard. The fresh, clean fragrance is an outstanding benefit. You will also love decorating this tree for the holidays. Fast Growing Trees for the East There are so many beautiful options for this region, it is hard to choose. Stately White Pines, Arborvitae or White Cedar, Juniper, Spruce, Maples and Oaks are all popular choices. Let’s highlight the native Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) which thrives across a wide range of distribution and grows fast! Tulip Trees are also known as Tulip Poplar, Fiddletree, Tulipwood or Yellow Poplar. The wood was prized for railroad ties, and story has it that they were a favorite of George Washington. This tree has a very interesting look. The eye-catching flowers grow on the branch tips and resemble a yellow tulip flower. The decorative leaves provide wonderful shade. In fall, the extra-large leaves turn brilliant yellow. Because the leaves are so large, it’s super easy to do annual fall cleanup. Give this beautiful, stately, native tree room to grow. It’s wildly adaptable, long lived, unusual and will perform well in most situations. It will also bring hummingbirds to your yard! Fast Growing Trees for the Southeast There are many beautiful fast growing trees that love the warm climate of the Southeast region. Now when you think of fast growing trees for the Southeast, plants like Magnolia, Dogwood, or maybe Longleaf Pines come to mind. Don’t forget the incredible Southern Live Oak! When young, it is fast growing, carefree and tolerant of most any soils, including soils that get wet. Why not plant a classic? There are many Southern Live Oak tree (Quercus virginiana) specimen plants that have been growing for hundreds of years. Their native range is from Virginiana across southern Georgia, most of Florida and across southern Mississippi and Louisiana and into a large portion of Texas. Many people may not consider Oak to be fast growing. However, when you buy one of our container grown Live Oaks, you will find it to be incredibly fast growing, especially as a young juvenile tree. Container grown Oaks transplant like a dream, never missing a heartbeat. They’ll simply continue rooting into its new home very quickly. When they transplant so easily, they produce lots of new growth as if they were never moved. At the nursery, we find out container Oak trees growing at much the same rate as many of our other shade tree varieties, so don’t forget to consider the sturdy Oak. Beautiful Southern Live Oaks holds its leaves all winter, remaining evergreen. This oak offer fast growing privacy on a large scale, eliminating large areas with undesirable views. You can leave the lower branches on your Southern Live Oak to aid in its ability to provide privacy screening and act as a tremendous wind break. Lower branched trees can be used in an informal group creating a massive screening or windbreak for large open area. You can also trim your Southern Live Oak by removing the lower branches as your tree grows and develops more size. Removing the lower branches of this fast growing tree will force more new growth, adding to the height of the tree quickly to provide fast shade. Fast Growing Trees for the South Some quick growing trees for the south might include some Red Maple, Elm or Oaks too, but let’s focus on Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia).  We would be remiss if we did not include such and amazing Genus of plants with so many selections from different species and hybrid introductions that have been brought to market over the years. Crape Myrtle is a fast growing, blooming machine with amazing bark and fall leaf color which makes this smaller ornamental plant a real winner. Breeders have been busy producing trees that bloom in a rainbow of colors. The whole Black Diamond series and other series of Crape Myrtles have deliciously dark, black-purple foliage, which really makes the fantastic array of flower colors pop in the landscape. Breeders have also extended the bloom of so many of these new introductions. You’ll enjoy blooming from late spring all the way into fall! In many years, you’ll also have beautiful fall color to enjoy. Crape Myrtles perform beautifully in hardiness Zones 6-10, which allows these beautiful plants to be grown in the southern half of the United States and up the West Coast. Plant sizes have been altered too, with some that are perfect for smaller screening plants. Others grow large, which make fast growing smaller specimen trees with copious amounts of bloom. They are easy to grow and have outstanding, peeling bark. As the branches get larger, the smooth bark peels and exposes another layer. This is an important visual feature that looks incredible when up-lit with landscape lighting. Crape Myrtles are used for fast growing privacy trees, informal hedges, and make the perfect specimen trees that are great under utility lines and places that are limited. Fast growing does not have to mean big growing and that is the case with Crape Myrtles. One last note… for some reason many people love to severely cut back the growth from the season prior back to big stubs - completely destroying the form of the plant! It has become known as “crape murder”. Destroying (or murdering) your Crape Myrtles is not necessary. They bloom on new wood, so pruning should be done in early spring before they start to grow. Head back any elongated branches, or thin out from areas that are too dense. You’ll love seeing the lovely blooms that year. How do I do that? Read our Pruning 101 post here. Fast Growing Trees for the Midwest Trees that first come to mind in the Midwest include Sugar Maples, Aspen, Crabapples, Pine and Spruce, but who doesn’t love River Birch (Betula nigra)? River Birch are a staple and are native across the Midwest landscape. At the nursery, the seedlings grow fast and the young plants put on huge amounts of growth. Three foot plants can double to six foot the next year and can double again to ten or even twelve feet tall in the nursery the following year in optimal growing conditions. River Birch can be grown as single stem plants, or grown in clump forms of three, four, five or even more trunks in one clump. They look outstanding when used in natural groups. Not only are River Birch trees super-fast growing, with dark green leaves that turn a beautiful clear yellow in fall, they have the most amazing cinnamon colored bark that peels and exfoliates as the plants age. It is probably the most important attribute for this plant. With that beautiful peeling bark, be sure to highlight it with some landscape lighting to enjoy it year round and into the night. River Birch are highly adaptable, tolerating heavy and wet soils, but they also perform well in upland sites as well. They do like a bit lower soil pH (a bit more acidic soil) to maintain the best dark green leaf color during the summer. Fast growing River Birch look great mixed with Pines or native evergreens in natural groups for screening and shelter belts. River Birch also make super shade trees because they establish so quickly and will bulk up with age. Many cities have found that River Birch make great street trees because they grow upright and are so very adaptable to most any condition. Enjoy this wonderful tree! Fast Growing Trees for the Mountain West Selecting a tree that works across the entire West is not the easiest thing to do.  Hardiness changes with elevation and there are many little microclimates that can affect what grows where. We recommend calling your local Ag extension office to get their recommendations, too. For a large region, one tree that is a pleasure to see growing (especially in the fall) is October Glory Red Maple, which is hardy in zones 5-8.  So many of the trees in the Mountain states and Western states have yellow fall color. October Glory has such beautiful red and orange coloration that lasts a long time in most areas in the fall. It’s definitely a stand-out! Once this tree is established, it can put on a couple of feet in a single season. Maples are wonderful shade trees. They are superb as a lawn tree offering shade on the southwest side of your home to give you some relief in summer. Then in the fall, the leaves drop and allow the sun in to warm that side of your home.  October Glory are very adaptable to most soils and will appreciate water during the drier spells. They can tolerate wetter soils, as well. Fiery red flowers appear in early spring on the bare branches. Next, green summer foliage emerges to offer shade all season. Then, hold on to your hats as the leaves turn beautiful red and orange. All of this on a fast growing, useful tree well worth your consideration to increase the value of your property.   Still need help? Call our sales team of plant experts. We’ll help you make the perfect choice to solve your toughest landscaping needs. 1-888-864-7663 div.col-md-4 img{ padding-top: 3.25rem; }

Late November and early December is the peak time for one of the finest oranges available. The Cara Cara orange possesses the most unique flavor of any orange. Imagine cherry, berry and orange flavors, all in one incredibly convenient fruit. That’s the flavor of a Cara Cara orange. The Cara Cara orange is also a nutritional powerhouse, with plenty of Vitamin C, Vitamin A, folate, and lycopene. These antioxidants give your heart a boost, and protect your cells from free radicals. The Cara Cara is an easy tree to grow, so you can enjoy this healthy fruit from your own yard. Not only is it adapted to any landscape wherever citrus grows well, the Cara Cara can also grow up to 15 to 20 feet without pruning. For ideal picking and pest control, the Cara Cara Orange is best when kept pruned at 6 to 8 feet. Pick them when they are firm, shiny, heavy and have a great smell.  Grow Cara Cara Indoors as a Patio Plant in Containers The Cara Cara orange is also a perfect container tree, giving you a great patio specimen or an amazing accent container plant in the garden. Container growing allows the Cara Cara Orange to be grown in the more marginal citrus areas. This way, you can move your Cara Cara to a protected location or cover your plant to help protect against the occasional winter cold. The Cara Cara may also be the best sweet orange variety for the extreme cold climates. This is where indoor to outdoor growing is required. The early ripening Cara Cara will benefit from being kept outdoors until the temperatures drop into the high to mid 30’s, and then is gradually brought indoors. That will allow the fruit to ripen as much as possible outdoors; benefiting from the extra sunlight exposure. Pro Plant Tips for Growing Cara Cara Orange Trees Standard Citrus care is applied to the Cara Cara orange. Find a location with both good draining soils and a full days’ worth of sun. Feeding is only required in soils deficient in primary nutrients. You can have a simple soil test done to determine the health of your soils. For container growing, choose a potting soil that is designed for Azalea, Camelias and Rhododendrons. If available, add Pathway Bark to the mix for added porosity and large particle organic matter. Citrus likes slightly acid soil and fertilizing is required for container grown citrus plants. In the first 5 years, an organic acid fertilizer applied 4 times a year is recommended for your Cara Cara tree. Increase to every other month as your tree gets older. Don’t Overwater Your Cara Cara Watering is always critical, either in the ground or container. Your citrus will like to be on the dry side. Over watering your Cara Cara can result in common problems such as yellowing leaves, leaf drop and lack of vigor. This is of particular concern for indoor to outdoor growers. The Citrus tree’s water requirements decrease dramatically once it is brought indoors. Be careful to become familiar with your winter water needs while indoors. Check before watering to determine if your plant needs water.