When we moved into our new home, one of the first things I dreamed about was transforming our plain backyard into something special—shade trees, privacy hedges, a little citrus corner. I wanted it to feel lush and inviting for us and every guest who walked through our garden gate.
So, like many DIY-loving homeowners, I started at Home Depot. But after a few too many “is this even going to survive?” moments, I tried Fast Growing Trees… and never looked back. Here's my honest take on both, based on the key things I learned along the way.
If you want the healthiest, dare I say happiest plants, go with Fast Growing Trees

Home Depot plants sometimes look great in-store—but they’ve often been living in a parking lot, which isn’t exactly the ideal environment for them to thrive. I had a flowering tree from there lose half its leaves before I even got it in the ground.
With Fast Growing Trees, I noticed the difference immediately—full, healthy root systems and vibrant, robust plants that looked ready to grow. That’s because their trees are raised in nurseries by trained horticulturists and plant science experts who actually know how to care for them properly.
Plus, everything is tailored to your ZIP code—so you get plants that are climate-matched to your region. No more guessing or risking a tree that can’t handle your local weather.
If you want convenience, skip the cart struggle and go with Fast Growing Trees

Transporting a tree in the back of your car is a struggle. I’ve done the whole trunk-half-open, bungee-cord-situation more than once. It’s not fun, not to mention the dirt that you’re left with trying to get out for days. Fast Growing Trees delivers straight to your door, and the packaging? Secure! They’re packaged by their plant care team who inspects and packs each tree securely to make sure it arrives ready to thrive. The trees arrived looking fresh, well-hydrated, and ready to plant.
It saved me time and mess, and honestly, that convenience alone is a game-changer for anyone planning a full yard refresh.
If you need expert advice on choosing what to plant, pick Fast Growing Trees

I’m a pretty hands-on person, but when it comes to picking the right species for sunlight, soil, and seasonal needs, I needed backup. At Home Depot, I got a mix of good guesses and quick Google searches on my phone.
Fast Growing Trees, though, felt like shopping with a plant-savvy friend. Their online guides explain everything, and their team was an easy and friendly call away to help when I had a question about spacing and care. It gave me the confidence to try new varieties (hello, dwarf olive tree!) I wouldn’t have picked otherwise. Based on my chat with the Plant Expert and the information on the tree page, this plant is sure to thrive in my yard!
If you want more variety without going crazy, go with Fast Growing Trees

Home Depot’s selection is decent, especially for common shrubs and starter trees. But when I was searching for something specific (a cold-hardy lemon tree and a fast-growing privacy hedge), I hit a wall. Every for the trees they had in stock, I was limited in the number each that I could buy. I needed multiple privacy trees, and I was limited to the 3 they had in stock.
Fast Growing Trees has over 1,600 types of plants and trees to choose from, and their website makes it super easy to narrow things down. You can filter by sun exposure, size, maintenance level, growth rate, flower color, and more. It made planning my backyard feel less overwhelming and more like… well, a fun weekend project.
My Final Pick: Fast Growing Trees
If you want a lush, personalized landscape without the guesswork or heavy lifting, Fast Growing Trees makes it easier—full stop. From doorstep delivery to zone-smart guidance and healthier plants, Fast Growing Trees saved me so much time — no trip to the store, no cleaning my car, and no chance of turning up empty handed because the store didn’t have what I was looking for.
Not only do the Plant Experts help you find the right trees, but they also help you keep them growing! If I have any questions throughout the growing process, they’re there to help. Oh and the best part, they back up their trees with their Alive and Thrive guarantee.
Ready to take your yard from "meh" to magazine-worthy? Fast Growing Trees is absolutely worth the dig. 🌳