Here at Nature Hills, we get questions all the time wondering when the best time to plant during the year is. And the short answer is-- whenever the plant arrives on your doorstep! We know you want the best for your plant by setting it up for optimal plant growth when placing it in the ground at the pinpointed “absolute best time of the year to plant.” But that stress of figuring that pinpointed time out is long gone.  You can sit back, relax and wait for the plant to come to you. Then, you know the conditions are permitting a prime planting time. Let’s break this logic down even further! It’s Not Only During The Spring Is The Ground Frozen? But My Plant Specifically Says When To Plant It’s Not Only During The Spring As much as you want us to say ‘only ever plant during the Spring season’, it’s simply just not true. We’re here to break the stigma behind only planting during the spring as it doesn’t cover the whole plant growing season-- and here’s why. Sure spring is a great time for planting-- you take advantage of the cooler weather, have a higher chance of more moisture and it opens up a longer growing season ahead of your new plant. But, we grow many plants, from deciduous trees to evergreen shrubs, in containers so that you can open the door to shipping and planting all throughout the growing season with complete success.  Plant shipping depends entirely on your specific growing zones as across the United States, different weather conditions are happening at different times. The map below uses colors to show the various zones and climates we have across the country.  Nature Hills uses our past experiences to be able to ship from our production areas to 48 states in all 4 seasons depending upon your temperatures. And that doesn’t just mean spring. In fact, you can plant almost anytime between the determined frost dates.  When you place an order with us during the year, we want to ensure that the following conditions are met:  Our crop has finished at the nursery and the plants are finished for the size pot they are grown in. The temperatures are ok to ship from our production area to your part of the state without getting too cold or heating in shipment. If each of those requirements are checked off with flying colors, that means your plant AND your growing area is ready to be planted safely. Therefore, when the doorbell rings with a plant shipment, even if it's summer, spring, fall or sometimes winter, you can start planting! Check out our shipping schedules to visually see when we will more than likely be shipping various plants to your individual growing zone.  Is The Ground Frozen? Basically, what we are saying is that you can plant at almost any time, as long as the ground isn’t frozen. And to make it easy on you, we won’t ship to your area if the weather isn’t permitting-- more specifically if the soil is too cold to host a live plant and its root systems.  If one early spring day, you walk outside and feel a gust of warm weather settling in, this doesn’t mean your plant will be shipping that very day because of the warmth.  Sure you can spend the day in an outdoor hammock, but Nature Hills’ experts wait to ship to ensure that the frost is fully melted both during transit AND in your growing zone.  Even if you are not going to be planting during the winter, it is still a good idea to place an order with us during it. This ensures that your picked out plant will be placed to the side with only your name on it and is patiently waiting to be shipped off at a good planting time.  We wouldn’t want your plant freezing its leaves off! The same goes for days that the sun never seems to cool down. Extreme heats can also be a risk to your plant as sometimes it has to sit in the back of a truck for a few days at a time with no source of water.  We don’t want your plant drying out on its way to you. So, we’ll wait to ship your prized plant until it's fully safe to be transported and placed in the ground without heat exhaustion. Depending on your zone this can be anytime from later summer to early fall. But My Plant Specifically Says When To Plant Yes, we do sell seasonal plant specimens that politely ask to be planted during a certain time of the year.  For example, fall planted flowering bulbs specifically want to be planted during the fall season. However, this is more for the reason that they need the cold weather in order to ‘winter over’, which is an essential part of blooming in the spring.  Again, we wouldn’t ship your fall planting bulbs to you unless it was the proper time for planting in your growing area.  When ordering from us, be sure to read the plant descriptions and review the given plant highlights to double check if your plant prefers a certain planting season over others. More often than not, our plants won’t be picky! So, the next time you go to look up when you should plant, remember that rule of thumb is if we shipped it to you during that time, then it's a good time to plant too.  Plant trees, shrubs, perennials, fruit and more when it arrives on your doorstep! Happy gardening!

Do you have a patch of shade and are not sure what will survive in those tricky conditions? There are so many shade garden plant options these days, and it can be overwhelming just to know where to start! Not to fear! Here are some easy garden recipes for you using unique combinations of shade-loving plants that you may not have considered! Get your garden bench or hammock ready because this will become your new favorite respite from the sun and summer heat! Getting Started Shade Garden Design Bold & Gold Shade Garden Moist to Wet Shade: Dry to Average Shade: Cool Calming & Tranquil Hues Moist to Wet Shade: Dry to Average Shade Putting it together Other shade lovers to consider: Made in the Shade! Getting Started Often shade doesn’t have the most optimal conditions so choose plants best suited for your zone and situation. Whether it’s dapped and light shade or dark, dense cover, these garden plans will turn that shady spot into a dreamy spot! Amend the soil with rich compost, add humus and organic matter if you have a dry environment, and be ready to add a thick layer of mulch! Soaker hoses will water deeply and lessen surface evaporation, plus you’ll not see the hoses. For moist areas and wet sites, consider mounding or berming up the area to raise the roots above the water table. Especially if you have stagnant, standing water at times. Try improving the drainage by building up the area by 18 inches or so with some native soil from the area if it is needed. Always remember that you should not build up the soil over existing tree roots. Don’t forget pathways and lighting! Water features, sculptures or tall urns - it’s your space so make it special! If this will be a seating area, remember that shade can go hand in hand with mosquitoes, so consider a few citronella candles.  Shade Garden Design No shade garden is alike, so here are several pre-planned gardens for the two main types of shade most landscapes encounter - dry shade and moist shade. All ready to dazzle all growing season! These combinations are adaptable to a wide range of growing zones! Every garden needs a variety of heights and textures, colors and accents to really make it shine! Of course, you’ll want to choose plants that set each other off, last throughout the growing season, and fit your style too!  Plant your site - is the area just a side strip or border, is it a large area under dense-shade trees, or is it a small corner at the rear of your property? You can easily turn these forgotten spots into the favorite part of the landscape with the right plan! Create a seating area away from the hot sun, a destination path to a quiet nook, or a border garden where it’s just bare ground along a foundation. Turn that side yard or forgotten strip between buildings into a secret getaway! Bold & Gold Shade Garden Chartreuse greens and gold are unusual colors to find in a shade garden! Besides, you’ll want all the brightness and glitz possible for a gloomy area.  Moist to Wet Shade: Coarse Foliage: Sum and Substance Hosta Focal Point: Scentlandia® Sweetspire - Fragrant Vertical Accent: The King Ostrich Fern Colorful Accent: Delta Dawn Coral Bells Groundcover: Bowles Periwinkle Evergreen Backdrop: Gold Splash® Euonymus Tuck this garden around your home’s shaded corner where the gutters drain, or in that low area that’s a bit soggy. Add layers of rocks and a waterfall if you can build up the area. Or create a ‘dry’ stream bed look that adds lightness to the gloom.  Dry to Average Shade: Coarse Foliage: August Moon Hosta  Focal Point: Kerria Golden Guinea  Colorful Edging & Accent: Autumn Fern Fine Texture & Motion: All Gold Japanese Forest Grass Groundcover: Sweet Woodruff Evergreen Backdrop: Oregon Grape Holly - Gold flowers & edible fruit Set up some fancy containers and garden art with a footpath winding through the middle, then set the area alight with dramatic lighting. This garden design can be used to create a dry shade Rock garden too! Cool Calming & Tranquil Hues Maybe you don’t want your shade garden to stand out and sparkle? Perhaps this is your meditation and Zen area where you go to unwind and decompress? If that’s the case, you’ll want the soothing colors of blues, lavenders, silver, grey and deep-green leaves.  Moist to Wet Shade: Coarse Foliage: Elegans Hosta Focal Point: Henry’s Garnet Virginia Sweetspire - Fragrant Filler & Accent: Bridal Veil Astilbe Vertical Accent: Spicata Liriope  Fine Texture & Motion: Blue Zinger Sedge Grass Evergreen Backdrop: Captain Upright Yew Add a pond with a fountain or small brook in a low area to help drain away excess water from moist soil to create a Rain Garden. Add some Bistro chairs and a table, and you’re ready to entertain and relax! Dry to Average Shade Coarse Foliage: Frances Williams Hosta - White flowers Focal Point: Little Henry Virginia Sweetspire - Fragrant Bold Filler & Accent: Alexanders Great Brunnera - Unique blue flower! Edging & Accent: Dwarf Goats Beard Groundcover: Ghost Lamium  Evergreen Backdrop: Taunton Spreading Yew Get your hammock or garden bench ready with a pot of iced tea and you’re ready for a relaxing nook for lazy afternoons, or a shaded area to take a break after working in the yard!  These plants are very drought-tolerant once established and with a good layer of mulch to regulate moisture retention, your garden design will be a success! Putting it together Evergreens provide formal backdrops and year-round structure to any garden setting. Deciduous shrubs add height and blooms while perennials bring so much variety! Groundcover helps in so many different ways - from living mulch, moisture retention, to filling in bare spots! Line the back of your garden in the evergreens for a structural 4-season backdrop. Add larger shrubs as focal points, group in threes as a specimen planting, or spread them out at even intervals for a formal look.  Fringe these with a ring of shorter accents and fine-textured plants. Then, add some edging and fill in the bare spots with ground covers!  Other shade lovers to consider Vines: Climbing Hydrangea Trees: White Fringe Tree, Japanese Maple & Canadian Hemlock  Evergreens: Korean Rhododendron Shrubs: Black Chokeberry Perennials: Coral Bells, Bleeding Hearts, Astilbe & Hosta Made in the Shade! This is a unique microclimate within your landscape that offers so many interesting opportunities! While it may seem that there are so many plants to choose from, having simple recipe plans to build from certainly make it easier to find a starting point!  Each of these plants will thrive in the full to partial shade, making them perfect for that spot in the landscape where you haven't been able to get anything else to grow. Create your new shady outdoor room, enliven an overcast foundation, or fill in that troublesome area beneath large trees with lush color today! You’ll learn it’s easy if you follow NatureHills.com’s recipes for success! Happy Planting!

We know that not everyone is cut out for being a master gardener; even a few of us at Nature Hills struggle to keep our plants alive! We know-- how embarrassing.  If you’re a beginner gardener, seem to almost always forget to water your plants or simply have an uncontrollable brown thumb, you’ll want to consider adding a few of the plants listed below to your landscape.  Or maybe you have always assumed your yard was too shady, a tad too dry, or that the soil was a little sandy to proudly support plants well. But-- guess again.  Our plant picks below not only are interesting and unique, but they also can tolerate a bit of neglect and thrive in even the not-so plant friendly places!  Top Hardy Plant Choices Yucca Catmint Hydrangea Arborescens Ornamental Grasses Daylilies Top Hardy Plant Choices Yucca Start growing some of the most commonly known xeriscaping plants around. Yucca plantss are among some of the top chosen hardy specimens for those landscapes and gardens that struggle to support happy and healthy plants. You’ll easily spot one-- or a dozen-- when in national parks located in areas like New Mexico and Texas. Why? Because they can take the heat, rocky soil and limited water.  There are almost 50 known species of Yucca plants, each being diverse in their unique ways. Some are prized for their Yucca flowers, while others are noticed because of their intricate leaf characteristics. But all are masters of being hardy! Most commonly, landscapers use Yucca plants to add a sense of color to their rock gardens. Or place it near the front of a shrub border in the works.  Do you have a vast dry slope that is a complete eye sore to your yard? Yuccas work well in mass plantings to cover that up!  Even use them as container plants that can be placed on either side of your front door entrance. It makes a statement and everyone will remember your house. If you ever get bored with the placing, it's easy to move the plant to a backyard patio or even make it an indoor plant!  With a Yucca, your garden will always have color no matter where it resides. Customer Favorites:  Color Guard Yucca Adam’s Needle Yucca #ProPlantTips For Care:  As stated, the Yucca plant is easy to grow, which means it’s also easy to care for! That’s good news for you. To increase the chances of prime growth on your Yucca, we’ve highlighted a few plant tips below.  The type of soil is all the same to the Yucca; however, it’s essential to have it well-draining. This will help avoid rot from developing. When watering, you won’t need much other than an inch per week during the hot months and little to none during the cold months. They are extremely drought tolerant! There is no need for extensive pruning with Yuccas. However, if you want to lightly trim away dead or damaged leaves to help grow new, feel free to do so at any time.  Catmint There is something about a perennial that is aromatic, ornamental and best yet-- hardy. Catmint plants produce a cluster of lavender-blue flowers atop gray-green foliage.  Even though today it is most commonly grown in gardens, this plant has an interesting history behind. In fact, it was first cultivated in a Roman town for their herbal tea and used as an insect repellent.  If your vegetable garden is struggling with various insects, we suggest edging it with Catmint plants for not only a pretty purple border, but also for a deterrent to harmful bugs like aphids and japanese beetles.  Or, have it gracefully spill over a wall or rocks as a tough groundcover. Maybe you need a plant that can line walkways or sit in front of the garden. A Catmint should be your first choice. It even won the ‘2007 Plant of the Year’ award!  Do you want to bring a natural minty fragrance indoors? That’s not a problem either. It grows well in containers to serve as a house plant or as a homegrown herb. Many gardeners who struggle to stay on a watering schedule will grow Catmint because of its drought tolerant abilities.  It can be fresh, dried or even frozen for both herbal teas and culinary use.  Customer Favorites:  Walker’s Low Catmint #ProPlantTips For Care:  The basic care tips for Catmint are simple. When first getting established, the plant will appreciate regular watering until it's ready to stand alone. After that, it will only need occasional watering.  If you planted it in full sun and start to experience a period of extreme heat, provide supplemental watering. Mulch placed over the root zone will help conserve moisture and moderate soil temperatures. When in richer, more fertile soils the plant will be encouraged to grow taller and wider. However, in rocky and dry soils, it will stay refined and compact.  Before the blooms appear, trim your plants back in early spring. However, when your Catmint starts to bloom throughout the summer and into fall, consider deadheading the spent blooms. Especially after the first round of flowers.This will only promote additional flowering for all to see!  Hydrangea Arborescens If you’re looking for hardy plants that bloom profusely year after year-- look no longer. Hydrangea Arborescens are the winners of that category.  Being native to most of the United States, Arborscens come with easy care instructions for those who can't seem to keep their blossoms alive long enough for others to envy. With proper planting and water when you get the chance, each growing season will bring gigantic and colorful blooms. Take that neighbors.  Use Hydrangea Arborescens for almost any landscape need. Each ornamental structure gives off a ‘classic’ vibe to a yard, which can unify an entire design with one plant. Placing a long hedge along the edge of a landscape creates a privacy screen, option for cut flowers and chic mass planting.  If you already have a fence in place, no worries! These hydrangeas look great alongside them. Or, mix and match them among your already established perennial or shrub borders.  If you need a plant that is going to wow your guests from the point of entry, Hydrangea Arborescens grow well in containers while looking dreamy when doing it. Place one on either side of your font patio as a natural greeter.  Customer Favorites:  Annabelle Hydrangea Incrediball Hydrangea Invincibelle Wee White Hydrangea #ProPlantTips For Care:  With Arborescens, you won’t have to go through the hassle of changing the pH levels to get a color of your liking. Instead, they produce their bright shades in any soil! As long as the soil drains quickly, they will tolerate it.  A simple, once a year pruning is recommended cutting all of the stems down to a few inches each early spring just before they start to grow. Full sun is appreciated and wanted, but they will also grow in partial shade areas too-- at least 4 hours of sun daily.  Best watering practices include providing an even amount regularly, especially early in the flowering season. When establishing new, provide supplemental water. Use the finger test by poking a finger in the soil. If it is moist, you can skip watering for the day; if it is feeling dry, give it a drink.  Ornamental Grasses Ornamental grasses are a must-have in a hardy landscape. They often get overlooked because they do not provide flowers, but the gardens that utilize these plants definitely look the most interesting in colder months.  From color and shades to textures and forms, grasses have it all. Not to mention, they are hardy, display year-round interest and easy to maintain.  The best part about Ornamental grasses is that they are drought tolerant. Which means you can forget to check on it and it will still be prospering on its own.  Quick gardening tip: for a complete landscape assembly, plant at least one ornamental grass in every garden bed. It’ll tie the whole look together. Or place it on a steep hillside or alongside paths to help with erosion control.  For borders, foundation plantings and open spaces, you’ll add needed texture with grasses. And it won’t even require loads of care, so add as many as you would like! Customer Favorites:  Dwarf Fountain Grass Little Bluestem Grass Pink Muhly Grass #ProPlantTips For Care:  Grasses aren’t picky with soils and they prize themselves on being drought tolerant. A few even being insect and disease resistant as well. Easy maintenance with a simple once a year pruning is recommended by cutting all of the old leaves and stems down to just a few inches in late winter or early spring just before they start to grow. Full sun is their favorite and where they will perform their best in any landscape. When early spring approaches, cut the dead growth from the previous season to make room for new growth.  Daylilies Daylilies are an old durable blooming perennial used in a variety of gardening designs across the United States. Even in urban areas!  Gardeners love them for their amazing assortment of colors and sizes. Pick and choose from orange, yellow, pink, purple and many other combinations. Then choose the size. It’s almost as if you can build your very own Daylily flower.  Come the summertime, enjoy rays of color that spread across your landscape. They are a favorite garden border for color to pair well with semi evergreen plants. However, many love to use them as groundcovers on slopes that struggle to produce grass.  Nature Hills can’t get enough of Daylilies, so we suggest choosing an area for mass plantings. You’ll have ample blooms that you can easily cut for an indoor bouquet on the kitchen counter! A hidden gem of Daylilies is that all parts are in fact edible! Flower buds are commonly cooked for various dishes and the petals are used in salads. Some say the buds resemble the taste of green beans. Customer Favorites:  Stella de Oro Daylily Little Grapette Daylily Strawberry Candy Daylily #ProPlantTips For Care:  Daylilies will perform well in almost all conditions, except for heavy water-logged soils. For the happiest flowers, establish in rich and moist soil that is in a sunny area. They can withstand a bit of shade if need be.  Once established, these hardy plants will tolerate drought and will only be watered as needed.  Many Daylily varieties are reblooming so when the first round of flowers finish, be sure to cut all of the flower stems down to the ground. By cutting the old flower stems out it will encourage new flower stems to develop. Then, at the end of the growing season after several frosts in late fall, cut all foliage and old flowering stems down to the soil removing all old leaves and stems and discard them. Daylilies tend to not be deer resistant, so setting up a deterrent is a good idea if needed.  Gardening can be made easy with these 5 hardy plants that are hard to kill, even by those with a notorious brown thumb!  Happy planting!

From landscape to landscape, Juniper Shrubs provide a defined structure and a fresh fragrance that few other bushes can match fully.  More and more, we have seen these bushes take their place in landscapes and it’s time for you to join in on the gardening fun! About Juniper Shrubs Which Juniper Shrub Should I Grow? The Blueberry Delight The Blue Rug The Kallay’s Compact The Saybrook Gold How To Style Them #ProPlantTips For Growing Junipers About Juniper Shrubs Junipers are some of the most known evergreen shrubs grown in landscapes. If you have yet to properly identify one when taking a walk on a Sunday morning, these shrubs are coniferous plants and members of the cypress family that can range from wide and low-growing to tall and slender.  Their foliage can be anywhere in between light to dark green, blue to silver and even yellow to gold. Normally, the leaves are short and tough like evergreen needles, but more with a fork shape.  Some will produce fruits that resemble berries -- most famous for flavoring gin and other foods-- while others will produce cones instead. Years ago, American Indian tribes would use the Juniper leaves as a medicine tactic for arthritis, coughing, infections, and more! A unique feature of Juniper Shrubs is that they are dioecious, which simply means that each individual plant is either male or female, but not both. This causes them to flower differently! Even with all these above fun facts, we have not even begun to dive into the most common favorite feature of Juniper Shrubs-- their scent. From cedar and incense to lemons and apples, Juniper bushes can envelop a room with fresh aromas.  Most commonly, a few branches of Junipers are used around the holidays year after year for garlands and wreaths. The sweet, woody fragrance will leave your house smelling fresh for weeks It’s no wonder that they are a gardener’s favorite! Which Juniper Shrub Should I Grow? The possibilities of choosing a Juniper almost seems endless-- so much so that here at Nature Hills, we can’t just grow one, we opt for growing a multitude instead.  In fact, there are over 170 different cultivated varieties ranging from ground covers and edge plants to shrubs and trees. Even select from a variety of shapes including narrow columns, rounded forms and tight pyramids! Depending on your landscaping needs and wants, the Junipers of your choice will differ! To make it easy on you, we’ve hand-selected a few of our top notch Juniper Bushes to highlight below.  The Blueberry Delight The Blueberry Delight Juniper Bush (Juniperus communis var. depressa ‘AmDak’) is a known native selection that provides an evergreen accent year-round. This tough specimen is drought tolerant, low maintenance, extremely hardy and grows in Zones 3 through 8. All it really needs is well-draining soil.  It prefers the hot, full sun, but plant it in dry conditions, cold temperatures and even in rocky soils too.  It will still show off its dark green needles that hold a silvery-blue pinstripe!  We like to style this ornamental evergreen as a low-growing groundcover in front of a couple windows. It is sure to attract a few of the local songbirds that you can watch from the comfort of your home while sipping tea mid-morning.  Or, if you are needing to place in an effort for erosion control, the Blueberry Delight is your natural solution! Mass plantings do well on slopes.  When in optimal conditions, the Blueberry Delight can live up to 30 to 40 years! What are you waiting for? Allow this Juniper to grace the landscape for decades to come. The Blue Rug The Blue Rug (Juniperus horizontalis 'Wiltonii') is considered a ground cover type Juniper Bush, which are excellent for xeriscaping. Normally, you may see this shrub gently spilling over rock walls or larger boulders.  Do you live in a place that is constantly hot and dry? It may seem that you can’t have the luxury of green, but the Blue Rug is known for creating masses of evergreen foliage even in the dry zones.  However, it grows in Zones 3 through 9 so the colder zones can enjoy it as well! Not to mention, it’s also drought tolerant, salt tolerant and is able to withstand urban areas.  Don’t be fooled by the classy silvery, sea-green color it lays, the Blue Rug Juniper is very low-maintenance once properly established. If you’re looking for the perfect ‘spiller plant’-- this one's for you. The Kallay’s Compact The Kallay’s Compact Juniper (Juniperus x pfitzeriana 'Kallay's Compact') is considered a midrange growing type or medium sized, which is great for larger landscaping projects that want mass plantings.  This shrub can be seen as a barrier plant for the back edges of landscapes or as a backdrop to a colorful perennial garden.  It grows in Zones 4 through 8 and keeps its silvery-green shade even in full sun. Be on the lookout for feathered friends paying a visit for the blue berries hanging upon this shrub! Unlike other Junipers, the Kallay’s Compact has needles that are very soft to the touch, making it the ideal specimen for the backyards that always host family events.   The Saybrook Gold The Saybrook Gold Juniper (Juniperus chinensis 'Saybrook Gold') is different from most because of its bright golden foliage. In fact, it’s one of our brightest Junipers yet and will keep its color  throughout each of the seasons.  It grows in Zones 4 through 9 and responds well to a small prune here and there. Use it for foundation plantings or as a gleaming low hedge along a fence line.  Make sure to place it in an area that receives high amounts of sunlight for the best color display. However, it will grow in partial shade too, but at a slower rate. At first, when this Juniper is added, the needles will be soft to touch. As the shrub grows older, the foliage becomes quite prickly. This feature keeps the deer and other animals from munching on it. We suggest using the Saybrook Gold as a focal point in rock gardens, walkway borders and even near backyard ponds! How To Style Them The large selection and versatility of these shrubs allows each individual garden to be unique.  Need to fill a tight space around your mailbox? Juniper. Looking to cover a bare area with ground covers? Juniper. Have a border that’s missing a base color? Juniper.  Pick from numerous design characteristics like: form, size, color, and texture. It’s almost as if you can build your own Juniper Shrub from scratch!  Low-growing junipers are those that are ground huggers. Normally, they are displayed as foundation plantings or groundcovers. Landscapes like to use these as a replacement for grass in areas that struggle growing it.  Groundcovers also serve as great filler plants to other flowers, trees and shrubs. Use the evergreen specimen as a background to the focal points within a garden.  The taller shrubs are excellent for windbreaks, hedges and screens stationed in a line around a property. Create a natural privacy fence or if you already have a fence in place but don’t like the look, place a line of shrubs directly in front for a more eye-pleasing area.  Shield off a front or back yard from wind gusts by planting a row of taller Junipers as a windbreak too. Your daily outdoor activities will thank you for it! Other Junipers have a ‘spilling over’ feature to their foliage, which is a fan favorite in containers that are posted on either side of patios, door and walkways.  As we stated earlier, the solution to every landscaping design is a Juniper -- or a few! #ProPlantTips For Growing Junipers Looks like you have decided to grow a Juniper and you are wondering just how to do that. No worries, our plant experts have kindly provided you with a few main #ProPlantTips on growing these shrubs.    Make sure the soil is well-draining. When it comes to soils, Junipers are only picky when it comes to being well-drained. Otherwise they will grow like normal in rocky, dry, poor, and even clay soil. Really any kind except for poorly drained.  Don’t have well-draining soil? A simple fix for that is to build the plant area up with additional soils so the plant is on top or use a raised bed that can be easily controlled.    Ideally, pick a location that is in full sun.  For the best color results, they need full sun. Many kinds of Junipers will have a blue-grey or golden-yellow color that can fade without sunlight. Almost seems opposite of what we are taught!   Once established, they are drought tolerant.  When getting your new bush to adjust to a new home, pay careful attention to the watering details. Rule of thumb is to water frequently in the first 2 years of growth, but afterward it can make do with what nature provides.  Once it is established properly, it is quite drought tolerant and you can back off on adding additional watering.    Don’t over prune.  Junipers are not made for excessive pruning; in fact, you should rarely have to prune these bushes. However, if unwanted new growth takes place, slightly prune the branches back in the spring season.  We suggest using a hand-held pruner and only selectively head backing the longest stems. This keeps the close branches alive and well.  Juniper Shrubs are a necessity to almost every garden! With countless colors, textures and forms, you are sure to find the one that suits your style.  Happy planting!

What is a Terrarium?4 Types of Terrarium Plants5 Step Planting Guide To Assemble A TerrariumWhere You Can Get Your Own TerrariumWhat Is a Terrarium?By definition, a terrarium is a sealed transparent globe or similar container in which plants are grown. They are often made of glass or plastic and wood.While some terrariums can house small animals, the majority of them house beautiful and vivacious plants. Terrariums are a great tool and decorative piece that gives your plants an enclosed and controlled environment to thrive in.A terrarium will add the perfect pop of class and color to any space. Put it on your desk to add a little life to it, or add one to your windowsill to bring inside a bit of the outdoors. No matter where you choose to place your terrarium, it is sure to be eye-catching and beautiful.Terrariums are great for growing mini-gardens, especially if you live in a dry area. There are two kinds of terrariums: enclosed terrariums and open terrariums.Open terrariums require more supplies such as moss and rocks to help contain moisture in the environment. Enclosed terrariums are similar to a small greenhouse and require less material.The soil and plants within an enclosed terrarium release water vapor that collects on the walls and slides back into the soil. It essentially recycles the water!The best part about terrariums is that they are self-nourishing, especially if they are sealed. This is why they require such little maintenance. Of course, you should still check on your plants as needed, but you won't have to water them nearly as much as if they were outdoor plants.4 Types Of Terrarium PlantsWhile you may think that there are only a couple of plants that can grow in terrariums, there are actually many of them! Some are even sold right here on the NatureHills.com website!Mondo GrassGrasses such as Black Beard Mondo Grass and Dwarf Mondo Grass make an excellent addition to any terrarium in small quantities. Mondo Grasses are known for being ornamental, durable, and an excellent ground cover. This is why they are also perfect for growing in terrariums!While Mondo Grass is known for being durable, it is still susceptible to the elements. A sealed terrarium will help ensure that the grass gets all the nourishment it needs, with little effort from you.BegoniasThis one is a bit of a surprise, but it's true! You can totally grow small flowers in your terrariums! Flowers like Begonias are just what you need to add a bright pop of color to your space. Take the Apricot Illumination Begonia, for example.This Begonia happens to grow best in window boxes and hanging baskets! A terrarium will make the perfect habitat for one of these beautiful flowers. Just keep in mind that as your Begonia grows, it may need a bigger terrarium to support its future growth.Again, this is a plant that is susceptible to dryness if not watered properly or frequently enough. A terrarium helps cut back on that extra work!FernsIt may seem strange to think that a fern can go in a terrarium of all things. But, they are actually quite perfect for them!Ferns such as the Foxtail Fern are tough and easy to care for. They love to live in containers and hanging baskets which makes a terrarium an ideal environment for them.SedumsSedums are another example of a great decorative ground cover. The SunSparkler Firecracker Sedum, for example, has vivid pink flower clusters and loves the heat! When grown in a container like a terrarium, it is sure to thrive and look vibrant.5 Step Planting Guide To Assemble A TerrariumThe stained glass look of these terrariums is what makes them stand out from the rest! They are unique, beautiful, and even slightly complex. However, these terrariums are far from confusing and are actually quite easy to put together!What You Need1. Clay Pebbles / Pea Gravel2. Activated Charcoal3. Potting Soil4. Your Plant!5. Coffee Filter (Optional)6. Moss and/or Sand (Optional)Step #1: Add Pebbles for DrainagePlace a 1-inch high layer of pea gravel or red clay pebbles (Hydrotron) at the terrarium liner's bottom. These types of pebbles retain moisture and release it back to your plants' roots as needed for healthy drainage.Step #2: Add a Layer of CharcoalAdd a 1/4 inch layer of activated charcoal pieces on top of your pebbles.You can purchase charcoal at garden supply stores or aquarium supply stores. It is used to keep the soil purified and help with filtration. Another thing you could do is add a coffee filter, moss, or sand. This will help prevent soil from filtering down into the pebbles.Step #3: Add Potting SoilAdd 2 to 3 inches of potting soil on top of the charcoal. We recommend using a good organic potting soil. A quality soil mixture will help them grow to their full potential and prolong the life of your plants.Step #4: Planting and DecoratingRemove the plant from its plastic container, tease the roots gently apart and remove any excess moisture. Dig a small hole in the potting soil and place the root ball inside. Add soil around the base of the plant and gently pat it down.Depending on the size of your terrarium, you may be able to add multiple plants. Also, consider adding decorative sand, moss, or objects to your taste.Step #5: Cover and PlacePlace your terrarium top onto the base and place it in a sunny spot in your home.Where You Can Get Your Own TerrariumNow that you know how to put a terrarium together, you probably want to know where to find one. Well, NatureHills.com, of course!Leadhead Glass uniquely crafts each one of our terrariums. Using reclaimed glass and wood to bring modern eco-friendly beauty into your home. Visit the link below to get yours today!