Hill Country Natives is now CLOSED

This website will remain active for a time until all closure activities are understood and accomplished.

Hill Country Natives, grower of Central Texas’ native trees and shrubs, is located just west of Leander, TX, on the edge of the Texas Hill Country.   We’d love for you to visit, but we cannot currently support in-person shopping.  We are, however, accepting orders for “gate-side” pickup and will select the best-available plants for you.  

It has been a long and rewarding, but at times difficult, 22 year journey but it’s “harvest”time.  Hill Country Natives will be closing effective April 23, 2022.  The increases in cost for everything, logistical complications and the general suppression of very small “Mom & Pop” businesses have made it untenable.

We will attempt to fill orders as existing inventory allows, so please submit requests via email.  I will reply as quickly as possible.

Thank you all very much.

Mitch and Kathy

Please visit our Shop Online page, where you’ll find a current list of available inventory and ordering instructions.  We (try to) update that inventory list on a monthly basis, so if you would like to receive an update when we have new plants ready for sale, please sign up for our mailing list. Our “Browse” page has lots of additional information that may help with your decisions, but plants described there are not always available.

When you’re satisfied with your order, please use the APPOINTMENT MANAGER on the Contact Page.  Driving directions, Google link and map are on our Contact/Visit page.

The first few months of each calendar year can be hectic because, not only are all gardeners enthusiastically planning and planting, but we are also procuring, propagating, potting and organizing for the new growing season.  We have to get new plants settled into their home in the nursery before the really hot weather hits.  The whole process aims to have our ready-for-sale inventory peak around September, which is the BEST time to plant in Central Texas.   Then, inventory declines until the following May, when it’s getting too hot (for plants AND people).  People and plants then try to take it easy during the summer months, so that we can begin the whole cycle again.

At Hill Country Natives, our mission is to promote the sustainable cultivation of native Texas trees and shrubs and to increase their use in landscaping. We specialize in native trees and shrubs and fruit trees that are well-adapted to central Texas.

Native plants offer many benefits. They require less water. They improve wildlife habitat. They support genetic diversity. They require less fertilizer and pesticide, thus reducing pollution and cost. And they improve the connection between people and the land.

Over the last few decades we’ve witnessed a degradation of native plant communities in central Texas. We feel that the loss of native plants is having a negative impact on the environment and on all of us. We believe that by increasing the use of native plants we can help restore our unique central Texas environment and quality of life. Our work is informed by the ethics and principles of Permaculture design.

Our Learn page contains informational material in several sections. To learn how we cultivate healthy plants, and to get some tips, see Cultivation. And check our Articles & Links to read up on Green Living Screens, Fire-wise landscaping, Fungi, and other key topics. Enjoy our Plant Showcase too!

“Just a quick note to say I was very impressed by the root system on the Montezuma Cypress … I planted it a few hours after I picked it up from you and it was perfect! The structure was very dense. More importantly the branching from the root flare was perfect and no circling or girdling root on the outside of the root ball! … You definitely have me sold. … Thanks for all your help. I plan to use your nursery as much as I can.” – D.L.

Tell us about your gardening/landscaping adventures, and get our latest announcements — Join our Facebook community!