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What Nature Hills is
Nature Hills Nursery is an online plant nursery selling trees, shrubs, roses, perennials, fruit plants and some houseplants. On its About page, the company says it began in 2001 when two brothers opened a local conifer shop, then moved online as customers asked for more than evergreens. Its contact page lists Nature Hills Nursery, Inc. with a mailing address in Avon, Ohio. The homepage says plants are grown and shipped from the company's Ohio farm, and the About page describes a 1,000-acre Midwest nursery plus a network of growing partners.
The store runs on Shopify at naturehills.com and ships within the US. The homepage says it serves 46 states, and each plant has its own list of states it can't ship to. The homepage claims more than 2,000 trees, shrubs and perennials, and when we checked, about 1,500 plant and size options were in stock. Plants started at $19.99 for a quart perennial and went up to $289.99 for a larger container tree.
What makes it different
A guarantee that covers the real risk of mail-order plants
Buying a living thing by mail is the main risk here, and Nature Hills puts its guarantee up front. The free Growing & Glowing Guarantee covers eligible plants for 45 days from delivery. If a plant arrives damaged or dead, or fails to thrive because of a quality issue, you choose a replacement with free shipping, store credit that never expires, or a full refund. Nature Hills says there's no restocking or processing fee for any option, and nothing to ship back.
Shipping timed to the weather
Nature Hills says it won't ship when temperatures in your area are below 32°F, or when the delivery route is below 25°F or above 95°F. In spring, it waits until it's confident your last frost has passed. That protects the plant, but it means a spring order can sit for weeks before it ships. The site's shipping calendar lists typical frost dates by zone.
State compliance built in
Nature Hills uses Plant Sentry, a compliance service that blocks plants your state restricts, such as invasive species or plants under pest quarantine. Product pages list the states a plant can't ship to. For example, Annabelle Hydrangea doesn't ship to AK, HI, ID, MT, PR or VI. Each product page also asks for your ZIP code and flags plants rated outside your hardiness zone. That matters because planting outside your zone voids the guarantee.
An optional one-year add-on
At checkout you can add Growing & Glowing Guarantee Plus, which extends coverage to one year from delivery for every eligible plant in the order. Its price depends on your cart and appears before you pay. The catch is the remedy: under Plus, a failed plant earns store credit for its cost plus free shipping on your next order, not a cash refund. It covers properly planted and cared-for plants only, so it makes the most sense on a large or costly order.
The product range
Each plant comes in one or more container sizes, and the size drives the price more than anything else. A larger container means an older plant with more roots, not a different variety. Prices below are the lowest in-stock price we saw for each plant.
| Product | What it is | From | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
Annabelle Hydrangea | White-flowering smooth hydrangea rated for zones 3–9; quart $19.99, #1 $27.71, #2 $56.57, #3 $68.27. | $19.99 | Beginners in cold climates who want big summer blooms |
Autumn Blaze Maple Tree | Fast-growing red maple hybrid sold as a 4–5 ft tree in a #3 container. | $119 | Homeowners who want a shade tree with fall color |
Eastern Redbud | Native flowering tree; 1–2 ft in a #1 container or 4–5 ft in a #3 container. | $49.92 | Native-plant gardeners with a sunny spot |
Private Jet Arborvitae | Evergreen for screening, sold as a 3–4 ft plant in a #3 container (smaller sizes were out of stock). | $99.40 | Buyers planting a privacy hedge |
Chandler Blueberry Bush | Blueberry shrub; #1 container on sale and a larger #3 container. | $24.44 | Home fruit growers with acidic soil |
Snow Fountain Weeping Cherry | Weeping flowering cherry, 3–4 ft in a #3 container; on Weekly Specials at 50% off when checked. | $68.94 | Small yards that want a spring focal point |
Pink Muhly Grass | Native ornamental grass with pink fall plumes, sold in quart containers. | $19.99 | Mass plantings and quart bundles |
Starting prices as listed on naturehills.com on Oct 27, 2026.
Current offers
Nature Hills discounts through automatic quart bundles, a rotating Weekly Specials page, free shipping at $199 and a points program. We didn't see a public coupon code on the site.
- UP TO 15% OFF
Quart bundle: mix 4, 8 or 12 quart plants for 5%, 10% or 15% off
Mix any quart-size plants from the Quarts collection: 4 quarts get 5% off, 8 get 10% off and 12 get 15% off plus free shipping. Savings apply automatically at checkout, with no code. Quart plants are the smallest size, 6 months to 1 year old, per the brand.
- UP TO 50% OFF
Weekly Specials on selected plants
Rotating markdowns, mostly 15–20% off, measured against Nature Hills' own regular prices. When we checked, the deepest was Snow Fountain Weeping Cherry, #3 container, 3–4 ft, at $68.94 (regularly $137.87). Discounts often apply to one container size only. No end date is published.
- FREE SHIPPING
Free shipping on orders of $199+
Below $199, shipping is tiered: $9.99 under $50, $14.99 for $50–$99.99, $16.99 for $100–$149.99 and $24.99 for $150–$198.99. Live plants can't ship to P.O. boxes, and some plants can't ship to some states.
- $20 OFF
Refer a friend: they get $20 off $175, you get $25 off
Through the Good Nature Club. Your friend gets $20 off a first purchase of $175 or more, and you get $25 off for each successful referral.
- REWARDS
Good Nature Club points: 100 points = $5
Free to join. You earn 1 point per $1 spent, plus 25 points on your first purchase and on your birthday. Redeem 100 points for $5, up to $200 for 4,000 points. Points can cover up to half of a purchase. Higher spending tiers earn up to 2x points.
Offers change often; Nature Hills Nursery's site has the final terms. We list a code only when Nature Hills Nursery publishes it.
All Nature Hills Nursery deals and policies on one page
The Wary Check
Nature Hills passes five of six checks. The miss is returns: live plants can't be sent back. The 45-day guarantee covers quality problems instead.
5 of 6 checks passedScored only from Nature Hills Nursery's published policies, checked Oct 27, 2026. It measures how safe the purchase is, not product quality. About the Wary Check
Price and value
The headline prices are only part of the cost. The two things to understand are container size and shipping.
Container size is plant age, not height. Nature Hills explains that its container numbers are nursery trade sizes, not gallons. By its guide, a quart plant is 6 months to 1 year old, while a #3 container is 3 to 4 years old. Some listings add a height, such as a 4–5 ft Autumn Blaze maple, but many don't. The hero photos often show the mature plant, so judge what arrives by the size tier you choose.
| Plant | Size option | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Annabelle Hydrangea | Quart | $19.99 |
| Annabelle Hydrangea | #1 Container | $27.71 |
| Annabelle Hydrangea | #2 Container | $56.57 |
| Annabelle Hydrangea | #3 Container | $68.27 |
| Eastern Redbud | #1 Container, 1–2 ft | $49.92 |
| Eastern Redbud | #3 Container, 4–5 ft | $97.90 |
| Autumn Blaze Maple | #3 Container, 4–5 ft | $119.00 |
| Snow Fountain Weeping Cherry | #3 Container, 3–4 ft (sale) | $68.94 (regularly $137.87) |
Shipping adds up on small orders. Shipping costs $9.99 under $50 and climbs to $24.99 for orders of $150–$198.99. Orders of $199 or more ship free. A single $27.71 #1 hydrangea really costs $37.70 delivered. One way around this is the quart bundle: 12 quarts get 15% off and ship free, which suits anyone filling a bed with perennials.
Sale "regular price" figures are measured against Nature Hills' own list prices. There's no subscription. The optional Growing & Glowing Guarantee Plus is a one-time add-on priced at checkout, based on the plants in your cart.
Shipping, returns and warranty
The point most reviews skip: you can't return a live plant, even if you change your mind. Nature Hills cites agricultural rules and asks you not to refuse a delivery. Instead, claims go through the guarantee and are settled from photos. The deadline is strict: send photos within 7 days of noticing a problem, while the plant is still covered, and each plant gets only one replacement. There's useful timing news too. Because orders delivered after October 15 are covered through May 1, a fall order like one placed today gets a full winter and spring to show whether it survived.
Expect dormant stock at this time of year. Nature Hills says many trees, shrubs and perennials ship without leaves in fall, winter and early spring, and some plants ship bareroot: dug while dormant, kept in cold storage and sent without soil. A bare stick in a box can be a healthy plant. Also note what the guarantee excludes: improper planting or watering, weather extremes, pests or disease after planting, wildlife damage and planting outside your zone. Annuals, bulbs, grass plugs and hard goods aren't covered at all.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free 45-day guarantee from delivery, with a choice of replacement, store credit or full refund and no fees
- Late-season orders delivered after Oct 15 stay covered through May 1
- Clear container-size guide that explains plant age (quart: 6–12 months; #3: 3–4 years)
- Plant Sentry screening blocks plants your state restricts before you order
- Quart bundles take up to 15% off and ship free at 12 plants
Cons
- Shipping costs $9.99–$24.99 on orders under $199
- Live plants can't be returned for a change of mind, and hard goods are final sale
- Many product photos show mature plants; what ships is far smaller (a 4–5 ft maple, a quart perennial)
- Claims need photos within 7 days of noticing a problem, and each plant gets only one replacement
- The optional 1-year Guarantee Plus pays out in store credit only
Who it's for (and who should skip it)
Good fit: the planned, zone-matched planter
If you know your USDA zone, have a planting plan and can order enough to reach $199, Nature Hills gives you a large selection of named cultivars and a fair, fee-free guarantee.
Good fit: the perennial bed filler
The quart bundle (4, 8 or 12 plants for 5%, 10% or 15% off, with free shipping at 12) is the best value on the site for groundcovers, grasses and perennials planted in groups. Quart plants are young, so allow one to two seasons for them to fill in, as the brand's size guide says.
Good fit: the late-fall buyer
Because coverage for orders delivered after October 15 runs through May 1, fall planting carries less risk than usual. If your ground isn't frozen yet and the plant is rated for your zone, an order now gets a full winter and spring of coverage.
Skip it if...
You need one small plant fast, or you want a tall, instant-impact tree on a budget. Shipping and weather holds work against small, urgent orders. A local nursery lets you see the plant before you pay and often takes returns. Skip it too if you can't commit to checking new plants regularly, given the 7-day reporting rule.
Alternatives
Two other large online nurseries handle guarantees and shipping differently.
| Brand | Price | Key difference | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trees.com (formerly FastGrowingTrees.com) | From $19.95 (Thuja Green Giant) | Its Alive & Thrive Guarantee runs one year, but it's a one-time replacement and you pay the replacement shipping. | Visit site |
| Proven Winners Direct | Free shipping at $175+ | It focuses on Proven Winners annuals, perennials and shrubs, and its free-shipping line is lower than Nature Hills' $199. | Visit site |
FAQ
Is Nature Hills Nursery legit?
Yes. Nature Hills Nursery, Inc. says it began in 2001 when two brothers opened a local conifer shop, and it now sells thousands of plants online. It lists a mailing address in Avon, Ohio, a support email and a phone number, and it publishes its guarantee, shipping costs and refund terms in full.
Does Nature Hills have a coupon code?
When we checked, Nature Hills wasn't showing a public coupon code on its site. Its savings were automatic: up to 15% off quart bundles, Weekly Specials up to 50% off selected plants, and free shipping at $199. The Good Nature Club gives points worth $5 per 100, and referred friends get $20 off a first order of $175 or more.
What is the Nature Hills guarantee?
The free Growing & Glowing Guarantee covers eligible plants for 45 days from delivery if they arrive damaged or dead, or fail to thrive because of a quality issue. You choose a replacement with free shipping, store credit that never expires, or a full refund. Send photos within 7 days of noticing the problem. Annuals, bulbs and grass plugs aren't eligible.
Can I return plants to Nature Hills?
No. Nature Hills says agricultural rules and the perishable nature of live plants mean it can't accept returns, exchanges or refused packages. Problems are handled under the 45-day guarantee from your photos, and you keep or compost the plant. Hard goods such as fertilizer and tools are final sale unless they arrive damaged or wrong.
How big are Nature Hills plants when they arrive?
It depends on the container size you choose. Nature Hills says quart plants are 6 months to 1 year old, #1 containers are 1–2 years, #2 are 2–3 years, and #3 are 3–4 years. Some listings give a height, such as a 4–5 ft Autumn Blaze maple. Container numbers are trade sizes, not gallons.
When does Nature Hills ship?
Most orders ship in 3–5 business days, but Nature Hills times shipments to the weather. It won't ship when temperatures in your area are below 32°F, or when the route is below 25°F or above 95°F. In spring it waits until it's confident your last frost has passed. Many trees and shrubs ship dormant in fall, winter and early spring.
Does Nature Hills offer free shipping?
Yes, on orders of $199 or more, and on quart bundles of 12 plants. Below $199 the cost is tiered: $9.99 under $50, $14.99 for $50–$99.99, $16.99 for $100–$149.99 and $24.99 for $150–$198.99. Live plants can't ship to P.O. boxes.
Why can't Nature Hills ship a plant to my state?
Some states restrict certain plants to keep out invasive species, pests and diseases. Nature Hills uses Plant Sentry compliance software to block restricted plants, and each product page lists the states it doesn't ship to. The Annabelle Hydrangea, for example, doesn't ship to AK, HI, ID, MT, PR or VI.
Is Nature Hills worth it?
It's worth it if you buy for your zone, choose the container size on purpose, and order enough to cut shipping. The 45-day guarantee is fair and fee-free. It's less worth it for one small plant, where shipping adds $9.99 or more, or if you expect the mature size shown in product photos.
Final verdict
Nature Hills is a sound choice for buying live plants online, provided you shop with clear expectations. Its guarantee is the strongest part of the offer: 45 days from delivery, extended through May 1 for late-season orders, with a replacement, store credit or refund and no fees. The trade-offs are real. Live plants can't be returned, shipping costs up to $24.99 below $199, weather can delay delivery, and many photos show mature plants rather than what ships. Choose your container size on purpose, batch your order past $199 or use the quart bundle, and photograph any problem within a week. Do that, and Nature Hills is a fair place to buy.
Best current offer
Quart bundle: mix 4, 8 or 12 quart plants for 5%, 10% or 15% off
Nature Hills Nursery · Checked
Sources and update log
Prices, offers and policies come from Nature Hills Nursery's own pages, checked on Oct 27, 2026. Product claims are the brand's own unless we say otherwise.
- Nature Hills homepage naturehills.com
- Nature Hills Growing & Glowing Guarantee naturehills.com/pages/growing-and-glowing-guarantee
- Nature Hills shipping policy naturehills.com/policies/shipping-policy
- Nature Hills refund policy naturehills.com/policies/refund-policy
- Nature Hills contact information naturehills.com/policies/contact-information
- Nature Hills shipping calendar and weather restrictions naturehills.com/pages/weather-restrictions-when-shipping
- Nature Hills About Us naturehills.com/pages/about-us
- Nature Hills FAQs naturehills.com/pages/faqs
- Nature Hills Quarts bundle naturehills.com/collections/quarts
- Nature Hills Weekly Specials naturehills.com/collections/weekly-specials
- Nature Hills Good Nature Club rewards naturehills.com/pages/rewards
- Nature Hills Annabelle Hydrangea (container size guide) naturehills.com/products/hydrangea-annabelle
- Nature Hills Plant Sentry naturehills.com/pages/plant-sentry
- Trees.com Alive & Thrive Guarantee trees.com/pages/alive-thrive-guarantee
- Proven Winners Direct provenwinnersdirect.com
Update log
- First published.
