Hidden Springs Nursery
HomeAbout UsPlanting TipsOrder PlantsOrder BooksNewsContact

Ordering and Shipping Information (bottom of this page)

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (opens in new window)

Catalog Symbols
  • (E) means "still experimental here"
  • (N) means "not likely organically grown." Good quality stock that we bought elsewhere due to crop failure or lack of time.
  • (S) means "surefire success," easy to grow.
For a Copy of Our Paper Catalog (printed on recycled paper)
Please send one dollar to: Hidden Springs Nursery, 170 Hidden Springs Lane, Cookeville, TN 38501


Apples
(malus domestica)

We graft semi-dwarf ( EMLA 106) trees that will mature at 12-16' but can be kept smaller. All varieties listed are resistant to fireblight, cedar apple rust, and mildew. Order at least two different varieties for cross-pollination.
2-4' $12 each.
  • "Arkansas Black" - Beautiful, dark apple with yellow, flavorful flesh. Late ripening and a good keeper, but will not pollinate so you'll need 2 other varieties as well.
  • "Black Limbertwig" - A local variety with creamy flesh, good flavor, and dark red skin. Late blooming.
  • "Horse" - An old Southern favorite with green skin and a tart flavor. Early ripening. Excellent baking apple.
  • "Hubbardston Nonesuch" - Greenish yellow skin with a crisp, sweet flavor. Mid season bloom and late ripening.
  • "King David" - Medium sized, dark red, and spicy. Mid season ripening. All uses including cider.
  • "Liberty" - macintosh-like flavor with mid season ripening. Resits scab. Needs thinning for larger apples.
  • "Susie"- A sweet, juicy apple with yellow skin. Local seedling with dependable crops. Mid-season ripening.

Do you have an old apple tree that you'd like to save or does a friend have a tree that you'd like to have? We can custom graft from your scion. Cost is $14.00 per tree, prepaid. We'll send you detailed instructions on how to collect the scion wood.


Aronia (S)
(aronia melanocarpa)

These ornamental, native shrubs have white flowers, black berries, and red autumn foliage. While some eat the berries fresh, we prefer them as jelly or juice. Zones 3-9.
$10 each.
  • "Viking" - From Scandinavia, grows to about 7'
  • "Nero"- From Russia, grows to about 5'

Autumn Olive (S)
(elaeagnus umbellata)


 We can no longer sell to customers in Tennessee and will be discontinuing after we sell out.This handsome shrub grows to 15' and produces great quantities of silver-flecked red berries in the fall. The fresh fruit is high in lycopene (an antioxidant) and is delicious out of hand. They also make a sweet cranberry sauce-like jam and an especially good catsup (just substitute for the tomatoes).

These plants are not fussy about soil and their silvery foliage and fragrant, yellow flowers make them one of our favorites. They have been accused of being invasive in some areas (especially zone 7 and warmer), but we have seen little evidence of that here beyond a few bird-distributed seedlings. Some of our shrubs have been shaded out by the nut trees that they originally nursed with their nitrogen-fixing abilities. Zones 4-7.
Selections from our orchard. 2 yr plants $12.00 each.
  • "Brilliant Rose" - largest fruit with good flavor.
  • "Jewel" - Excellent flavor with a smaller berry."Delightful" - Large fruit, mild flavor.
  • "Sweetntart" - Sweet with a tart undertone.
  • "Charlie's Golden" - Sweet, yellow fruited variety.
  • "Jazzbo" - Earliest ripening with good flavor

Azarole (S)
(Crataegus x Lavallei.)

A small European hawthorn (to 10') with tasty orange fruit and glossy reddish-green foliage. Blooms profusely in late spring with fall ripening. Berry-sized fruit that makes a jelly similar to apple jelly. Self-fertile. Grow 6-8 ft. Order both varieties for cross-pollination.
Zones 5-8. 1-3' $12.00 each.


Blackberry
(rubus ulmifolius)

Zones 5-8. 5 for $20 or 10 for $36
  • "Chester Thornless"(N) - Sweeter than other thornless varieties. Beautiful against a wall or on a trellis. Large, sweet, firm berries and productive for 6 weeks.

Blueberry
(Vaccinium Ashei)

We've grown rabbiteye blueberries for over 20 years as a cash crop. In Spring, they have pretty bell-shaped flowers and,in Fall, the foliage is a stiking red. Blueberries make good hedges and container plants. They need plenty of water and acid soil, so treat them as you would a rhododendron or azalea. They grow 6-8 ft. Order both varieties for cross-pollination. Zone 6-9.
3 year plants $9 each or 10 for $80
  • "Tifblue"(N) - Still the standard among rabbiteye blueberries. Tifblue starts bearing in July here and still has some berries in September. Medium to large berries with excellent flavor.
  • "Climax"(N) - Early ripening and sweet. Uniform ripening over a 2-3 week period makes the harvest easier

Bush Cherry, Nanking (S)
(prunus tomentosa)

An early blooming, very attractive shrub to 8 ft. with pink blossoms, light green foliage, and tasty cherry-like fruit. Birds and children really love these spring fruits. For heavier bearing, order two or more. Zones 3-6. Cannot ship to CA.
Seedlings $12.00 each.


Cherry, Sour (S)
(prunus cerasus on mahaleb rootstock)

Drought tolerant but requires a well-drained soil.
These trees do well with our late frosts and are virtually maintenance free once established. Grows to about 12' and produce slightly sweet cherries that can be eaten fresh or in pies. Self-fertile. Zones 4-8. Cannot ship to CA.
2-4' $14.00 each.
  • "CKVL #1"- This beautiful tree had so many cherries that we asked gardener Sara DeBovis if we might propagate it. Can't name the variety but we can vouch for its productivity.
  • "Sour Chari" - From Yugoslavia, these cherries ripen a little earlier than other pie cherries.


Citrus (S)
(Flying Dragon) 

 Trifoliate orange - The only member of the citrus family that will grow outdoors this far north. Unlike other citrus, it loses its leaves, leaving its green and twisty branches to grace the landscape in winter. The fruit is sour and seedy but can be used like a lemon. Interesting twisted, dwarfing habit with thorns. Grows to 4' Zones 6-9. Can not ship to CA, FL, or TX.
1-2' $10.00 each



Cornelian Cherry (S)
(cornus mas)

This member of the dogwood family sports yellow flowers against bare bark in early spring before forsythia. The fall fruit's distinctive, rich flavor is somewhat like a pie cherry but more complex and can be eaten fresh or made into jam, juice, wine , and tarts. This small tree or shrub grows to 15'. Zones 4-7
Bodacious - Our own selection. Large quantitties of mediun sized fruit. Resistant to leaf spot.
Chicago- Another disease resistant variety with large fruit. Earliest ripening.
1-3' $16.00 each



Cranberry, Highbush (S)
(viburnum trilobum)

This shrub (8-12') is very ornamental with its panicles of white, hydrangea like flowers in late spring and clusters of bright red berries in fall. The fruit, which has one seed, can be used as a cranberry substitute and is tasty dried. Popular with birds and tolerates some shade. Zones 3-7.
2 yr plants $12.00 each.
  • "Phillips" - A Meader selection.


Currant (S)
(ribes species)


The flowers of Crandall black currant bushes are golden yellow, have a long tubular form usually tipped with red, and emit a spicy clove fragrance. Red currant flowers are not showy but the red "strigs" of fruit are quite beautiful. In the South, plant in partial shade. Zones 3-7.
1-3' $10.00 each. Cannot ship to DE, MA, ME, NC, NH, NJ.
  • "Crandall" (N)- R. Odoratum. Exceptional size and quality of fruit with a mild flavor. Resistant to most diseases and withstands hot dry summers.
  • “Ben Lomand”(N)- R. Nigrum. Large excellent fruit. Will cross-pollinate Crandall and increase yields.
  • "Minnesota 52"(E) -Though developed in MN., this disease resistant red currant does well even in zone 7. Birds can't resist them.

Fig (S)
(ficus carica)



These lush plants can be grown in pots in the North and brought into a protected area for the Winter. They can also be planted outside, but should be protected from very low temps with hay or leaves. We grow ours as multi-trunked bushes and usually prune back to about 4' and cover them after the first light frost and before the real cold hits. It takes about two hours to cover five bushes, but the fresh figs are worth it. Zones 6 (with protection) to 10.
$12.00 each.
  • "Celeste" (also called TN Mountain) - medium to small fruit with a tasty rose pulp. Very cold hardy.
  • "Chicago Hardy" - Medium to small fruit with good flavor. Reputed to have been grown in Chicago originally.
  • "LSU Gold" - Large, sweet fruit. Has done well for us even though it is considered a fig for the deep south.
  • "LSU Purple" - Deep purple skin and a little smaller than LSU Gold, but sweeter. Vigorous grower.
  • "Magnolia" - Medium to Large sized, bronze skinned, and sweet flesh. Most distinctive leaf of the bunch. Best suited for drier areas but does fine here.
Gooseberry (S)(N)
(ribes hirtellum)

These handsome (3 - 5') shrubs bear a year after planting and prefer partial shade in the South . The fruit is slightly tart and can be eaten fresh or cooked into a pie or fool - a wonderful whipped cream confection. Both varieties are disease resistant. Zones 3-7.1-3'
$10.00 each. Cannot ship to DE, MA, ME, NC, NH, NJ.
  • "Captivator" - Almost spineless with pink skin and slightly sweeter fruit.
  • "Sabine" - Purple, large and flavorful. Few thorns.

Goumi (S)
(elaeagnus multiflora)

This "cherry elaeagnus" is similar to autumn olive in flavor. The delicious berries are larger and ripen in early summer. They are also good dried when the one seed becomes unnoticeable. This plant is shrubbier than autumn olive and has never been accused of invasiveness. Nitrogen fixer. Zones 5-9.
2 year plants, $12.00 each.



Honey Locust
(gleditsia triacanthos)

These stately trees provide a good crop of pods for sheep or, when ground, for cattle. Hardy to zone 5. We can custom graft Calhoun, Millwood, Hershey, Marguerite, or Ashworth and provide large quantities of seedlings with advance planning and a deposit. Please call or write with questions.


Jujube (S)
(ziziphus jujuba)



Also known as Chinese date, these trees are low care, like full sun, and a long, hot summer. Can grow to 20'. Fruit is sweet, about date sized, with an apple/raisin like flavor. Partially self-fertile, but for better yields it's a good idea to get two. Zones 6-10.
1-3' $17.00 each.
  • "Li" - Large, round fruit about 2" in diameter. Best eaten fresh.
  • "Lang" - Pear shaped fruit that ripens later. Good for drying.
  • "Sherwood" - From Louisiana, this tree has a narrow growth habit and good fruit.
  • "Norris #1" - According to a friend in East TN, it is his most prolific bearer.

Juneberry (S)
(amelanchier species)

Relatively trouble free, these plants can take our late frosts. Though it looks a bit like a blueberry, the fruit makes a finer pie as baking brings out the almond flavor of the seeds. Good fresh eating and the birds love them. Zones 4-8.
$12.00 each.
  • "Regent" - A. alnifolia. Shrub grows to 4-6'.

Kiwi
(actinidia arguta)


This hardy kiwi is a vigorous vine without any pest or disease problems. Compared to the New Zealand kiwi usually found in the supermarket, this fruit is smaller (like a large grape), sweeter (with a lime-pineapple flavor), and has no fuzz. Our 24-year-old vine generally produces about 250 lbs. Young vines need to be protected from frost for the first year or two. Special care instructions included with your order. Zones 5-9.
$12 each or trio (2 female,1 male) for $30
  • "Ananasnaya" (female) - Developed in Russia, this is the best flavored and largest fruited available.
  • "Hardy male" - one per 7 females needed

Mayhaw (S)
(crataegus aestivalis and opaca)

Ripening in May, the lacquer-red fruits can be eaten fresh but are best when made into the unusually delicious jam famous in the south. Also used in pies, syrups, butters, and wines. Requiring little care, these native, long-lived trees are small (to 12'), densely branched, and have delicate white flowers tinged with a pink blush. Self-fertile but does better with another variety. Zones 6-9.
1-3' $10.00 each.

The following were selected by T.O. Warren (MS) and have done the best for us here so far.
  • "Big Red"and "Heavy"

Medlar
(mespilus germanica)

A fruit widely grown during the middle ages, it is still found in many European countries today. The fruits are ready to pick after leaf drop and should be put on a shelf to "blet" or ripen for a month or two. Rock hard from the tree, they are soft when ripe and taste like apple butter. The tree (up to 12') has flowers like single white roses against dark green foliage. Hardy to zone 5.
1-3' $15.00 each.
  • "Breda Giant" - Medium fruited from Holland, our most productive.
  • "Large Russian" - Large fruit. Award of Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.

Melon Tree (S)
(cudrania tricuspidata grafted onto osage orange)


From Central China, these attractive trees have grown to 15' and stayed relatively compact for us. Also known as Che or Chinese mulberry, this tree is a member of the Moraceae family which includes figs and mulberries. Fall ripening fruits are bright, rose-pink when ripe, about the size of a cherry, and taste like watermelon mixed with fig. Pest free. Zone range seems to be 6-9 though we do know people in 5 growing them.

Male and female trees available. Order both to insure pollination. If space is a problem, the CA Rare Fruit Growers website suggests planting them about a foot apart and growing them as one tree - pruning them to 25% male and 75% female.
2-4' $14.00 each.


Mulberry (S)
(morus species)

After a long winter, these beautiful trees present us with the first fruits of the season. They taste a bit like blackberries without the large seeds or thorns. People are often surprised at how good they taste and birds will choose them over other fruits. The trees can grow to 30' and need 15' of spread on each side. For those with less space, summer pruning can keep them to about 10'. Self-fertile, grows fast, and fruits early.
  • "Wellington" - Considered the best by the Geneva, NY testing center. Good sized fruit with a more upright habit.
  • "Illinois Everbearing" - Large fruits, over 1' long, with pleasant mixture of sweet and sour flavors. Heavy bearer.
Above Zones 5-8 (possibly 9).
2-4' $18.00 each.
  • "Noire of Spain" -Short, fat fruit with good flavor and
Suitable for zones 8-10.
1-2' $10.00 each.


Pawpaw
(asimina triloba)


A native fruit tree growing to 15'. Fruits have a rich custard-like flavor and consistency. Usually an understory tree in the wild, this makes an attractive, large leafed tree in full sun. (It is helpful to give partial shading for the first year.)

We have many years of experience growing pawpaws. Pawpaws have a reputation for transplanting difficulty but we have found that timing, root quality and fertile, well-drained soil make all the difference. Our pawpaws are grown in pots to keep their taproots intact and we are successfully shipping them bareroot. Our special care instructions are included with your order. Order two different varieties for pollination (unless self-fertile). Zones 5-9. We offer a large selection of varieties that have been chosen for superior fruit. Please list substitutes as there are limited numbers of each variety. We will always substitute slightly smaller plants unless otherwise instructed.
All grafted trees 1-2' $20.00 each.
  • "LA Native" - From Louisiana. Medium fruit with yellow flesh and good flavor with a hint of caramel.
  • "Mango" - From Tifton, GA. Fruit has mango-like qualities. Large and delicious.
  • "Mary Foos Johnson" - Yellow fleshed fruit of very good flavor with only a few large seeds. Heavy producer. Similar to Sunflower and probably self-fertile.
  • "Mitchell" - Cream colored flesh. Large oval to round fruit of excellent flavor with an airy texture. From IL.
  • "NC-1" - From Ontario, Canada. Early ripening.
  • "PA Golden"(#3) - Oval-shaped, yellow fleshed selection from John Gordon of NY. Matures mid-Sept. in NY.
  • "Prolific" -Corwin Davis selection. Yellow fleshed , thick texture, mild flavor, small seeds.
  • "Overleese" - From IN. A reliable annual bearer of large fruit. Excellent flavor and few seeds.
  • "Sunflower"-Large fruit with excellent flavor. Self-fertile.
  • “Taytwo” - Medium fruit of good flavor.
  • "Wells" - From IN, orange-fleshed large fruits.
The next selection is shared and described by fellow fruit explorer Richard Moyer of Bristol, TN:
  • "Jonathan"- Yellow flesh with very little aftertaste
 
The Pawpaw Foundation

Join and help promote North America's largest native edible fruit. Like most members, we are always interested in sharing growing experiences with other pawpaw enthusiasts. Find helpful info at www.pawpaw.kysu.edu.


Pear
(pyrus species)

All pears that we offer are fireblight- resistant varieties and tested in our fireblight prone orchard. Asian pears bloom earlier and will need each other, or possibly Turnbull, to cross-pollinate. Zones 5-8 (and 6-9 for Asians) .
2-4' $12.00 each.
  • "Harvest Queen" - Similar to Bartlett. Good productivity.
  • "Warren" - Originally from MS. Sweet, buttery flavor.
  • "Turnbull" - Large fruit with a crisp, juicy apple-like flavor. Long bloom period.
  • "Korean Giant" - Asian pear. Heavy producer of large late ripening green fruit.
  • "Shinko" - Asian pear. Tasty and productive. Needs thinning.

We can custom graft from your scion for $14 a tree.


Persimmon
(diospyros virginiana)


Grafted trees of selected, improved native persimmon. Fruits taste a bit like apricot mixed with cinnamon. A beautiful tree growing to 30' with mottled bark and attractive, shiny foliage. Spectacular in fruit. Zones 5-8.
1-2' $18.00 each. Cannot ship to CA.
  • "Pipher" - IL selection with good size, production, flavor, and ratio of seed to pulp.
  • "Morris Burton" - Rated the most delicious native persimmon, but we note it is not as large and firm as some.
  • "Tatum" - From KY, this Early-golden type is loaded with fruit. Good flavor and texture.
  • "Yates"(also called "Juhl") - From S. Indiana, these large, flavorful fruits ripen early.
  • "Meader" - Good fruit size and flavor. Self-fertile but produces more with a pollinator.
  • "Native male" - If you don't have any persimmon trees in your area, you may want to order one of our grafted male pollinators. The males sell for $10.00 each.
  • "Rosseyanka"- A Russian hybrid of American and Asian persimmon. Fruit is large, nearly seedless, and tastes like kaki persimmon.


Quince
(cydonia oblonga)


Very ornamental tree with pink tinted, large white flowers. Blooms late in spring making it less subject to frost damage. Fragrant fruits are tart, tasting a bit like pineapple and are especially good baked with honey or apples and as preserves. Zones 5-9.
Grafted trees 2-4' $14.00 each.
Unavailable for 2009-2010 season.

  • "Smyrna" - A large fruited variety with good flavor.
  • "Champion" - Productive bearer of large fruit with tender flesh and a delicate flavor.
  • "Aromatnaya" - (E) From S. Russia. Fruit is said to be edible fresh. Good disease resistance so far.
  • "Pineapple" - Bred in CA and named for its pineapple -like flavor.
  • "Portugal"- (E) Ripens early. Fruit turns red when cooked. Prefers a pollinator.
We recommend a great new book of quince recipes, "Simply Quince", published by Mayreni.

Quince, Bush (S)
(chaenomeles)


The following ornamental shrubs bear smaller fruit than the tree quince but do best for us in our humid valley. Order both for cross-pollination. Zones 5-9.
$10.00 each.
  • "Toyo Nishiki" - Large, stunning white and pink flowers.
  • "Spitfire" - Our variaty appears to be a "sport". Brilliant red flowers.

We recommend a great new book of quince recipes, "Simply Quince", published by Mayreni.


Raspberry
(rubus idaeus)


"Heritage" - Cut the canes to the ground in Winter. The new canes will bear their first crop from August to frost. The following year, if you don't cut them down, you should have a crop in June and again in fall. Zones 4-7.
5 for $15.00 or 10 for $27.00.


Rose Hips
(rosa rugosa)

Growing 4 to 6' with 3" single pink flowers. Good hedge plant. Zones 3-8.
$10.00 each.


Sumac
(rhus typhina)


"Laciniata Staghorn" - A beautiful bush with light green, fern-like foliage and red berries in cone shaped clusters. The berry juice makes an excellent lemonade-like drink. Attracts songbirds, butterflies, bees. To zone 4.
$10.00 each.



Ordering and Shipping Information

Download an order form in PDF format for Acrobat or RTF format for Word

Plants will be shipped USPS Priority mail. Please let your postal carrier know when you expect your package and where to put it. Packages are compact and about 4 ft. tall, so shipping to work or a neighbor is easy. We cannot be responsible for packages that cannot be delivered. If a package is visibly damaged upon arrival, please contact USPS first as they require inspection.

Shipping costs:
Totals under $60 - $12 East of the Rockies, $14 West of the Rockies
Totals $60 - 20% of order

Adjustments may be made for very large orders. If you prefer Air shipment or live in AK or HI, please call for shipping costs. Payment accepted in cash, check, money order, or PayPal. We do not accept credit cards. Sorry, no COD. We cannot ship out of the country.

Our shipping season runs from early November to late April. (At times this can be extended for northern customers, so check with us.) We do not ship most holiday weeks.

Please list substitutes or indicate a willingness to accept a back order, as we sometimes run out of different selections. Order as soon as you get your catalog to avoid disappointment, even if you want your order shipped in the spring. We will substitute at our own discretion unless your order states otherwise.

Gift Certificates are available in any denomination.