FAQs and Warranty
Warranty and Returns
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No and here’s why: Most nurseries "bake" the cost of potential plant replacements into their retail prices, forcing every customer to pay extra for a "safety net" they may never use. By not offering a warranty, we are able to keep our prices significantly lower. You pay only for the high-quality plant you're taking home—not for the "insurance" of someone else's plant.
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Because we prioritize the biosecurity of our nursery, we cannot allow plants to return once they have left our property. This ensures that we never accidentally introduce outside pests, fungi, or diseases to our healthy stock. We encourage you to bring your measurements and photos of your space to the nursery; our experts will work with you one-on-one to make sure you’re choosing the perfect plant the first time.
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We stand by the health of our plants at the time of sale. We ask all customers to perform a "final inspection" before loading their vehicle. If you notice a broken branch or a leaf spot during that inspection, we will happily swap it for a different specimen. However, once the plant leaves our care and is exposed to uncontrolled environments or transport stress, the sale is final.
Plant Care
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How to Plant in Maryland Clay (Zone 7b)
Our local soil in the DMV area is heavy in clay, which can "suffocate" new plants if not handled correctly. Follow these 3 rules for success:
1. The "High & Wide" Rule - Never dig a deep, narrow hole. Dig your hole twice as wide as the root ball, but no deeper. In fact, in heavy clay, we recommend planting "high"—letting the top 1-2 inches of the root ball sit slightly above the surrounding soil line. This prevents the "bathtub effect" where water sits in the hole and rots the roots.
2. Stop the "Glazing" - When you dig in clay, the sides of the hole can become smooth and hard (like a ceramic pot). Take your shovel and "score" or roughen the sides of the hole. This allows the new roots to actually penetrate the clay instead of circling the hole.
3. Mulch, Don't Mound - Apply 2-3 inches of hardwood mulch to keep roots cool and retain moisture, but never let mulch touch the trunk of the tree or the base of the plant. This "volcano mulching" causes rot and pest issues.
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In Maryland clay, "deep and infrequent" is the rule. For the first two weeks, water for 10–20 minutes (at a slow trickle) every other day. After that, transition to twice a week. Never rely on a light sprinkle; the water needs to reach the bottom of the root ball to encourage deep roots.
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Yes—especially evergreens! In Maryland, we often have "dry freezes." If the ground isn't frozen and we haven't had rain or snow for two weeks, give your evergreens a deep soak. This prevents "winter burn" (brown needles) caused by the wind drying out the foliage while the roots are thirsty.
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Early morning (before 9:00 AM) is best. This allows the water to soak in before the humidity and heat cause evaporation. Avoid watering late at night, as wet foliage in our humid summers can lead to powdery mildew and fungal diseases.
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Maryland clay holds water like a bucket. If leaves are turning yellow, wilting (but the soil feels damp), or falling off while still green, the roots are likely suffocating. Use the "Finger Test": stick your finger 2 inches into the soil. If it's muddy, stop watering immediately and let it dry out.
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We highly recommend using a professional-grade slow-release fertilizer like Osmocote. Unlike liquid fertilizers that wash away quickly, Osmocote uses a specialized coating to release nutrients gradually over several months.
Temperature-Controlled Feeding: Osmocote is unique because it releases nutrients based on soil temperature. In the heat of a Maryland summer when your plants are most active, it provides more food; when the weather cools down, it slows down.
Safety for New Roots: Because the nutrients are released slowly, there is a much lower risk of "root burn," making it the ideal choice for newly transitioned perennials, shrubs, and container plants.
Efficiency: One application typically lasts for an entire growing season (up to 6 months), saving you time and ensuring your plants never miss a meal.
Maryland Environment: Using a slow-release product like Osmocote is more environmentally friendly for our local watersheds. Since the nutrients are "locked" in the granules, they are absorbed by the plant roots rather than leaching into the groundwater during heavy Maryland rainstorms.
Why Slow-Release? It encourages sturdy, long-term growth rather than a sudden flush of weak "water growth" that attracts pests.
Timing: Apply your slow-release granules once in the early spring (as new growth appears) and once again in the early fall (to strengthen roots before winter). Avoid fertilizing in the dead of summer heat or late winter.
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Deer in our area "don't read the lists," but they generally avoid plants with strong scents (Lavender, Sage) or prickly textures (Hollies). For high-value plants, we recommend a rotation of sprays like Liquid Fence or Deer Off, applied every 3-4 weeks and after heavy rain.
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Not necessarily. It’s common for a plant to droop or lose a few inner leaves in the first 10 days after planting. This is the plant focusing its energy on roots rather than foliage. Keep the soil consistently moist (but not soggy) and resist the urge to fertilize a stressed plant—let it settle in first.
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No. Aside from removing branches broken during transport, avoid pruning for the first year. The plant needs every leaf it has to photosynthesize and create the energy required to grow new roots in our tough clay soil.
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In the DMV, keep watering your new plantings until the first hard frost (usually mid-to-late November). A well-hydrated plant handles the transition into dormancy much better than one stressed by fall droughts.
Services & Logistics
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Yes! We offer curbside delivery throughout our area. Delivery rates are tiered by distance and start at $30.
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For in-stock items, we typically deliver within 2–4 business days. During peak planting seasons (Spring and Fall), our schedule fills up quickly, so we recommend ordering 1–2 weeks in advance for time-sensitive landscaping projects.
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Not necessarily. As long as we have clear access to your driveway or a designated drop-off spot, we can leave your plants for you. We recommend having them delivered to a shaded area and watering them immediately upon your return.
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Our standard delivery is "Curbside/Driveway." If you need plants moved through a gate or across a property, a small "carry fee" may apply to cover the additional labor and time. Please let us know in your order notes if you have special access requirements.
Inventory & Sourcing
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Yes! Our website uses a live sync with our physical Point of Sale system. If a plant is listed as available online, it is currently sitting in our yard.
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We are highly selective about our sources. We prioritize growers within the Mid-Atlantic region to ensure the plants are already acclimated to Maryland’s humidity and temperature swings. By sourcing closer to home, we reduce transport stress on the plants, ensuring they arrive at your garden in peak condition.
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We do a bit of both! We grow a selection of trees and shrubs on-site, and we partner with trusted regional growers for some of our other stock. Every single plant—regardless of where it started—undergoes a health inspection by our experts before being added to our live inventory.
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We certainly can! If you are looking for a specific cultivar or a large quantity for a privacy screen (like Skip Laurels or Green Giants), let us know. Because we don't "bake in" warranty costs, we can often secure special orders at a much better price point than larger retail centers.
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Because we follow the natural growing seasons of the Mid-Atlantic, we don't force plants to grow out of season using heavy chemicals. When a crop is gone, we often wait for the next natural growing cycle to restock. This ensures that what you buy is strong enough to survive in your yard, not just look good in a climate-controlled store.