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Peruse our list of available houseplants, succulents, tropicals, and carnivorous plants at Painters. Including our famous tropical ferns! The list is updated weekly during open seasons to reflect any new additions or sold out items. Prices and availability are subject to change.​ HOUSEPLANT & SUCCULENT AVAILABILITY Annual & Perennial Growing List Tree & Shrub Availability Houseplant Availability This list is updated daily. Prices and availability are subject to change. This list does not show discounted prices. Weekly sales are listed in our newsletter or New this Week page. Coming for one specific item? Or don't see what you're looking for? Please Contact us . Tree and Shrub Availability Tree and Shrub Availability

Peruse our list of available houseplants, succulents, tropicals, and carnivorous plants at Painters. Including our famous tropical ferns! The list is updated weekly during open seasons to reflect any new additions or sold out items. Prices and availability are subject to change.​ HOUSEPLANT & SUCCULENT AVAILABILITY Annual & Perennial Growing List Tree & Shrub Availability Houseplant Availability The list is updated at the start of each business day to reflect any new additions or sold out items. Prices and availability are subject to change. This list does not show discounted prices. Weekly sales are listed in our newsletter or New this Week page. Coming for one specific item? Or don't see what you're looking for? Please Contact us . Tree and Shrub Availability Tree and Shrub Availability

Since 1973 Painters Greenhouse has supplied Western North Carolina with high-quality, locally grown plants. Located just off the beaten path our seasonal family-owned greenhouse is known for its focus on native and pollinator plants, mature houseplants, and wide selection. Grown Locally to Thrive Locally Home: Welcome and Newsletter Signup 2026 FALL SEASON September 9 - October 11 Wednesday - Friday: 9am-5pm Saturday - Sunday: 9am - 4pm Monday - Tuesday: Closed SIGN UP FOR THE PAINTERS NEWSLETTER Subscribe to our newsletter! CLICK HERE TO GET THE DIRT NEW THIS WEEK Bulbs Have Arrived! View More New This Week Plant bulbs now for a spectacular spring display! Depth & Dimension, Color & Contrast View More New This Week Sale Selections Sept 16th - 20th Plant Spotlight and Sale View More New This Week Three Spectacular Cherry Laurels! MORE WEEKLY NEWS GROWN LOCALLY TO THRIVE LOCALLY For 49 years our family business has supplied WNC with high quality plants. We grow more than 90% of our plants on site. Our goal is to provide plants grown with intention and sustainability for our community. LEARN MORE GROWN LOCALLY TO THRIVE LOCALLY For over 50 years, our family business has supplied WNC with high-quality plants—growing more than 90% of them right here on-site. Our goal is simple: to offer plants grown with intention, sustainability, and deep care for our community. READ MORE A FOCUS ON NATIVES Planting native is a wonderful way to support a biodiverse ecosystem in your backyard — from the bottom to the top of the food chain. We're proud to offer one of the largest selections of homegrown native plants in WNC! LEARN MORE WHAT WE GROW Described as a paradise for plant lovers, we have over 100,000 sq. ft. of growing and retail space and cultivate over 1,000 species on site. We grow our plants with care and intention and sell direct to our faithful retail customers. Our plants are inspected and watered by hand and don't suffer shipping damage or transport from another climate. We are widely known for our focus on natives and pollinator plants, our vast selection of perennials (over 900 varieties), our giant Boston Ferns, and our lush houseplant offerings. PLANT LISTS FROM OUR BLOG Will the Real New England Aster Please Stand Up? Where to Go From Here: A Streambank Restoration Toolbox Not Just a Looker! The Many Benefits of the American Beautyberry MORE FROM OUR BLOG Follow Us on Social Media @PaintersGreenhouse WHAT PEOPLE SAY Dana C. Painters is a treasure! Their staff and owners are fantastic! Their plant selection is enormous and it's clear they take deep pride in what they do. Barb S. I have never been to Painter's and NOT been thrilled! Even this early in the season the selection was amazing, and as always, the staff was friendly and very helpful. Left with a car full of treasures! Britt T. Best greenhouse around WNC. Helpful employees, great selection and prices. A must visit

Evergreen hedges are planted for a variety of reasons: privacy, wind block, noise dampener, and even to create “rooms” within a landscape. Regardless of your reasons, we have plenty of options to help create an evergreen hedge to suit your growing conditions and needs. When planning, make sure to take into consideration the following factors: SUNLIGHT How much sun does your planting site get? It’s important to install plants that will thrive in the light conditions you have. Full sun = 6+ hours of direct sunlight per day Part sun = 4-6 hours of direct sunlight per day, with some hours being in the afternoon (does not need to be contiguous hrs.) Part shade = 4-6 hours of direct sunlight per day, but most should be coming in the morning when the sun’s rays are less intense Full shade = Between 1.5-4 hours of sunlight, preferably in the morning DIMENSIONS How much planting space do you have? Make sure to take measurements of both the length and the width of the planting area to determine how many plants you’ll have room for. This is especially important if you’re planting along a property boundary – be clear where the line is and how much room for growth you have, so you won't encroach on a neighbor’s space. HEIGHT Don’t forget to look up! Do you have power lines that run overhead, an existing tree canopy, or an awning/roofline? You’ll need to be conscious of the maximum height you can work with for the site, too. HOW TO PLANT FOR NATURAL SCREENING Too often screening is planted in a straight line using only one species. This planting style can be easy and economical, but it can also be problematic in the future if one tree were to die leaving a seemingly big gap in the screening. Planting in a monoculture can also be problematic if a species-specific disease were to infect the area as it can wipe out the whole stand. If your planting space’s width allows, it can be beneficial to add different plant species in a staggered, zig-zag pattern (see the above diagram). Not only will this planting style allow for improved visual interest with varied textures, but it can also quickly give the appearance of a denser screening. Finally, more diversity of plants means more wildlife benefits. (Note that if your screen doesn't need to be extremely tall, there are a lot of native shrub and tree options that are both beautiful and beneficial, though most aren't evergreen. Click here for a great article listing 15 natives for screening.) It can be tempting to plant a dense row of plants to add “instant screening”, but it’s important to space your hedge appropriately to allow plants enough space to account for their mature width, which plans for appropriate air circulation for a healthy hedge! If instant screening is a must consider purchasing larger field-grown plants from a field-grown tree nursery. These larger plants can be dug, balled-and-burlapped, and often delivered to your residence. Another option is to install plants densely and plan to remove/cut down every other tree several years later once it’s filled in and to allow for more space as the trees mature. This article focuses on evergreen trees and shrubs, but note that screening can be accomplished in a variety of ways! If screening a small space, consider vines on trellises or large containers filled with tall grasses or flowering perennials. TREES & SHRUBS FOR SCREENING Shade Options Part Shade/Part Sun Options Full Sun Options TLDR: Quick Guide SHADE OPTIONS Skip Laurel – Prunus laurocerasus ‘Schipkaensis’ Goblet-shaped form – plan for the height to be twice the width. A great option as a hedge in shadier areas or areas receiving dappled shade/filtered sun. Lower branches are a bit loose, if the desired effect is dense foliage from the top down, be sure to plant lower shrubs in the foreground of the planting bed. White blooms in spring. A very resilient and easy to care for shrub – tolerant of shearing. USDA Growing Zones: 6-9 Height: 10-15’ (moderate growing, reaches 6-10’ in 10 years) Spread: 5-7’ Sun Exposure: Full shade, part shade, part sun – very versatile with light needs! Soil Needs: Very adaptable – tolerant of dry/poor soils, alkaline or acidic soil. The only requirement is that the soil drains well and the shrub is not in standing water. It may need more water in hot summers. Rhododendron (photo: NC State Extension) Rhododendron – Rhododendron hybrids & Rhododendron catawbiense A great evergreen option that adds vibrant color in spring! Shorter varieties can be used in the foreground of a staggered privacy hedge, while taller varieties can reach up to 10’ in height and can stand on its own as a privacy screen. USDA Growing Zones: 4-8 Height: 4-10’ (depending on variety) Spread: 4-10’ (depending on variety) Sun Exposure: Prefers dappled shade throughout the day, next best is morning sun and afternoon shade Soil Needs: Moist soil, well-draining soil with an abundance of organic matter. Prefers acidic soil (pH between 4.5-6.0). Rhododendrons have shallow, fine hair-like roots – make sure not to plant too deeply to allow adequate oxygen for healthy root growth (and don't smother the roots with mulch). Several varieties and hybrids of Rhododendron often available at Painters Greenhouse: Nova Zembla – Bright red flowers PJM Elite – Lavender-pink blooms, exceptionally cold hardy Chionoides – Creamy white flowers with yellow centers Grandiflorum – Long-lasting, lilac-purple blooms Roseum Pink – Large, clear pink flowers PART SHADE/PART SUN OPTIONS Fragrant Tea Olive / Sweet Olive (photo: NC State Extension) Fragrant Tea Olive / Sweet Olive – Osmanthus fragrans A dense shrub with extremely fragrant flowers in spring, and blooms sporadically again in the fall. Note Sweet Olive is hardy to zone 8 – it may not make it through an especially cold winter if you’re in zone 7 or below. USDA Growing Zones: 8-10 Height: 10-20’ Spread: 10-20’ Sun Exposure: Full sun/part shade (afternoon shade preferred in hot southern climates) Soil Needs: Moist soil with good drainage. Drought tolerant once established. Can tolerate heavy clay soils. Viburnum 'Pragense' - Photo by Jerzy Opioła Prague Viburnum - Viburnum ‘Pragense’ This rounded, multi-stemmed evergreen shrub is known for its glossy leaves and fragrant blooms. It works as an excellent hedge (it's quite amenable to pruning!) or specimen plant. Plus, it is generally considered deer resistant. USDA Growing Zones: 5-8 Height: 8-12’ Spread: 8-12’ Sun Exposure: Full sun/part shade Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained soil. Sasanqua Camellias Camellia sasanqua 'Yuletide' This species of camellias blooms much earlier than Camellia japonica. Blooms appear in late-fall to early-winter, giving a showy display during the holidays. Space camellias appropriately to promote good air circulation. Look at your zone when selecting camellias – some are more tolerant of cold than others. If you are on the cusp, make sure to plant camellias in part shade to allow for less drastic swings in temperatures in the winter. All camellias prefer well-drained, loose, acidic soil. Avoid standing water as they are prone to root rot. Camellia ‘Slim n’ Trim’ Camellia sasanqua USDA Growing Zones: 7b-9 Height: 6-8’ tall Spread: 3-4’ wide Known for its Deep pink blooms Camellia ‘Yuletide’ Camellia sasanqua USDA Growing Zones: 7-9 Height: 8-10' tall Spread: 8-10’ wide Known for its fiery red blooms with bright yellow stamens in the center Camellia ‘Just Chill Red Tip’ – Camellia hybrid USDA Growing Zones: 7-9 Height: 5-8’ tall Spread: 3-5’ wide Known for its light pink blooms Nellie R. Stevens Holly (photo: NC State Extension) Nellie R. Stevens Holly – Ilex cornuta x aquifolium ‘Nellie R. Stevens’ An attractive, broad pyramidal-shaped female holly with an abundance of red berries – no male holly needed to cross-pollinate for fruit to set! Berries present in fall through winter. This selection was bred to tolerate southern summers and is heat, drought, and air pollution tolerant! USDA Growing Zones: 6-9 Height: 15-20’ Spread: 8-12’ Sun Exposure: Full sun, part shade Soil Needs: Prefers slightly acidic, medium-moist, well-drained soils Pieris japonica ‘Mountain Fire’ ‘Mountain Fire’ Japanese Andromeda – Pieris japonica ‘Mountain Fire’ Japanese Andromeda is an early blooming shrub with drooping clusters of white bell-shaped flowers. Bees love this shrub! New growth at stem tips is a scarlet red and contrasts well with existing dark green growth. USDA Growing Zones: 5-8 Height: reaches 6-10’ (slower growing) Spread: reaches 6-10’ (slower growing) Sun Exposure: Part shade / Part sun Soil Needs: Prefers moist, well-drained acidic soil FULL SUN OPTIONS Angelica Blue Juniper (Photo: Plantmaster.com) Angelica Blue Juniper – Juniperus chinensis ‘Angelica Blue’ An excellent option for low screening, windbreak, or in the front row of a staggered planting. Adds a feathery texture and a pop of silvery blue/green color. Tolerant of drought, heat, winds, and deer do not prefer to browse on it! USDA Growing Zones: 3-9 Height: 4-5’ Spread: 5-10’ Sun Exposure: Full sun preferred; part sun tolerated Soil Needs: Prefers well-drained soil, does not tolerate standing water King’s Gold False Cypress (Gold Mop) (photo: NC State Extension) King’s Gold False Cypress (Gold Mop) – Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘King’s Gold’ A shorter and slower growing option but adds a spray of bright green and golden color with threadlike texture. Works well in areas with limited overhead height and in the foreground of staggered plantings. Relatively low maintenance, drought tolerant, and deer resistant! USDA Growing Zones: 5-9 Height: Eventually reaching 5’ Spread: Eventually reaching 7’ Sun Exposure: Full sun preferred; part sun tolerated Soil Needs: Prefers well-drained soil, does not tolerate standing water. Steeds Japanese Holly (photo: NC State Extension) Steeds Japanese Holly – Ilex crenata ‘Steeds’ Upright pyramidal shrub with dense, lustrous, dark green foliage. The leaves of Japanese Holly are not pointy like those of a typical holly, they are rounded! Very easy to grow, virtually maintenance-free - if you’re looking for a tidy form like a boxwood this is your plant! It responds well to shearing and can work as a more formal hedge (see above) if desired. USDA Growing Zones: 5-9 Height: 6-8’ Spread: 5-6’ Sun Exposure: Full sun preferred; part sun tolerated Soil Needs: Adaptable to a wide range of soils, just needs to be well-draining Fernspray False Cypress (Photo: Taylornursery.com) Fernspray False Cypress – Chaemaecyparis obtusa ‘Fernspray’ A very graceful, open, irregular habit with a lot of personality! Fern-like green foliage adds a different texture among mixed planting screenings. USDA Growing Zones: 4-8 Height: Slow growing to 10-20’ Spread: 8-16’ Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade Soil Needs: Well draining soil, adaptable to most soil types Hiba Arborvitae Hiba Arborvitae - Thujopsis dolabrata Hiba has some of the most interesting foliage – shaped like fan coral and with emerald green on the top side and contrasting silvery green on the underside. Its overall shape is pyramidal and dense with horizontal branching structure that sweeps upward at the tips. This is not the best option for windbreaks, as it can be susceptible to winter burn. USDA Growing Zones: 5-7 Height: Slow growing to 30-40’ Spread: 15-20’ Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained soil Janed Gold Arborvitae – Thuja occidentalis ‘Janed Gold’ Janed Gold Arborvitae – Thuja occidentalis ‘Janed Gold’ This is a great columnar option for narrow spaces! Beautiful golden tips and dense conical shape. If it’s planted in shade, the plant will lose its bright coloring and dense habit from stretching. Responds well to shearing in early spring. It is one of the lowest maintenance and showiest! USDA Growing Zones: 5-8 Height: 8’ at 10 years / 20’ at maturity Spread: 4-5’ Sun Exposure: Full sun Soil Needs: Average, moist, well-drained soils Thuja occidentalis ‘Emerald Green’ (photo: fast-growing-trees.net) Emerald Green Arborvitae – Thuja occidentalis ‘Emerald Green’ Another columnar option for narrow planting sites. Dense, tight foliage with a pyramidal shape. Slower growing when compared to Green Giants and Leyland. Tolerant of the heat and humidity of the south and can tolerate periods of drought when established. USDA Growing Zones: 4-8 Height: 10-15’ Spread: 3-4’ Sun Exposure: Full sun Soil Needs: Prefer moist, but well-drained soils Arborvitae ‘Emerald Squeeze’ – Thuja occidentalis ‘Emerald Squeeze’ This dense, compact cultivar is perfect for mid-height hedging. A very low maintenance tree that keeps a tight shape without the need for pruning. This is a compact alternative to Emerald Green while still grow 1-2’ per year. USDA Growing Zones: 4-8 Height: 6-9’ Spread: 2-4’ Sun Exposure: Full sun Soil Needs: Thrives in moist, well-drained soil Leyland Cypress – Cupressocyparis leylandii Leyland Cypress – Cupressocyparis leylandii An easy-to-care-for hedge option with fine, feathery, soft blue-green needles on flattened branches. Noted for its rapid growth (3-5’ per year!), it’s one of the most planted privacy trees. This is the tree for those with little patience for a privacy hedge to fill in and with plenty of space for it to grow. Because Leylands can get so large, you’ll need to account for enough overhead space and also any neighboring structures the roots may cause damage to (sidewalks, foundations, etc.). This is a great tree for an instant hedge, just be mindful that you’ll need to remove individuals after 5-10 years to avoid crowded growing conditions – and be aware that this fast grower doesn’t last forever, average life expectancy of 10-25 years. USDA Growing Zones: 6-10 Height: 60-90’ Spread: 10-15’ Sun Exposure: Full sun Soil Needs: Will grow in a wide range of soils as long as it’s well-drained Leyland Cypress ‘Shorty’ – x Cupressocyparis leylandii ‘Reco Shorty’ If your landscape has a height limit, then this variety of Leyland Cypress will be a better fit while still featuring the same attractive foliage, but in a more manageable package. ‘Shorty’ is a slower-grower and makes a great addition to hedges. USDA Growing Zones: 6-8 Height: 5-10’ Spread: 2-4' Sun Exposure: Full sun Soil Needs: Well-drained soil Green Giant Arborvitae (Photo credit: Missouri Botanical Garden) Green Giant Arborvitae – Thuja x ‘Standishii’ With a dense, narrow, pyramidal habit, that can be kept more compact for screens or hedges with regular pruning. Can be planted 5-6’ apart for a dense privacy screen. Fast growing, with up to 3’ new growth per year when planted in a preferred planting site (note, green giants can tolerate clay soils, but won’t grow as fast). USDA Growing Zones: 5-8 Height: 40-60’ Spread: 12-18’ Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained soils – does not like highly compacted soils or ones that stay soggy Arborvitae ‘Green Splendor’ – Thuja plicata ‘Green Splendor’ Here’s an alternative to the popular green giant variety with a more slender, columnar habit. Still reaching tall heights, it can grow at an average rate of 1-2’ per year! USDA Growing Zones: 5-9 Height: 30-50’ Spread: 8-12' Sun Exposure: Full sun, part shade Soil Needs: Thrives in moist, acidic, well-drained soil Japanese Cedar ‘Yoshino’ – Cryptomeria japonica ‘Yoshino’ Cryptomerias are known for their tight needles spirally arranged around the stem giving the tree a feathery, ropy, stiff appearance when compared to Arborvitae. The fluffy foliage holds its color well throughout winter, taking on only a slight bronze tinge. This very fast grower putting on 2-4’ each year. USDA Growing Zones: 5-8 Height: 30-40’ Spread: 20-30’ Sun Exposure: Full sun, part shade Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-drained soil. Does not tolerate drought or soggy soils. Magnolia grandiflora 'Kay Parris' (Photo credit: NCSU Extension) Southern Magnolia – Magnolia grandiflora ‘Kay Parris’ This evergreen tree is a nativar that is loved for its large, white, wonderfully fragrant spring blooms and lustrous leaves with rusty undersides. This compact variety features a dense, upright, columnar habit making it a good choice for tighter spaces. USDA Growing Zones: 6-9 Height: 15-25’ Spread: 8-10' Sun Exposure: Full sun, part shade Soil Needs: Thrives in rich, moist, well-drained soil As always, find current sizes, prices, and quantities on our website: Click here for a quick copy of this list!

Black walnut (Juglans nigra) is a common tree in our area that is valued for its many qualities – edible hard mast (nuts) for wildlife and humans, leaves as food for over 100 species of moth and butterfly larvae, attracting songbirds to the landscape, valuable wood for furniture and cabinet making, and high tannin content for dying. While black walnuts are prized for many attributes, they also cause gardeners some challenges when planting nearby. Black walnut produces an allelopathic chemical called juglone in all parts of the tree with higher concentrations in the roots, buds, and nut hulls. “Allelopathy” refers to the chemical inhibition of a plant/organism to another, due to the release into the environment of substances acting as germination, growth, survival, or reproduction inhibitors. Allelon which means “of each other”, and pathos which means “to suffer.” Black walnut trees use juglone as a defense mechanism - hindering insect and animal herbivory while also preventing the competitive growth of neighboring plants. What an evolved super-power!! The roots, branches and leaves of the black walnut tree release juglone into the soil, discouraging the growth of other plants nearby and thereby reserving more of the area's natural resources for the tree itself. For many plants, this toxin leads to yellowing leaves, leaf drop, wilting and eventual death. It's very common to see a bare patch around the base of a black walnut tree. What does this mean for gardeners? Be mindful of putting black walnut leaves, twigs, and nuts in your compost – if you do – make sure the compost is aged before applying it to your garden. Be aware there are some plants that can tolerate juglone and others that are highly susceptible to juglone. Sensitive plants would need to be planted outside of the root zone of a black walnut. Plants sensitive to juglone include: some annuals include nightshades (tomatoes, potatoes, tobacco, peppers, petunias), cabbages, asparagus sensitive shrubs include blueberry, chokeberry, cotoneaster, hydrangea, lilac, privet, rhododendron, yew, and some viburnum species sensitive trees include linden, white pine, Norway spruce, silver maple, crabapple/apple, willow, red maple Research is fairly limited on which plants can tolerate juglone in their root zones, but here are a couple resources to check out: Note that even if a black walnut tree is removed from your landscape, it could take years for the juglone to leave the soil – this is especially true for wet sites or poor draining sites with heavy clay. Some people can be sensitive to juglone. Skin contact with fresh saw dust and nut hull juices may be irritating. Wear proper protection if cutting down a black walnut – breathing in fresh cut sap/saw dust may upset your respiratory system. Ingesting fresh leaves and nut hulls is not advised. While “digging deeper” on this topic, I found that there are a lot of conflicting information. It’s apparent that not much recent research has been published and a lot of the plants that are listed as tolerant of juglone are found by trial and error among gardeners. We’d love for you to share any of your observations here in the comment box of the blog post! One of the most enjoyable things about gardening is sharing amongst others! Note: There are other trees in our area that produce juglone, but to a lesser degree. Included are: butternut, English and Persian walnut, and hickories. And then shopping at Painters, we've tagged our trees and shrubs so you can refine your search with an easy sort. Go to our Tree and Shrub Availability Page and use the final column to narrow to juglone tolerant plants (or search 'Juglone' in the search bar). Then you can see exactly what we have in stock for your soil needs!

Callicarpa americana Callicarpa americana berries, close-up On Sale this September 8th through September 13th at Painters. American beautyberry is a fast growing, native, deciduous shrub mostly known for the magnificent violet-magenta berry display in late September and early October. The bright berries are a color not often seen in nature and their arrangement of tight clusters around the leaf nodes are just as unusual. While not one for stunning fall color, the anemic looking green leaves will quickly turn yellow before abscission, but the loss of leaves unveil the colorful, bright berries. The shrub is high-impact visually, a trait that benefits both the viewer and wildlife when planted en masse. Callicarpa americana, American Beautyberry Since the blooms and berries are borne on new growth, pruning is best done in late winter before leafing out. Prune down to 6-18” from ground if you’d like to keep the shrub looking its best. If left unchecked, the shrub can reach up to 8 feet tall and wide. American beautyberry does tend to get a little scraggly as it ages and benefits from a cleanup each year with removal of dead limbs at the very least. American beautyberry is considered a pioneer species, often appearing in open areas after land is cleared. This makes it an exceptional beneficial species as it provides a source of nutrient dense food for birds, mammals, and other wildlife in a landscape that could be going through transition and may not have a bounty of food or shelter at that moment in time. Nectar and pollen in early summer blooms attract native bees and butterflies. Pioneer species are generally tough plants that can handle volatile conditions. Beautyberry is highly tolerant of fire, drought (once established), and heavy browsing by animals. But with the hardy traits comes an intolerance of shade, so it often declines when mid-story vegetation is dense. When planting in the landscape make sure to keep the shrub at the edge of the woods or in open areas. Callicarpa americana flower close-up American beautyberry is a host plant for the rustic sphinx moth, spring azure butterflies, and snowberry clearwing moths. The fruit are high in moisture content, protein, and fat and provide food to over forty species of songbirds including American robin, cedar waxwings, warblers, finches, and the eastern towhee as well as mammals including armadillo, foxes, opossum, racoon, and squirrels. The fat content in the berries means amazing fuel for migrating birds in fall and winter when the fruit are present. American beautyberry has 70% fat content in the berries--as a comparison spicebush has 50% and native dogwoods have 25%. Asian beautyberries only have somewhere around 5% fat content. Asian beautyberries were introduced to the US in 1845 and are often found in commercial and home landscapes. (Painters even once carried the Asian variety. We all are learning and growing in our journey!) Not only are they considered invasive, but they can also hybridize with our native beautyberry. The hybridization can weaken the berries' nutritional value, favorable nesting habitat, palatability to host caterpillars, decrease berry size and the overall genetic strength of our native American beautyberry. You can identify Asian beautyberries by their looser fruit clusters that dangle further from the stem and ripen much earlier than the American species (August/early September). The branches on the Asian species are longer and weeping in habit and do not support nesting as much as the native species. One American beautyberry shrub can bear 3-5 pounds of fruit in one season and it’s not just enjoyed by wildlife, but humans as well! The fruit is not juicy, but more of a pithy pulp with a mild sweet taste with spicy notes, similar to Asian five spice. Harvest when the fruit tastes best after nighttime temps have dipped in the low 40s, but before fruit has experienced multiple freezes. You can find several recipes online for extracting the juice and making jelly, here's a great one: Growing Conditions and Quick Facts: Abundant berries from Callicarpa americana NAME: Callos means “beauty” and carpos means “fruit”. NATIVE RANGE: Distributed through the southeastern United States from Texas east to Maryland. It grows in the Caribbean and northern Mexico, too. FUN FACT: American beautyberry has antibacterial and pest-deterring properties. Native American tribes used roots, leaves and branches to treat malarial fevers, rheumatism, stomachaches and dysentery. In the early 20th century, farmers would crush the leaves and place them under the harnesses of horses and mules to repel mosquitoes. Crushing leaves and rubbing on your skin can also deter fire ants, ticks, deer flies and mosquitoes. Some people are allergic to the hairy leaves and it may cause contact dermatitis--make sure you’re not allergic before applying directly to your skin. The two compounds responsible for the repellant are callicarpenal and intermedeol. GROWING CONDITIONS: SOIL Prefers well-drained, moist soil rich in organic matter, but can tolerate sand or clay soils, too. Appreciates mulch to help keep roots protected and moist while becoming established. Handles a wide range of pH levels (4.8-7.0). SUNLIGHT Full sun is best for fruit production, but can tolerate light shade HEIGHT/WIDTH 3-8’ tall and wide--size can be easily managed with pruning in late winter/early spring ZONES (6)7-10 – American beautyberry is intolerant to cold temperatures in single digits or below, especially in younger more susceptible plants. If growing in zone 6, planting in a container and moving under cover in the winter could be beneficial.