Choosing Plants from a Nursery: Expert Tips for Selecting Healthy Trees, Shrubs, and Perennials

Types of Nursery Plants

Nurseries offer plants in three forms: balled-and-burlapped (large trees/shrubs), bare-root (hedges, roses), and container-grown (annuals, perennials, smaller shrubs). Field-grown plants are dug in winter/early spring, wrapped, and shipped—losing up to 90% of roots but allowing large specimens. Continue reading

Bare-root stock is dug dormant, stored cold, and shipped light and cheap. Ideal for mail-order. Container-grown plants start in pots and are stepped up; longer time in containers means higher cost.

How to Select Nursery Plants

Compare multiple specimens of the same variety. Look for desired form (e.g., three-trunk river birch), healthy foliage color, adequate root balls, and no signs of stress. Staff can advise on mature size relative to your house: trees should be ¼ to ⅓ taller than the roof. A one-story house (12–15 ft) suits trees 15–20 ft; two-story (18–22 ft) handles 22–30 ft. Plant taller trees on the periphery.

Quality nurseries guarantee their plants. Keep receipts; most require them for replacements.

Transporting Plants

For large trees, pay for nursery delivery (often free with large purchases). If hauling yourself, bring a tarp and rope—wind damage can kill plants, especially evergreens.

Selecting Balled-and-Burlapped Plants

Look for: healthy foliage, fat buds, living branches, new growth on conifers, appropriate shape, solid moist root ball, proper wrapping, root ball 10–12x trunk diameter, mulch, evidence of watering.

Avoid: curling/browning leaves, diseased foliage, broken branches, limp ends, no new growth, basal-only leaves, dry root ball, large exposed roots, rotted burlap, lopsided ball, loose trunk, tight twine, skinned trunk, wind-tilting trees.

Selecting Bare-Root Plants

Look for: healthy basal roots with feeders, moist roots, ready-to-burst leaf nodes, well-formed stems.

Avoid: lopsided roots, twisted root balls, undersized roots, broken taproots, broken stalks, unfurled white leaves (broken dormancy).

Selecting Container Plants

Look for: sleek branches, ready-to-burst nodes, uniform foliage color, firm root ball, moist soil, appropriate shape.

Avoid: pot-bound roots, large roots emerging, surface roots, broken branches, diseased foliage, brown undersides.