deer resistant plants

Exotic fruit in your own backyard? Introducing the Pawpaw! Pawpaw trees are native, tropical-looking fruit trees that many have not heard about just yet! A remarkably cold-hardy and disease-resistant tree that grows large, edible, custardy-textured fruit that is to die for! Their deep root systems mean they are also drought-resistant! Living to around 40 years of age, The largest North American fruit, the native Asimina are also deer-resistant and pest-free! Pawpaws thrive in moist, fertile, well-drained soils that have a pH of 5.5 to 7.0, making them fantastic worry-free trees for you to include in your orchard! Creamy Tropical & Healthy Fruit! Choosing the Pawpaw for Your Landscape Pawpaw Pollination Pawpaw Tree Care Tropical Delights! Creamy Tropical & Healthy Fruit! Forming large oval fruit with smooth skin, occasionally with a glaucous dusting over the orange, yellow, green, or pink skin, Pawpaw fruit have large brown seeds that are easy to remove, leaving behind the custard-like pulp that is rich and creamy! Use the flesh for healthy baked goods, churn into ice cream, serve fresh over yogurt and cereal, whiz up into smoothies, and spoon straight out of the rind! With a flavor likened to bananas, mango, and other tropical fruit.  In addition to tasting good, they are full of nutrients and vitamins we need like Vitamin C and B6, magnesium, potassium, iron, and more! Pawpaw fruit ripens at various times in the fall depending upon the cultivar and the location they are being grown. Generally, you would begin harvesting Pawpaw fruit in midsummer through the first frost. You can tell your fruit are ripe and ready to pick when the skin has achieved maximum coloration and a bit of a blush in some varieties. The fruit should have a slight give when pressed (like an Avocado) and have a slight exotic fragrance. You can also leave the fruit on the tree until it softens for maximum flavor. Pawpaws produce a gas called ethylene when ripening, similar to Apples, and can make other fruit and vegetables ripen faster as well. In nature, Pawpaw fruits simply fall from the tree when they are ripe, but Pawpaws can also be handpicked from the tree slightly under-ripe and still ripen well! Just like Pears and other fruit that ripen off the tree, you can speed ripening by placing them in a brown paper bag. Choosing the Pawpaw for Your Landscape Nature Hills offers filters to make your shopping experience convenient. Use our USDA planting zone filters, choose sun exposure levels, height preferences, and more! These late-season treats add a tropical flair to northern growers' orchards. Many seed-grown Pawpaw trees can take 5-8 years to bear fruit, while grafted trees require much less. Nature Hills ships plants that are 3-5 years old, so you won’t wait as long before enjoying your first harvest! Among the many fantastic features of this easy-care native selection, you will also enjoy a touch of bright fall foliage and a long-lasting shade tree! Pawpaw Pollination Pawpaw’s unique blooms have 6 reddish brown petals and range from red to purple. These blooms are pollinated by beetles and flies, however, these trees are not the best at pollinating themselves and will need a pollinator partner. But, this prevents your tree from being inundated by the enormous fruits - some of which can range from 7 oz. to as much as 2 lbs, depending on the variety! Because Pawpaw trees are not considered to be self-pollinating, we suggest planting either two seedlings (native) varieties or two different grafted varieties in close proximity. Many prefer to plant two plants in the same planting hole so they can easily pollinate each other. Pawpaw trees now have many size options available to you and they respond well to pruning so that any sized landscape can accommodate one or multiple trees for increased pollination. Maroon-centered male flowers are upside down, while female flowers are larger and have green centers. As mentioned earlier, bees are not attracted to the Pawpaw tree's flowers, instead, they attract beetles, flies, and other insects. However, these are not the most efficient at pollination. Many Pawpaw growers prefer to take a small paintbrush and collect pollen from the male flowers and deposit it into a baggie Then transfer that pollen to the female flowers with the brush. You can either transfer pollen from the same tree, or from different varieties of Pawpaw trees. Pawpaw Tree Care Pawpaws produce fruit the best in full sun but do tolerate partial shade. These hardy native trees tolerate almost any kind of soil type so long as it is well-drained. Doing best in soil that is moderately moist, once established, Pawpaws are quite drought tolerant.  The soil should be slightly acidic with a pH of 5.5-7 and planted in deep, fertile soil. Pawpaws also appreciate a 3-4 inch thick layer of mulch over the root system. Full Sun to Partial Shade Rich Well-Drained Soil Moderate Fertility Appreciates Mulched Sites Prune When Dormant Prune Pawpaw trees when dormant in the late winter or very early spring, Remove crossing branches, open the canopy to air and sun, and maintain size and shape with some annual pruning. Don't be afraid to maintain the plants low-branched to help keep harvesting easier as the plants mature. Tropical Delights! You’ll love the tropical look of these eye-catching trees and their tropical fruit! Add a late-season fruit to your orchard today and extend your family’s access to new and unique fruit while enjoying shade, accents and curious blooms for pollinators. With an easy-going nature that is imparted from their native roots, Pawpaw trees are just the ornamental edible landscaping tree that provides you with fall color that is both drought-tolerant and pest-resistant as well! Interested in growing your own Pawpaws? Fruit growing in your own backyard is definitely more valuable and tastes great. Nature Hills has you covered with a wide selection of amazing Paw Paw Trees! Amaze your guests with a tropical-looking tree and its unique, flavorful creamy fruit! Order your new double-duty fruit trees today with the help of Nature Hills Nursery! Happy Planting!

Sophisticated and elegant, the Flowering Dogwood tree starts its delicate spring show making early spring such a special time of year! But did you know that Flowering Dogwood Trees are truly a four-season tree? Learn how to care for these incredible trees so they can continue to bring beauty to your world all year long! All About Dogwood Trees  How to Use Dogwood Trees in the Landscape Notable Dogwood Trees at Nature Hills Nursery Dogwood Tree Care Planting Your New Dogwood Tree Maintenance Tips for Flowering Dogwood Trees Flowering Dogwood Trees Support Wildlife Gorgeous & Easy Care Dogwood Trees! All About Dogwood Trees  Dogwood trees feature small flowers surrounded by very showy bracts that are mistaken as the flowers. They can be rounded with a notched center, or come to a point. The bracts stay showy for several weeks before the rounded button of true flowers in the center develops into a raspberry-shaped berry in fall. Flowering Dogwood leaves are attractive. The foliage emerges bronzy or reddish on many cultivars and matures to green. They grow to about 5 inches long and about 2 inches wide. The undersides are a pale green. Foliage is oval, and the prominent veins curve out from a strong mid-rib. The fall foliage color varies but is spectacular red, burgundy, and to red-purple leaf tones that develop as the fall temperatures come on in the late season! The distinctive bark is rough and gray, with a finely-blocked texture portrayed evenly along the trunk. It adds a lot of interest in wintertime. You'll swear it looks like your tree is wearing alligator-skin boots.  Everyone loves a graceful Dogwood tree! How to Use Dogwood Trees in the Landscape Flowering Dogwood trees (Including Cornus florida, Cornus kousa, and the many cultivars and hybrids) at Nature Hills are available in many sizes, colors, and shapes! You’ll find a wonderful selection of Dogwood trees for you to choose from! Their relatively small size and high volume of flowers make them a popular landscaping choice for specimens and focal points. Mix Dogwood tree bloom colors for a custom look in an informal grouping. Place the darker red Dogwood trees further away from your home, and the palest blooms closest for a big boost of intrigue and visual interest. Featuring a sophisticated form and a wide span of flower colors - from an endearing pure white to incredible scarlet red! Vibrant modern cultivars are coming out of top university breeding programs all the time! The striking beauty of this very recognizable tree gets the attention of homeowners and landscapers. The gray bark adds interest to the winter landscape. Notable Dogwood Trees at Nature Hills Nursery The beautiful Cherokee Brave Dogwood is a darling pink-flowering Dogwood tree that is low maintenance and has improved pest resistance, disease resistance, and drought tolerance! Flowers, gorgeous leaves, berries, and fall color too! Rutgers University has brought the truly special Scarlet Fire® Rutgers Japanese Dogwood. Fuchsia-pink flowers, and burgundy fall foliage color, this pink selection brings disease-resistance and very eye-catching accents to your landscape. Ragin' Red Dogwood is an incredible variety that delivers a brick-red flower display in spring. Combined with bold mixed fall color, you can't go wrong with Ragin' Red. Little Poncho Kousa Flowering Dogwoods stay small, but their white bracts deliver a very large presence as a focal point. This four-season selection works hard in small space gardens and courtyards. Fill a wide-open area on the far side of your pond with cold-hardy Cherokee Princess, a spreading Dogwood tree with horizontal branches. As this pristine white-blooming cultivar ages, it develops into a showy living sculpture. She might look dainty, but the white flowers of Cherokee Princess bloom on a cold-hardy Dogwood tree that survives winter down to growing zone 4. That's Minneapolis-style cold. Stellar Pink Dogwood is an upright variety that brings a romantic look to your landscape. The pink-blushed bracts line the layered branches for an exquisite spring show. Dogwood Tree Care Flowering Dogwood trees are modestly-sized deciduous trees that are the best-known harbingers of spring. On average, Flowering Dogwood trees grow faster with at least four hours of direct sunlight a day, and they love the morning sun with some protection from the afternoon sun. Their root systems need well-drained soil that doesn't stay wet for long. Although the moderate growth rate translates to roughly one foot a year. Plant in well-drained soils that have regular access to moisture. Include Nature Hills Root Booster for the life-long support of a healthy root system.  Dogwood trees thrive in full sun to partial shade Blissfully easy to maintain For the most part, Dogwood trees flourish in almost any type of well-drained soil Dogwood prefers a soil pH between 5.5 and 7.0 Regular moisture while establishing, then are quite drought-tolerant Appreciate mulched beds of arborist bark chips Planting Your New Dogwood Tree Properly located Dogwood trees can live up to 80 years of age. Taking the time and these key steps during planting makes all the difference to young trees while ensuring reliable floral displays every spring in your landscape! Once you’ve received your new Dogwood tree, unpack it and get it some fresh air in a shady location or your garage.  To get them fully hydrated after their trip, submerge your new tree's root system until bubbles stop coming to the surface While your tree is soaking, dig your planting hole twice as wide as the roots, but no deeper We highly encourage using Nature Hills Root Booster for lifelong symbiotic root support Remember not to plant Dogwood too deep. Keep them at the same level at which they were growing at the nursery Tap your Dogwood tree out of its nursery container, and settle it in the planting hole Firmly backfill soil around your tree to eliminate air pockets at the root zone Then saturate the ground around your new tree Mulch over the root zone to a depth of 3 feet. Spread the mulch out to 3 feet outside the canopy, then pull it back away from the main trunk.  For best results, plant your Dogwood where there is good air circulation, and provide morning sun to dry the leaves. Water at the roots to keep the foliage as dry as possible. It’s important to use good sanitation when cleaning up fall foliage. This is important since improperly planted Dogwood trees are susceptible to anthracnose. Maintenance Tips for Flowering Dogwood Trees Get the best results by brushing up on planting and growing tips for Dogwood trees In colder climates, Dogwood trees will tolerate a bit more direct sun in a mulched setting Dogwood trees perform best with the morning sun to dry their foliage and afternoon shade They love a breezy area at the edge of a woodland. Keep them consistently moist, but never in standing water Maintain consistent soil moisture for the tree's first year in its new location.  Fertilize your Dogwood tree with a good slow-release fertilizer according to the application rates on the package.  Site your Dogwood tree where you won't need to do regular pruning for size control. Give them plenty of space, as they can be slow to heal from pruning. You will, however, want to correct the form as needed after flowering. Prune if necessary in late winter or after blooming in spring to remove crossing branches and water growth, or to control the shape. Flowering Dogwood Trees Support Wildlife In addition to their beautiful ornamental look, flowering Dogwood trees support beneficial pollinators that gather nectar from the tiny true flowers. Watch for the fabulous Cecropia Silk Moth to use Dogwood as their caterpillar Host Plants to lay their eggs on. After the flowers finish, its red fruits are a food source for songbirds and other wildlife from fall through winter. While the Cornus florida is a beautiful landscape plant, it is also an important wildlife tree. Squirrels, deer, and some 28 bird species eat the fruit. The bright red fall fruit has a fun, bumpy look, but you need to keep an eye out for songbirds that flit from branch to branch as they snatch the ripe fruit, although the fruit may occasionally persist through December for lovely winter interest. Gorgeous & Easy Care Dogwood Trees! So don’t wait any longer! You'll never regret adding these incredible flowering trees to your landscape! We'll ship it when the time is right for planting. Dogwoods can be successfully planted in summer, but you'll need to keep a close eye on their hydration. Find healthy, gorgeous Dogwood trees for sale at NatureHills.com. Place your order today! Happy Planting!

Ginkgo trees (Ginkgo biloba) are survivors from prehistoric times, making them one of the most unique tree species available. These deciduous trees could be considered a 'living fossil' since the earliest Ginkgo leaf fossils date back 270 million years ago! You’ll find several types of Ginkgo trees right here at Nature Hills Nursery, allowing you to own one of these exceptional beauties! No other plants are genetically similar to the Ginkgo tree, although their beautiful leaves resemble Maidenhair Fern. As a vibrant tree with fan-shaped leaves, their foliage stays bright green in summer, then turns a brilliant shade of gold in the fall. Ginkgo leaves are designed to catch the wind. Long petioles help the fan-shaped leaves lift and sway in breezy weather. You'll have a spectacular fall color show each year. It's even more jaw-dropping because the romantic golden foliage falls to the ground all at once, as if in concert. Imagine a shade tree that is that easy to clean up, and only getting out the rake once a year. Now that's a convenient shade tree! There is rhyme to the syncopated rhythm of the Ginkgo tree's dramatic leaf drop. Each year, all the petioles develop their annual scar in response to cold weather. Plan a party to celebrate this special event, or consider taking annual photos of your family under the Ginkgo tree on the fallen carpet of delectable color.  Different Types of Ginkgo Trees Design Ideas for Glamorous Ginkgo Trees Planting and Care Tips for Ginkgo Biloba Trees Planting Your New Ginkgo! A Legacy For Generations! Different Types of Ginkgo Trees Ginkgo trees are long-lived, strong and hardy enough to handle the forces of nature. The trees are dioecious, meaning some trees produce exclusively male flowers while others show only female flowers and like other gymnosperms, Ginkgo trees are wind-pollinated.  Ginkgo trees can withstand strong winds and grow in various soil types (including compacted soils). Full-grown Ginkgo trees are drought tolerant when fully established. Rugged Ginkgo also does well in urban environments. Native to China, Ginkgo trees have been found that are over 1800 years old. They put up with wind, air pollution, tough sites, full sun, and a wide range of hot, dry climates. Ginkgo biloba trees are grown from seed and tend to produce more female trees than male. Modern grafted cultivars produce whichever gender is desired. The fruitless male Ginkgo tree has some of the most spectacular fall color. It's also a snap to grow! For a fuss-free variety, buy the remarkably low-maintenance male cultivar. This means there are no fruit or seeds. As you can imagine, male cultivars like the Princeton Sentry Ginkgo or the Autumn Gold Ginkgo are among the most sought-after Ginkgo varieties for use as shade trees. The Ginkgo tree has a long reproduction cycle, and the Ginkgo flowers may not appear on a female plant for 20 to 25 years. So unless you purchase a male clone, it can be 10 years or more before you know if your Ginkgo biloba is male or female. You'll never worry about the deep tree roots of these magnificent urban-tolerant trees, as they will not lift pavement. City planners love using the Ginkgo as street trees. If you find the golden-yellow Ginkgo leaf appealing, just wait! they are urban tolerant, somewhat salt tolerant, and have good resistance to disease and insect problems! Design Ideas for Glamorous Ginkgo Trees You'll leave a legacy for future generations, no matter which of the Ginkgo varieties you choose. Grace your neighborhood with its attractive foliage and robust nature. The Sky Tower is a strongly columnar Ginkgo that turns into a glowing exclamation point in the fall. Use this charming narrow tree in tight spaces, where the large Ginkgo biloba won't fit. Sky Tower is another male clone that displays a vertical growth habit. Keep it as a lawn specimen in a mulched bed, or march a proud row of them along your front sidewalk. Smaller male Troll Ginkgo trees make a very fun statement. Try them in a courtyard, or grow them in a large outdoor container for many years on your balcony. Large Ginkgo trees for sale can be used to accent a corner of your property. Create a destination spot near a fire pit. You'll be hard-pressed to determine which is brighter: the fire or the glowing Ginkgo leaf. In some years, the leaves grow to six inches long for a memorable landscape feature. The fallen leaves have been said to make a great tea and the nuts inside the, albeit stinky, female Ginkgo fruit can be carefully removed with gloves, cleaned, roasted, and eaten as an occasional treat! Planting and Care Tips for Ginkgo Biloba Trees Please read the Plant Highlights on every product page. You'll learn which USDA growing zones work best for different Ginkgo varieties, along with sun exposure and soil type requirements. Ginkgo cultivars can be grown across the United States from chilly USDA growing zones 3 to the mild winters of hardiness zone 9.  Nature Hills Nursery is excited to offer several Ginkgo biloba varieties to continue the tradition of these impeccable classics that fit beautifully into modern life! Ginkgo trees thrive in full sun to partial shade Blissfully easy to maintain For the most part, Ginkgo trees flourish in almost any type of well-drained soil Ginkgo prefers a soil pH of 5 to 5.5 Regular moisture while establishing, then are quite drought-tolerant Appreciate mulched beds of arborist bark chips Planting Your New Ginkgo! Taking the time and these key steps during planting makes all the difference to young trees and ensures your tree will last for generations in your landscape! Once you’ve received your new Ginkgo tree, unpack it and get it some fresh air in a shady location or your garage.  To get them fully hydrated, soak your new Ginkgo tree root system under water until the air bubbles stop coming to the surface While your tree is soaking, dig your planting hole twice as wide as the roots, but no deeper We highly encourage using Nature Hills Root Booster for lifelong symbiotic root support Decide which direction the tree will face your home before you remove it from the container Tap your Ginkgo tree out of its nursery container, and settle it in the planting hole Firmly backfill soil around your tree to eliminate air pockets at the root zone Then saturate the ground around your new tree Mulch over the root zone to a depth of 3 feet. Spread the mulch out to 3 feet outside the canopy, then pull it back away from the main trunk.  Maintain consistent soil moisture for the tree's first year in its new location. Fertilize your Ginkgo tree with a good slow-release fertilizer. Please follow the application rates on the package. A bit of patience is required when growing Ginkgo trees as they are a bit slow to get started. Pruning is generally not required. Remove broken limbs as needed in late winter or early spring. A Legacy For Generations! Go ahead and make a tremendous visual impact on your landscape today with the formidable Ginkgo tree from NatureHills.com! For your home’s curb appeal, shade your yard, and add a gilded touch to your autumn, the Ginkgo is the tree for all landscaping uses! Ginkgo biloba is also a fantastic gift plant to celebrate a new beginning, a new home, a new baby, or as, a Unity Tree Ceremony at your wedding, to remember the life of a loved one, or to commemorate the life and legacy of something or someone special! The Ginkgo is a solemn and lasting memorial. Review the types of Ginkgo trees we have available, and then pick the one that works best for you. Count on the beauty and durability of ancient Ginkgo trees, expertly grown by Nature Hills Nursery. Place your order today! Happy Planting!

  We love those verdant mounding flowering perennials and their clumps of green foliage. Gush over all those gorgeous blooms throughout the spring or summer. But they don’t quite look so lush and healthy by late summer and fall. It’s this time of year, right after a frost, that Nature Hills gets flooded with upset and frantic calls from worried customers and novice gardeners. “Help! My perennials are dead!” Nature Hills Nursery is here to calm your worries and fears and assure you that those Perennials live up to their name and will return once again in the spring! Bigger and better than before! All About Tender and Herbaceous Perennials Perennials in the Fall Getting Perennials ready for winter Getting Perennials ready in hot climates Bigger & Better Every Year Tender and Herbaceous Perennial Plants All tender perennial plants, early-blooming perennials, and spring bulbs go dormant as soon as the winter's chill seeps into the air and into the ground. Even sending trees, and shrubs into dormancy as well, however, some perennial foliage does it with far less colorful fanfare. Their leaves are instead lush and green one moment, then dead-looking after that overnight frost. Tender and herbaceous perennials have high water content in their stems and leaves, and very little to no lignin - which enhances plant cell wall rigidity and makes stems woody and more durable as is how it is in shrubs and trees. That fleshy foliage means that after one frost, your Astilbe are yellowing or already dried and tan, Hostas look limp like the lettuce you forgot about in the back of the fridge, Daylilies are sprawled out all over the ground like cooked spinach, and your Bleeding Hearts and Columbines may have been MIA since that August heat wave. It’s a completely natural process and happens every year, give or take a few weeks because of Ma Natures' fickle temperament. Many varieties of Perennials and spring ephemerals planted in cooler and hot growing zones alike almost melt with the onset of warmer weather. They enter a summer dormancy period during the intense heat, only to return when things cool off again. Unfortunately, there are few evergreen perennial plants available unless you live in a frost-free warm winter climate. All we can hope for is an early snowfall to cover the entire garden crime scene up for the winter! Since fall is a great time to plant trees, shrubs, spring-flowering bulbs, and perennials alike, and if temperatures allow, Nature Hills is still shipping plants throughout the country. But even these perennials, like Bleeding Hearts, that ship out of our colder region nurseries are arriving having already had their fall haircuts and their fleshy, tender foliage ‘missing’. But fear not, there’s still a healthy, thriving, albeit sleeping root system alive and well in that pot of dirt that just arrived at your doorstep. Rest assured, your herbaceous Perennials are going to come back with the spring's warmth to start over again! Your plants have been growing and blooming all growing season and deserve a much-needed rest and vacation after all their hard work! For now, all we can do is give them the support they need to sleep safely and erupt into spring bigger and better than ever before! Putting Your Perennials Down For Winter Naps The key to ensuring your Perennial's survivability over the winter is to first have selected hardy plants rated for your USDA Hardiness Zone. Hopefully, you have watered them religiously during their first growing season so they didn’t dry out and now have a sizeable root system beneath the ground. Lastly, you’ve ensured your Perennials enjoyed a midsummer application of fertilizer. Once fall arrives all you have left to do is give them a little TLC in their convalescence. Getting Perennials Ready for Winter Prune back dead above-ground leaves and branching for most types of tender perennials. This prevents heavy snow from packing leaf matter down over the crown, which is sitting just below the soil's surface, from being choked out or smothered. Some perennials are excellent candidates for being left intact for winter interest and their seeds feed birds and wildlife in the landscape. Perennials like Sedums or Black-Eyed Susans are fantastic sturdy plants to catch and sculpt the snow. Leaving some perennials in place also offer protection and a place to overwinter for beneficial insects, especially in your pollinator garden! Leaving perennials up for the winter also catches snow to insulate and add moisture to the soil. Other perennials that may have suffered some issues during the growing season (like botrytis on Peonies, mildew on Bee Balm, or insects in Iris) and should be cut down and removed before winter. Removing diseased plant debris will prevent the problem from overwintering and help to break the cycle. So when in doubt, if your plant was mildew laden or diseased you should consider cutting it down and removing the debris from your landscape.  Avoid fertilizing your perennial plants in the fall, as their final application of fertilizer should have been in mid-summer. However, autumn is a good time to work in a few inches of compost around your garden beds. As the compost and mulch slowly break down, they release nutrients into the soil while improving the soil structure. Many Perennials and Ornamental Grasses may benefit from being divided to keep the clump smaller and increase vigorous; preventing them from dying out in the center. Some spread faster than others but take a look at your plants, and every third year or so they may need to be reduced. (Free plants for your garden or your neighbors!) Water your perennials in well so their roots don’t go through winter dry. Right up until the ground freezes solid, water weekly if there hasn’t been significant rainfall or snow cover. Lastly, give them a winter's blanket of arborist bark chips. Being sure not to pile it up against their stems, layer a 3-4 inch thick bed of mulch to hold in moisture and add insulation to the roots. The best time to mulch is after you’ve had a couple of good frosts or a hard freeze. So, if your mulch layer is getting light, fall is a great time for a refresh! Kick back inside your warm home and plan for next spring. Ma Nature will take care of the rest. Gardeners in hot climates will notice their Bleeding Hearts and other tender early-blooming Perennials, as well as spring ephemerals, all take a break once the summer sun reaches its peak. Dying back during summer dormancy to escape the hot sun and the stress of drought and temperatures. Again, completely normal, especially during a drought. Trim away and remove the yellowed or dead foliage as noticed. Water your perennials regularly, and our Horticulturist recommends using the Finger Test Method to ensure you are not over or under-watering. Perennials may benefit from early spring fertilization if you notice your plants have reduced vigor or bloom. Many extension offices offer soil testing to know if your soil is lacking in nutrients.  Top off the area with 3-4 inches of arborist mulch if you haven’t already to retain soil moisture, prevent erosion and keep the soil from being exposed to the worst of the elements. Hot climate Perennials and Ornamental Grasses also benefit from division every few years to keep the clump smaller and more vigorous. Also to stop the centers from being choked out. Garden Markers Since most herbaceous Perennials like Bleeding Hearts, die back completely to the ground, it can be difficult to know where they are in the garden, so many folks mark their perennials with flags, painted stones, a plant name tag or other types of garden marker, even using colorful glass pebbles glued onto golf tee placed strategically by your perennial roots. For plants to leave some stems behind, you can trim these back to a few inches and let their buzz cut show you where they are in the landscape. That way when the snows finally pass and you still have a bare spot in the garden, you don’t get ahead of yourself and accidentally dig up your late-emerging perennial to replace it! Fear Not - They Shall Return! For gardeners like myself, the end of the growing season can be a sad time of year but we can be bolstered by the knowledge that spring will come again with bigger, brighter blooms! Knowing that our Perennial plants are enjoying a much-deserved vacation - helps with the heartbreak. Nature Hills Nursery is here to ensure you receive the biggest, healthiest root systems and therefore highest quality plants so that you can enjoy year after year of beauty in your landscape as a result of all your hard work! Check out all the Perennial garden plants we offer and place your spring garden order today! Happy Planting!

If you’re like us then you’re jumping -with a bowl full of jelly- for the nearing holiday season! Instead of being bogged down with the stress of picking out the perfect present, check out our favorites that they are sure to love too! We have gifts for plant enthusiasts, foodies, and novice growers alike. These selections are sure to satisfy the wishes of everyone on your gifting list! Our 8 Favorite Holiday Gifts 1. Deluxe PopUp Garden Easily accessible and fit for the smallest of spaces, the Deluxe PopUp Garden is excellent for just about any location you’d like- small balcony, grillside, or indoors! Edible gardening is in reach. The Deluxe PopUp Garden is assembled, adjustable, and configured just for your liking. Trade hours of assembling on Christmas Day for set up in just minutes! Give the gift that keeps on growing this holiday season! 2. The Entertainer Meat & Cheese Gift Box A gift that not only they will enjoy but others can too! Locally sourced with a delicious variety of snacks, this gift box is sure to be a hit. Perfect for placing on a charcuterie board when entertaining guests or for pairing with a glass of wine on a stay-at-home Saturday night. Whether you’re gifting to someone with sweet or savory taste, the Entertainer Meat & Cheese Gift Box has it all! 3. Terrarium Kits Next up, one of our personal favorites, Terrarium Kits! The perfect blend of a sleek and modern structure with an eclectic, greenhouse interior. Made out of reclaimed glass and wood from deconstructed homes in Detroit, MI, these kits are eco-friendly and a great example of reusing and recycling locally sourced materials. If you know someone who may need to add a pop of color to their desk, bedroom or living space, gift a Terrarium Kit and watch it transform the space! 4. Le Peppe Wood Fired Pizza Oven Okay, who doesn’t love pizza? The Le Peppe Wood Fired Pizza Oven is a great gift for the beginner chef or pizza connoisseur on your list. Better yet, it’s portable! Get fresh, delicious, home cooked pizza anywhere you’d like. Spice it up with home grown vegetables, herbs or even fruit found at NatureHills.com. Enjoy family time with a fun, interactive cooking environment! The most important gifts are the ones that bring people together, especially when it’s for pizza! 5. Kokedamas With so many fun, quirky options to choose from, how could you go wrong with a Kokedama! Even better, the plant has its roots and soil bundled in a ball of moss and wrapped in twine or string, so there’s no need for a pot or container. Kokedamas are forgiving and easy-going plants that are long-lasting and low-maintenance. Head on over to NatureHills.com for more Kokedama care tips and information! With a rich history, the Kokedama is the perfect conversation starter! If you know someone whose office space could use a refresh and is always on the go, give the gift of a Kokedama this year.  6. E-Gift Certificate Need a last minute gift that is equally as exciting? Give the gift of nature with a NatureHills.com E-Gift Certificate! That way, the plant enthusiast in your life can choose from our wide selection of items and (an added bonus) you won’t have to worry about the hassle of returns. While every one of our items is amazing (at least in our opinion), they’ll be able to pick something especially to their liking! You’re able to choose amounts of $25, $50, $100 or $250. When tempted with plant money, we could spend IT ALL and they are sure to as well!   7. Outdoor/Indoor Fireplaces  Bring warmth into an indoor/outdoor setting with our wide selection of high quality fireplaces. Designed especially for those seeking a modern style for their home or landscape. Our selection uses clean-burning bio-ethanol fuel, unlike any contemporary or gas fireplace. These fireplaces are low maintenance and you’ll never have to worry about safety. Any time is a good time to snuggle up with your loved ones (especially the Christmas season) next to a roaring fire. Any of our fireplaces are sure to keep you warm & bring tidings of comfort and joy for years to come! 8. Fashion Amaryllis  Tucked in with cozy, festive packaging, the Fashion Amaryllis will surely impress with its soon-to-emerge blooms. Also, it comes in three different styles: Santa Clause, Reindeer, and Snowman! Amaryllis blossoms in winter and can be enjoyed for weeks. Don’t be fooled by their initial appearance, these amaryllis bulbs will form flowers nearly 2 feet tall! Be sure to purchase a few weeks before you plan to gift so the recipient can enjoy glorious blooms from day one! Enjoy The Most Wonderful Time of the Year! Now that you’ve found something for everyone on your gifting list, you can sit back and enjoy the Christmas season! And when it comes time, you will be able to see their faces light up after receiving your wonderful, thoughtful gifts found exclusively at NatureHills.com! Happy Shopping!