Buying live shrubs online offers access to a far greater variety of species and cultivars than most local garden centers provide. However, purchasing perishable goods sight-unseen requires a thoughtful approach to ensure the plants received are healthy and appropriate for the landscape. Understanding the different types of vendors and the terminology used for live plant sales is the first step toward a successful online purchase.
Types of Online Retailers for Shrubs
The online market for live plants is generally divided into three main vendor categories. Specialized online nurseries focus exclusively on horticulture, often providing a wider selection of unique or rare shrub cultivars difficult to source locally. These vendors typically have expert staff knowledge and may offer higher quality specimens, though their prices often reflect this specialization.
A second category includes large national retailers and big box stores that have integrated live plants into their extensive online offerings. The primary draws here are lower prices, the convenience of a familiar shopping platform, and established return policies. However, the stock is generally less specialized, focusing on common, high-volume varieties.
Online marketplaces, such as Amazon, Etsy, and eBay, serve as a platform for numerous smaller, independent growers. This allows buyers to find niche or locally grown shrubs, but demands careful attention to seller reputation. Buyer caution is warranted, making it necessary to thoroughly check specific seller reviews regarding the quality of the shipped plant material and the accuracy of the listing.
Key Criteria for Selecting Shrubs Online
Verifying the plant’s local suitability is the most important factor for long-term success. The USDA Hardiness Zone system defines the average annual minimum winter temperature of a region. Selecting a shrub rated for your specific zone is fundamental to its survival. Many reputable online retailers offer tools that allow filtering inventory by zip code, ensuring the plant can survive your climate.
Buyers must also understand the two primary forms in which shrubs are shipped: bare root and container-grown. Bare root shrubs are grown in the field, dug up while dormant, and shipped with all soil removed, making them lighter and less expensive to ship. They require immediate attention upon arrival and are only available seasonally while the plant is inactive.
Container or potted shrubs are grown in a soil medium and generally offer a more robust plant. They can be kept in their pot for a longer period before planting, offering a wider planting window. These plants are typically described by the size of the pot, such as a one-gallon or five-gallon size, indicating the plant’s maturity and root mass. While container plants are more forgiving, their added weight and bulk increase shipping expenses.
Understanding Shipping and Guarantee Logistics
A nursery’s shipping schedule is dictated by the optimal planting times for various regions and is closely tied to the plant’s dormancy cycle. Most retailers coordinate shipments to align with the appropriate spring or fall planting windows for the customer’s specific hardiness zone. To protect the live material, some nurseries may temporarily delay shipments due to extreme weather, such as regional heat waves or unexpected cold snaps.
Reviewing the guarantee policy is important, as it distinguishes between a “Live Arrival Guarantee” and a longer-term warranty. A Live Arrival Guarantee ensures the plant is alive and healthy upon delivery, requiring the customer to report any damage within a short window, often 24 to 48 hours.
A more comprehensive policy may cover the plant for the first growing season. However, this warranty can be voided if the customer chooses a ship week outside the vendor’s recommended planting time. Shipping live plants is expensive due to the item’s weight, specialized packaging, and the speed required to minimize transit time. Container-grown shrubs cost more to ship than bare root counterparts because they retain the weight of the soil and pot.
What to Do When Your Shrubs Arrive
The moment your order arrives, immediately open the packaging and inspect the shrubs for any signs of damage or distress. Take photographs of any issues to support a claim under the seller’s guarantee. Potted shrubs should be checked for dry soil, watered if needed, and placed in a sheltered area, such as a porch or garage, to begin acclimation.
Bare root plants require a more urgent response because their exposed root systems are vulnerable to drying out. These dormant shrubs should be soaked in a bucket of water for about an hour immediately after unpacking to rehydrate the roots.
If planting must be delayed for more than a few days, the bare root material should be “heeled in.” This involves temporarily burying the roots in a trench of soil or mulch in a cool, shady location. For short-term storage, bare root shrubs can be kept wrapped in their original packaging, ensuring the roots remain damp. Store them in a cool, dark location, ideally below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, to maintain dormancy.