Winter Shipping
We will continue to ship throughout winter. If you prefer, we are happy to hold your order until spring; please include that request in your shipping notes.
How We Ship
This is how we do it
We take great care to pack your order so that it arrives in excellent condition. However, despite our best efforts, damage may occur due to rough or careless handling. Fortunately, plants are quite resilient and can often recover from a bumpy trip. We are dedicated to your gardening success and are pleased to help you with any concerns.
Please immediately report any damaged plants or problems to Customer Service at info@native-gardeners.com or via https://native-gardeners.com/pages/contact-us
Native Plants & Online Shopping
Native plants have roots that grow anywhere from 2 to 10 feet deep, depending on the species. Some native species will not thrive until they are planted in the ground and allowed to spread their roots. Some of these plants will arrive looking small and with minimal growth; however, the roots are where all the essential action is happening. Once planted, you should see growth within the first two weeks, provided you are giving it the necessary care.
Unpacking Your Plants
Honey I'm Home
Take the plants out of the shipping box, remove the plastic shipping bags, and give them a good watering if they are dry. Your plants are fully rooted and ready to be planted outside in your garden.
For best results, plant perennials as soon as you receive them.
If you're unable to plant them right away, place the plants outside in a location that receives morning sun only (too much afternoon sun can dry out the plants). Check the soil moisture daily; it should be moist but not soggy. Water thoroughly only when necessary. Plant them within 7-10 days of receiving them, at the very latest.
Dormant Plants
Sleepy Time
Some of our plants might arrive dormant, especially at the beginning or end of its season. Most perennial plants go into a dormant state, to preserve energy in the cold temperatures and shorter daylight hours of winter. While these dormant plants may lose their stems and leaves, rest assured that their healthy root system remains well & alive. Even though they may appear dead upon delivery, they will regrow from their strong roots once spring arrives.
We thoroughly inspect dormant plants before shipping to ensure that their roots and crowns are healthy and ready to grow. You will have the best success if you plant dormant plants in your garden immediately. Do not keep them in a pot or provide support. Plants thrive when they "wake up" in the garden, their new home. Dormant perennials will start to grow 2-8 weeks after planting, depending on how quickly the soil warms up in springtime.
Right Plant, Right Place
On Location
Please make sure to select the appropriate site for your plant as it is crucial for its success. Different plants have different requirements, such as water, sunlight, nutrients, and soil. Before planting, review your plants' preferred growing conditions to ensure their success.
Healthy, living soil should have good tilth, nutrient content, and a viable population of beneficial microorganisms. Xeric and very xeric plants require low-fertility soil, while others prefer nutrient-rich soil and may benefit from soil amendments. For the latter, it is recommended to use natural and organic ingredients to prepare the soil and maintain soil fertility. Adequate soil preparation is essential for successful gardening.
Soil drainage is a critical factor to consider when preparing your site. Xeric plants need well-draining soil because the crucial element in well-drained soil is oxygen, which is as important as water for growing healthy plants. Water-logged soil does not drain well and is anaerobic, resulting in drowned and rotted roots. Furthermore, improving drainage not only allows more oxygen to reach plant roots but also results in an earlier start to the planting season due to the fact that it takes more heat to warm up water than it does to warm up the soil.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR XERIC & VERY XERIC PLANTS
These plants do not thrive in soil that is rich in organic matter and retains water. Xeric plants require good soil drainage, particularly in areas with 30" or more rainfall per year (or over the winter months). Soils that retain water (clay, clay-loam, or silty clay) should be improved with coarse sand or gravel to enhance drainage. For raised beds or soil mounds, mix one part soil with one to three parts of drainage material. The higher the rainfall in your region, the more drainage material should be mixed into the soil. Avoid using compost when planting or fertilizing, as continued use can make the soil too rich and water-retentive.
Planting Instructions
Remove From Pot
To remove a plant from its pot, gently squeeze the sides to loosen the soil. Place one hand over the plant and turn the pot upside down. Use your thumb to push against the bottom of the pot until the root ball is freed and the plant drops out. If roots grow through the pot and prevent removal, cut or tear them off; this will not harm the plant. DO NOT pull plants from their pots by tugging on the leaves and stems!
Rough Out The Roots
When preparing to plant a pot-grown plant, it's essential to prepare the roots. Lightly rough out the roots, side, and bottom with your fingertips so the soil ball has a fuzzy surface. (The exception to this is cacti, agave, and dormant plants). You can use a sharp corner of the plastic tag or a pocket knife to make vertical cuts from top to bottom, several on each side of the root ball, and several cuts across the base. Cut into the rootball about 1/4" deep.
Roughing out the roots before planting ensures that they grow widely and vigorously into the surrounding soil and do not continue to grow in the shape of the pot in which they were grown. When roughing out the roots, new roots will grow from each area you cut, giving your new plant a strong foundation for years of healthy growth.
Place In Planting Hole
Place the plant into the hole, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding ground. Gently pat the soil down with your fingers, but don't compact it too much. Do not water the soil before or during planting.
After planting, water the plants several times to settle the soil. Make sure to soak the soil around the planting hole thoroughly. To help your plants grow well, you can spread natural materials like mulch or crushed gravel over the soil surface to reduce evaporation and weed growth.
4" up to 2 Gallons:
We take special care to ensure your new plants arrive safely as possible.
Examples of our packaging:
Step 1: Securing The Soil
Step 2: Protecting the Stems
Step 3: Nice & Cozy
Step 4: Time to Go
5 Gallon
Sending out larger plants requires extra care and preparation, due to their size and weight. We've developed a meticulous packing system designed to optimize the safety of our plants on their way to you.
Our largest shippable plants (up to 5 gallons) are packed bare-root. This minimizes the weight inside the box - preventing plants from getting crushed or boxes from buckling from excess weight of pots and soil. This also means reduced shipping costs for you.
Several measures are taken to protect the bare-root plant. The roots are double wrapped in biodegradable bags in order to help retain moisture, and to prevent the soil from scattering throughout the box. It is then further protected with an inner layer of recycled cellulose padding around the foliage, and an outer layer of cardboard.
Alternatively, when a plant is longer and more susceptible to breakage - we ensure that the entirety of the stem and foliage are protected with an inner layer of paper padding followed by an outer layer of cardboard padding, as shown below.
Step 1: 5 Gallon Plant In Pot
Step 2: Remove The Excess Soil From The Root Ball
Step 3: Secure The Root Ball
Step 4: Wrap The Plant In Cardboard
Step 5: Wrap The Additional Branches To Ensure A Safe Arrival
