From an Unremarkable Stick to a Statement
When your tree arrives from New Blooms, it will be young and dormant. It won't look like much. That's by design. Here's what happens when you trust the process and follow our guidance.
One Tree. Five Years. Real Results.
Below you'll find the story of a Flame Thrower Redbud Tree purchased from New Blooms Nursery, photographed by one of our customers at planting, one year later, and five years later. This is the journey from stick to center piece.
One
At Planting
"Yep, they sent me a dried up stick."
Don't worry, you are not the only one who has thought this. Here's a single dormant whip with bare branches, planted into a freshly mulched bed. It doesn't look like much but underneath the soil, a strong root system is already settling in.
This is exactly what a healthy New Blooms tree looks like. It shipped dormant from our cooler — and that's what gives it the best chance of thriving in your yard. Water it regularly. Help it survive it's first summer and you'll be rewarded.
One Year Later
That "stick" filled out into a beautiful small ornamental tree with a full canopy of heart-shaped leaves showing early fall color. The root system spent its first spring and summer establishing, and the results, well... they speak for themselves.
This is the year that makes believers out of skeptics. By midsummer, the tree that arrived looking lifeless is now the centerpiece of the front yard. In it's 2nd year, it'll still require supplemental watering, but only in dry conditions.
One
Five
Five Years Later
The same tree, now a stunning specimen covered in hundreds of pink blooms every spring. Leaves emerge in an avalanche of color. For those who follow directions and keep up with mulch, almost zero additional maintenance is required.
This is the payoff of bare-root planting. A tree that was $60–$140 delivered to your door is now a landscape feature that would cost many hundreds of dollars at a garden center.
Worried Your Tree Didn't Make It?
It's completely normal for a bare-root tree to show no signs of life for 3–6 weeks after planting. Depending on your zone and when you plant, buds may not break until the soil warms consistently. Even when established trees are leafing out your tree may still be settling in.
Try the scratch test: Gently scratch a small spot on the bark with your fingernail. If the bark peels and has color (green, purple or yellow) underneath, your tree is alive, healthy, and just taking its time. Be patient.
If you have any concerns about your tree, reach out to us. We're here to help you succeed, and every tree ships with our warranty.
Why We Ship Bare-Root
Our trees are field-grown and shipped dormant directly from cold storage. No pots, no fluff — just healthy trees at a fraction of the price.
Stronger Roots
Field-grown trees develop natural root systems that establish faster in your soil than pot-bound nursery stock.
Better Price
No pots, no greenhouse overhead, no retail markup. You get a bigger, healthier tree for a fraction of what you'd pay at a garden center.
Ships Safely
Dormant trees are incredibly resilient in transit. Emily packs every root system tight and moist — they arrive ready to plant even if delivery is delayed.
Ready to Plant Your Story?
Browse our collection of ornamental trees and find the one that'll be the centerpiece of your yard five years from now.
Shop Ornamental Trees Questions? We're always happy to help.