Frequently Asked Questions
Ordering & Pickup
How does buying from Culver's Root Gardens work?
Browse our online inventory and reserve the plants you want. Once you've reserved, you'll get directions to our pickup location and can book a time slot. When you arrive, you can pick up your reserved plants and browse anything else we have in stock, including some plants not listed online.
Why do I need to pre-order to get the pickup location?
We're a backyard nursery, so we don't publish our exact address publicly — but we're located in Madison, TN. Once you've placed a reservation, we'll send you directions along with your pickup details.
Can I buy plants without pre-ordering online?
Pre-ordering is required — it's how you'll receive our pickup location and reserve your time slot. That said, once you're here, feel free to browse extra plants in person; we often have inventory available that isn't listed online yet.
Do you sell at any events?
Yes — we sell at Neighbors for Native Plants, a nonprofit plant sale held each spring and fall. We may also sell at other local festivals and events in the future — sign up for our newsletter to get updates on upcoming sales and events.
Do you ship plants?
No — all orders are for local pickup only at our nursery in Madison, TN. Since our plants are grown for our specific climate and handled with care right up until pickup, we don't currently offer shipping.
Plants & Pricing
Where do your plants come from?
Every plant we sell is grown from seed or cuttings sourced right here in Middle Tennessee; primarily collected on our own property. That means what you're planting is already adapted to our soil, climate, and wildlife.
What sizes do your plants come in?
Plugs — Small, young plants grown in individual cells, usually just a couple inches across with a compact root system. Budget-friendly and quick to establish, making them a great option for filling large areas or planting in bulk.
Pint pots — About 3-4" across, roughly half the size of a quart pot. A step up in size and root development from a plug, ready to get established with a bit of a head start.
Quart pots — About 4-5" across the top. A larger, more established plant with a fuller root system — a good choice for more immediate visual impact in the garden.
Gallon pots — Our largest size, with the most mature root system, ideal for a plant that looks established right away.
Why do some plants cost more than others?
Most of our natives fall into our Standard pricing: $5 plugs, $8 pints, $10 quarts, $12 gallons. These are plants that germinate reliably and reach a sellable size in a normal season.
A smaller number of species are priced under our Specialty tier: $6 plugs, $10 pints, $12 quarts, $15 gallons. These are plants that can take multiple years to size up, are difficult to germinate, or are hard to source seed for in the first place — some of our slowest-growing shade species fall into this category. The higher price reflects the extra time, space, and risk it takes to get them to you, not a difference in quality.
Specialty-tier plants are marked with a colored sticker on the pot so they're easy to spot when you're shopping in person.
Do you offer a discount for returning pots?
Yes! Bring back your empty pots and we'll recycle them — return enough and you'll earn a free plant. We recognize that plastic pot use in the nursery industry is far from ideal, but for now it remains the best way for us to keep plant material sterilized and safe as it grows. Recycling and reusing pots is one of the ways we try to reduce that impact. Ask us for more details about our pot return program at pickup.
Can I get help choosing the right plants for my yard?
Absolutely. When you come for pickup, we're happy to give personalized advice on plant selection, placement, and care based on your specific site.
What is your return policy?
We accept returns within 3 days of a plant leaving the nursery. After that, there are too many factors outside our control — watering, weather, deer browsing, and more — for us to guarantee a plant's health once it's left our property. What we can guarantee is good advice: we're always happy to help with care instructions and the right spot to plant so your natives get the best possible start.
About the Nursery
Is this a retail nursery I can visit anytime?
Not quite — we're a backyard nursery, which means visits are limited to scheduled pickup times rather than open browsing hours. This keeps us within our local operating guidelines and lets us give each customer real attention.
Do you offer garden tours or workshops?
Not yet, but it's something we're hoping to offer down the road as the nursery grows. Stay tuned!
Are pets or kids welcome at pickup?
Kids are welcome! For everyone's safety, we just ask that visitors stay within our designated plant pickup areas. Please leave pets at home, as we have chickens on the property.
Still have a question?
Reach out through our Contact page — we're happy to help.
