At Nationwide Plants, we size our shrubs in a way that customers can trust- by the actual gallon pot size the shrub is growing in, not by an estimated label that can be misleading. When you purchase a 1 gallon, 2 gallon, 3 gallon, or 5 gallon shrub from us, that gallon size reflects the real container size your shrub is rooted in, so you know exactly what you’re getting.
Because shrubs are sold by pot size, the container matters just as much as the plant itself. In general, the larger the gallon size, the more developed the root system, which leads to a stronger shrub with better structure and faster establishment after planting. A shrub in a 3 or 5 gallon pot has typically had more time to grow, fill in, and develop the roots needed to thrive once it’s planted in your landscape.
Just as importantly, our shrubs are always shipped potted in soil- never bare-root. Keeping shrubs in their pot protects the roots during shipping, reduces transplant stress, and helps the plant transition smoothly into its new home. Larger pot sizes also hold more soil, which helps retain moisture and support the shrub during its first critical weeks after planting.
Unfortunately, not all nurseries size shrubs the same way. Some may use small containers or underdeveloped plants to reduce costs, resulting in weaker roots and a shrub that takes longer to establish. At Nationwide Plants, we don’t cut corners. We ship true gallon sizes with strong, healthy roots—so your shrubs arrive ready to grow, fill in, and perform the way they should.