America’s Gardens – Shipping, Returns,

Exchanges & Refunds

At America’s Gardens, we take great care to ensure your plants and products arrive in excellent condition. To help us serve you better, please review the following policies regarding shipping, returns, and warranties.

America’s Gardens is a small, business retail garden center and nursery with a dedicated team who genuinely love plants and take pride in what we do. We’ve worked hard to create a little Eden for our plants, but nature is unpredictable and even under the best care, plants sometimes face challenges beyond our control.

If the plant you ordered is affected by any of these circumstances and isn’t ready to ship, we will contact you within 24 hours (or two business days if orders are placed on the weekend) of receiving your order to discuss your options:

• Provide an updated shipping date if the plant needs time to recover or grow,
• Recommend similar substitutions, or
• Issue a full refund for the unavailable item(s).

Additionally, we do not ship plants larger than 2-gallon containers or any product over 40 lbs. Our system is designed to prevent checkout for oversized or restricted items, but on the rare occasion a system error occurs, or shipping is miscalculated, we will contact you within 24 hours or two business days if orders are placed on the weekend to either:

• Refund the order, or
• Bill the adjusted shipping difference (orders will not ship until any balance is paid).

Quick FAQ (At a Glance)

• Live plants must be inspected within 12 hours of delivery. Photos are required for any damage claims.

• Non-perishable items must be inspected within 24 hours of delivery.

• Weather damage, carrier delays, and mishandling are not covered by our warranty.

• 30-day limited warranty applies only if care instructions are followed and issues are reported promptly.

Shipping Schedule & Temperature Guidelines

Due to fluctuating carrier costs, we offer multiple shipping options through UPS and USPS. We strongly recommend selecting a shipping window of two days or less, especially during periods of extreme weather, to reduce plant stress and damage during transit.

Most plants ship best when temperatures remain between 40°F and 70°F (4°C to 21°C). Temperatures outside this range can significantly impact plant health:

• Below 55°F or above 85°F: Plant growth may slow or stop, leading to stress.
• Below 32°F (0°C): Frost damage is highly likely, especially for cuttings or young plants.
• Above 90–95°F (32–35°C): Prolonged exposure can cause wilting, dehydration, and leaf scorch.

To protect your shipment, please consider the following:

• Check weather forecasts for both the shipping origin and destination before ordering.
• Know your plants - some varieties are more tolerant of heat or cold.
• Minimize exposure time by choosing express or overnight shipping.
• Request insulated packaging or heat (available for $5) to stabilize temperatures.
• Delay shipping when conditions are extreme. We will work with you to hold and ship your plants when it is safe to do so.

Orders placed by 12:00 PM EST Monday through Wednesday are processed and shipped the same day. Orders placed after 12:00 PM Wednesday will ship the following Tuesday (excluding holidays).

For non-perishable items (such as garden supplies and home goods), rates differ based on weight and dimensions. These orders are typically processed the same day (excluding weekends and holidays). Orders placed after 12:00 PM will ship the next business day.

Peak Season & Holiday Shipping Disclaimer

During peak seasons and holidays, order processing and shipping times may experience delays due to increased volume, limited carrier availability, or weather-related disruptions. While we do our best to fulfill all orders as quickly as possible, please allow additional time for processing and delivery during these periods.

Orders are processed in the order they are received, and priority shipping does not guarantee same-day processing. We recommend placing orders early during high-traffic seasons to help ensure timely arrival. Thank you for your patience and for supporting our small business during the busiest times of year.

We have two peak seasons – Thanksgiving through January 1^st  & March through May

Receiving & Inspecting Your Order

All shipments should be inspected immediately upon arrival. For live plants, customers must notify us of any damage, defects, or incorrect items within 12 hours of delivery. Claims must include photographs of the plant(s) and packaging, along with your name and order number, sent to sales@amgardens.com or by phone at 423-305-2629. If you reach after hours, please leave a voicemail and text this number with the photos. Please include your name and order number.

For non-perishable items, inspection must occur within 24 hours of delivery, with photos and order details provided by email or text.

Plant Care Requirements

Live plants are sensitive to transit, and while we package them with care, minor cosmetic issues such as yellowing leaves or bent stems are normal and do not qualify as damage. To help your plant acclimate (and to maintain warranty eligibility) follow these steps immediately after delivery:

• Remove the plant from its shipping box immediately.

• Keep the root ball and soil intact; soil should be moist but not oversaturated.

• Place the plant, with its soil, into a small pot and water lightly.

• Allow the plant to rest indoors for 48 hours at room temperature or under a covered porch, out of direct sunlight.

• Trim any damaged foliage. Avoid fertilizing or re-potting houseplants for two weeks.

• For outdoor plants, follow the care guidelines specific to the species and to the time of year.  We offer a brief planting guide with your order, but planting zones vary so be sure to consult your local garden center professionals if you have any questions. (We wouldn’t advise going to a big box store)

30-Day Limited Warranty

America’s Gardens offers a 30-day limited warranty on select shipped plants, if care instructions are followed and any concerns are reported within 12 hours of delivery. If a plant dies despite proper care, we will provide a replacement or store credit (shipping not included). Plant death must be confirmed with photographs and a scratch test on woody plants must be sent for us to verify that it is dead.

If a plant you’ve received begins to decline or shows signs of stress within the first 30 days, we encourage you to contact us right away. Our team is here to help you troubleshoot and find a solution and provide guidance on care. The sooner we hear from you, the more likely it is that we can help the plant recover.

This warranty does not cover:

• Unreported issues beyond the 12-24-hour window.
• Neglect, improper watering (under watering & over watering), or failure to follow care instructions.
• Planting in poor soil conditions, environments not suitable for that species, and/or outside the recommended growing zone.
• Weather damage or mishandling by shipping carriers. This includes damage caused by extreme temperatures.
• Acts of God such as but not limited too - damaged by weather, drought, chemicals, fire, floods, frost/freeze damage, animal damage, wind damage, storm damage. or other external events.
• House plants, Potted plants, Annuals, sale items, seasonal plants (such as mums, poinsettias and Christmas trees) gift cards, or dormant plants reported after 30 days.
• Replacement of already replaced plants. 

Refunds & Processing

Refund and replacement requests are reviewed by management before approval. Once reviewed, you will be contacted directly regarding next steps. Shipping fees are non-refundable and, except in cases of error on our part, replacement shipping costs are the responsibility of the customer.