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Buying plants isn’t just about picking something that looks good in the nursery. The right source affects plant health, hardiness, and long-term success in your landscape. When you choose reputable US stores or nurseries, you’re more likely to get correctly labeled stock, plants acclimated to local climates, and helpful planting information. Think of it like buying a quality appliance instead of a cheap knockoff — the upfront difference pays off in fewer headaches, less replacement work, and a yard that actually thrives.
Before we dive into where to buy, let’s cover the quick checklist. Look for certified disease-free stock, a clear size or caliper measurement (for trees, usually in inches of trunk diameter), and honest photos or in-person appearance. Also check whether the nursery provides planting depth recommendations, mature height in feet, and watering needs — those details are the roadmap to a healthy landscape.
Plants have preferences: full sun, part shade, or full shade. Match the plant’s requirements to your yard. If your front bed bakes in sun for 8 hours, choose sun-loving shrubs and perennials. If a spot gets less than 4 hours, look at shade-tolerant species. Also pay attention to USDA hardiness zone guidance; it’s a shortcut to whether a plant can survive your winters without extra measures.
Nurseries sometimes sell plants that are 1 to 3 feet tall, but they can mature into giants. Always space shrubs and trees according to their mature width — often expressed in feet — so you’re not constantly pruning to keep them from bumping into sidewalks, houses, or each other. A quick rule: if a shrub’s mature width is 6 feet, plant it at least 6 feet from other large plants.
Even the toughest plants struggle in poor drainage. Know whether your beds hold water or dry out in a day. Amending soil with organic matter or using raised beds can change the equation. When shopping, consider plants labeled “drought-tolerant” if you aim to water less, or choose moisture-loving plants for low areas. Remember to size irrigation in gallons-per-minute terms when designing drip or sprinkler systems.
There’s no single “best” store — your choice depends on convenience, plant selection, budget, and whether you prefer online shopping or in-person selection. Below are reputable US options that cover everything from big-box convenience to specialty mail-order nurseries that ship landscape-ready trees and shrubs.
The Home Depot is a go-to for homeowners who want quick access to a variety of landscaping plants, from annuals and perennials to small trees and hedging shrubs. Many stores stock plants in 1-gallon and 3-gallon sizes and offer curbside or in-store pickup if you prefer to select in person and transport in your truck or SUV. Home Depot also carries soil mixes and bulk mulch measured in cubic feet, which is handy when you’re planning to cover beds measured in square feet.
Lowe’s rivals other big-box retailers with a consistent range of plants and seasonal sales. Their garden centers often include larger specimen shrubs and container-grown trees, usually listed with mature height in feet. Lowe’s also has helpful how-to guides and often runs promotions on landscape fabric, edging, and bulk soil — tools that fit well with your planting plan and make transporting your new shrubs easier if you’re hauling them in a trailer or pickup.
Ace stores are smaller but often partner with local growers, giving you a neighborhood nursery vibe with hands-on staff. If you like a more personal experience and local knowledge about your microclimate, Ace can be a great choice. Many locations stock popular ornamental grasses, drought-tolerant perennials, and landscape bulbs measured in packages by count, ideal for spring or fall planting.
Burpee is a classic mail-order name focused on seeds, seedlings, and compact varieties for home gardeners. If you’re building a pollinator garden, filling borders with perennials, or starting a cottage-style landscape from seed trays, Burpee offers performance-tested cultivars and clear guidance. Seed packets list expected mature height in inches or feet and spacing recommendations, so you can plan bed layouts down to the inch.
For homeowners who want larger, landscape-ready trees shipped to the driveway, Fast Growing Trees is worth checking. They specialize in container-grown specimens and often describe plant size in feet and trunk caliper in inches. Shipping options include balled-and-burlapped or containerized formats — important if you don’t have a truck because many companies will deliver to your curb in a pallet or on a small flatbed truck.
Nature Hills is one of the nation’s largest online nurseries, with a huge selection that includes rare specimens, fruit trees, and native plant collections. Listings usually include mature height in feet, rootstock details, and planting tips. They also sometimes offer variety packs in 1-gallon containers, which is convenient when you’re redoing a bed in linear feet and want consistent spacing.
Monrovia is prized for its nursery-grown stock and cultivar selection. Many garden centers and independent nurseries carry Monrovia plants, which are often tagged with detailed care instructions and mature sizes in feet. If you’re hunting for reliable shrubs for foundation plantings or high-quality perennials for borders, Monrovia’s varieties make planning easier because they’re bred for consistent performance.
Gardener’s Supply Company pairs plant offerings with smart garden gear: raised beds, planters, and tools. They’re a strong choice if you plan to build containers, vertical gardens, or raised beds measured in square feet. While their plant selection is more curated than big-box retailers, the plants and accessories are chosen to work well together — think matching container sizes in gallons and coordinating soil mixes by weight or volume.
Local native nurseries and conservation-minded growers are increasingly important for landscapers who want low-maintenance yards and habitat value. Stores that focus on native plants often provide lists of recommended species by region and measurements in mature height (feet) and spread (feet). Planting natives reduces water needs and supports local pollinators — a small change with big benefits for your yard’s ecosystem.
Native plants are adapted to local rainfall, soil, and pests, so they usually require less watering and fewer chemical inputs. Plus, when you plant natives that bloom at varying times measured across the growing season, you create a continuous food supply for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. That’s one of the easiest ways to turn a tidy lawn into a thriving living space.
Online shopping is fantastic for selection, shipping bigger trees, and buying rare varieties, while in-person shopping lets you inspect foliage, look for pests, and avoid shipping stress. If you order online, choose container-grown stock for easier establishment and check whether the nursery ships at times of year when temperatures won’t stress the plants. For larger projects where you need multiple pallets of 10-gallon containers or balled trees, a nursery that coordinates delivery is often the most practical option.
When buying online, read the plant description carefully: it should list mature size in feet, sunlight needs, and USDA zone/temperature ranges. Check shipping windows and packaging guarantees. If a nursery posts real photos and size references, that’s a sign they stand behind their inventory. Also confirm whether the nursery ships in spring or fall, typically the best transplant windows in most US regions.
Once your new shrubs, perennials, or trees arrive, plan a simple first 90-day care routine. Water deeply rather than shallow watering measured in minutes—aim to soak the root zone thoroughly, roughly 5 to 10 gallons per watering for small-to-medium shrubs during establishment. Mulch to a depth of 2 to 3 inches to conserve moisture and prevent weeds. Stake only if the tree needs support, and prune sparingly until the second season unless damaged.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but only as deep as the container’s root flare. For a 2-inch trunk caliper tree, expect a root ball roughly 18 to 24 inches across; make your hole accordingly. Backfill with native soil amended slightly with organic matter and water in 10 to 20 gallons at planting, then adjust frequency to keep soil moist but not waterlogged.
Want a low-maintenance yard? Consider an evergreen backbone of shrubs spaced according to mature width and fill with seasonal perennials for color. For a pollinator border, plant staggered bloom times and use clumps of the same species spaced in linear feet to make a visual and ecological impact. Ornamental grasses add texture — choose varieties that reach 2 or 6 feet depending on the scale of your beds and the backdrop of your house.
Use shrubs with tidy mature sizes to frame walkways and foundation lines. A strategic row of 3 to 5 medium-sized shrubs planted 4 to 6 feet apart can make a big visual difference and cost less than adding several large ornamentals. Pair with annual color in containers measured in gallons for a seasonal refresh that doesn’t break the bank.
Choosing the right store is as important as choosing the right plant. Big-box retailers offer convenience, while mail-order nurseries and local growers provide specialty options and plants adapted to your region. If you’re ever unsure, look for stores that show mature size in feet, give planting tips, and label sun and water requirements clearly. Your landscape will thank you: with the right choices, your yard will grow into a vibrant, livable outdoor room that fits your lifestyle.
Shopping for landscaping and garden plants should be an exciting step toward transforming your outdoor space. Whether you pick up shrubs from a local Ace, order a specimen tree from Fast Growing Trees, or start seeds with Burpee, the key is matching plant selection to site conditions and buying from reputable US stores that provide accurate sizing and care guidance. With proper planning measured in feet and gallons, you can create a resilient landscape that looks great year after year.
