Our Resources & Guides page is a great place to find the answers you're looking for! New This Week May 15, 2023 Have a Gardening or Plant Care Question? Our Resources & Guides page is a great place to find the answers you're looking for! Have you caught the buzz about pollinator gardens and want to learn how you can plant your own? Are you looking to start your own compost this summer? Curious if there are any deer-resistant plants? Want to know what houseplants are pet safe? Never planted a tree before and need to learn how? You'll find the answers to these questions and more on our Resources Page: www.paintersgreenhouse.com Our Resources | Painters Greenhouse Resources we recommend for WNC gardeners and plant folks! Featuring a wealth of information on native gardening, supporting wildlife, and edible gardening, as well as categorized lists of plants, houseplant tips, recipes and more.

Regional Seeds for a Flourishing Garden New This Week May 11, 2026 Utopian Seeds Now at Painters Regional Seeds for a Flourishing Garden Painters is delighted to introduce a collection of seeds from a regional team we truly respect and admire: Utopian Seed Project “From seed saving and crop trials to community outreach and education, Utopian Seed Project is dedicated to fostering diverse and resilient foodways.” The Utopian Seed Project is a WNC non-profit dedicated to cultivating, researching, and celebrating agricultural biodiversity in the Southeast. Their work focuses on building resilient and equitable food systems by emphasizing crop diversity, seed sovereignty, and regional adaptation. They manage an experimental farm to research and grow diverse crops, selecting and breeding varieties specifically adapted to our regional environment. Their interest includes a wide range of produce, such as yacon, okra, taro, collards, bitter melon, and southern peas. We are thrilled to be carrying their seeds for sale at Painters! Whether you are looking to add to your garden this spring or stock up for fall or future seasons, find Utopian Seed Project seeds at Painters while we have ‘em! At Painters this spring. Supplies are limited! And beyond growing, the Utopian Seed Project engages in broader community support, including projects like the Appalachian Growers Seed Collective (which focuses on seed sovereignty), the Heirloom Collard Project, and the Leicester Food Coalition. As well as storytelling!! Through their "Crop Stories" project and podcast, they document the cultural and emotional significance of seeds, exploring how saving seeds connects people to their heritage and one another. Read more about their seeds, their mission and all they have going on at www.utopianseed.org : www.utopianseed.org Utopian Seed Project | Join the Movement Today Explore Utopian Seed Project's efforts in promoting crop diversity, seed sovereignty, and resilient regional food systems through education and collaboration.

Alternatives to Pampas Grass and Chinese Silvergrass New This Week September 29, 2025 Plant This Not That Alternatives to Pampas Grass and Chinese Silvergrass TLDR: Reseeds to the point of invasiveness. Highly flammable. Also scarily sharp. We’ve got great alternatives here at Painters! “Our Plant This, Not That” series is intended as a helpful starter tool for choosing non-invasive alternatives. If it is sold at a garden store, it should be harmless, right!? If only this were always true! At Painters, we routinely assess our program to ensure we never sell plants that are deemed invasive in North Carolina. Invasive plants grow quickly and spread rapidly, outcompeting natives in our natural environment. They can create silos of monoculture that not only reduces plant variety, but significantly alter habitats, making it difficult for native insects, birds, and mammals to find the resources they need to live, eat, and reproduce. They can affect farmlands and forests and even infrastructure, becoming costly in a number of ways. Sometimes we see the clear impact (like when the non-native wisteria eats grandma’s front porch!) but sometimes the impact is felt further afield. Seeds travel through wind and water, birds and animals. You may think 'what’s the harm' in leaving that last butterfly bush or Japanese beautyberry--they’re so beautiful! But just because you don’t see them nearby doesn’t mean they aren't reseeding the forest edge two valleys over. Birds and insects and wind can disperse seeds long distances! And while you might be really good at pruning back or weeding down, who’s to tend the aggressive plant in 50 years? Or downstream? Or the train-track right-of-way? In this segment of our invasive alternatives, we hope to shed some light on two commonly requested grasses: pampas grass and miscanthus or eulalia (also referred to as Chinese or Japanese silvergrass). Both Miscanthus sinensis (Eulalia) or Cortaderia selloana Pampas Grass were brought to the United States from their native regions (Asia for Miscanthus and South America for Pampas Grass) for use as ornamental grasses. But their flaws make them more danger than delight. Pampas grass’s whip-like blades are terrifyingly sharp. (When we refer to their blades , it’s the truth–a literal stand of knives!) Not only difficult to garden around, but dangerous to children, pets, and other wildlife. The serrated edges make for undesirable habitat and if ingested, the sharp blades can cut mouths, throats, or digestive tracts of pets. Not only threatening physically, a single pampas grass plume can produce 100,000 seeds each year and once lifted into the wind, they can colonize large swaths in unintended areas. Similarly, miscanthus also reseeds to the point of invasiveness in our region–because they often favor disturbed sites such as roadsides they can be assumed less problematic, but edge habitats are critical to many species of birds, mammals, pollinators and more. Plus miscanthus has a large rhizomatus root structure that once established is incredibly difficult to eradicate. Both of these invasive grasses also have high flammability ratings--invasive plant species as a whole tend to grow rapidly and form large monoculture stands creating conditions where wildfire is more prevalent and also more intense. These invasive grasses have a multiplying effect on that tendency. They dry out in mid-to late summer and fall becoming highly combustible and dangerous in the case of fire. Add this to a woodland edge and the whole region increases its risk. But maybe you really love how pretty they look! If you are drawn to the tall and dramatic presentation of these ornamental grasses, any Big Bluestem is a great alternative. Tall and attractive with striking seedheads for visual interest throughout the seasons, these grasses are also incredibly beneficial for birds and wildlife in the winter. Leaving the seedheads provides food for wildlife and makes a great winter habitat. Just prune it all back in the spring. This season at Painters we are carrying the straight species Big Bluestem plus three gorgeous varieties ‘Holy Smoke,’ ‘Blackhawks,’ and ‘Red October.’ 'Karl Foerster' Feather Reed Grass photo from Walters Gardens, Inc. Another incredible alternative is Karl Foerster feather reed grass. This is the most similar in appearance to pampas grass so you don’t have to sacrifice beauty! It’s an ornamental grass whose seedheads are sterile so no worry about it colonizing outside of your garden. It is easy to grow and the plumes last a really long time. Beneficial AND beautiful! Find it at Painters this fall. (Read more about falling in love with grasses in our blog: https://www.paintersgreenhouse.com/post/developing-a-love-for-ornamental-grasses )

We're already potting up next spring's ferns! New This Week October 5, 2022 Behind the Scenes with Our Boston Ferns We're already potting up next spring's ferns! We've been growing our ferns for months and just potted them up into the hanging baskets you'll find them in next spring. Did you know we grow almost 10,000 ferns at Painters every year, including Boston, Petticoat, Macho, Tiger, and several other annual ferns as well as our MANY species of perennials ferns? We are most known for our massive Boston Fern hanging baskets, and we grow over 4,000 of them! Our staff potting up ferns! Next step - hang thousands of baskets from the ceiling - its a big job! https://video.wixstatic.com/video/a514f4_22a7ac0b0dbe40e2b7f2a7a2969943c9/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

Painters is Out for Summer New This Week June 28, 2026 Thanks for a Great Spring! Painters is Out for Summer No more sedum, No more sprouts*, No more watering during droughts! See you for fall planting! SPRING 2026: Now Closed FALL SEASON 2026: Sept 9 - Oct 11 *" No more sprouts... no more watering... " this is NOT true! We have seedlings and sprouts–we are planting all the new crops for your gorgeous fall gardens and can't wait to have you join us. See you in September!

Your Giant Ferns are Growing In for Spring New This Week October 17, 2023 Behind the Scenes with Painter's Famous Ferns Your Giant Ferns are Growing In for Spring Those famous Painters ferns are being grown in for you to take home next spring! Peek behind the scenes as we cultivate these giant tropical beauties. Freshly planted Boston Fern plugs (they arrive as tiny 1" square babies!). Kimberley Queen Ferns are more upright, don't shed, and can tolerate a range of sun exposure. Here they are after a month of growing. Production Team members hard at work transplanting rooted ferns from pots to their final homes in hanging baskets. Painters grows thousands of tropical ferns each year, and several varieties, so you can get just the right one... or two!... or more! See you March 6th!

Best Nursery (Trees, Shrubs) New This Week September 5, 2024 3rd Best in WNC! Best Nursery (Trees, Shrubs) Your votes came through and we really appreciate all of you taking the time to cast a ballot for Painters Greenhouse: 3rd Best Nursery in Western North Carolina!!! We are proud of what we do and what we can offer to all of you! Visit Mountain Xpress or pick up their free print editions to see how all your other favorite businesses and local folks measured up! And visit us for our Fall Season: we are open five days a week for five full weeks, September 11th through October 13th . We have our widest selection yet: abundant veggies and fruits, colorful blooms, beautiful grasses, beneficial natives, and a massive shrub and tree selection!

Weekly Plant Profile New This Week June 2, 2025 String of Turtles Weekly Plant Profile Peperomia prostrata This may be our favorite houseplant. Incredibly easy care, it’s so great for beginners, but also not something you see everywhere and truly lovely! Its beautifully patterned leaves look like teeny turtle shells! String of Turtles is our favorite ‘string of’ houseplant because it is much more tolerant of a range of light and moisture than others. Grow it in everything from a sunny window to a lower shelf receiving no direct or bright light. The variegation in the tiny adorable leaves is best when in indirect/diffused light–so it rivals string of hearts for being able to handle lower light spots. The succulent leaves hold water and therefore can tolerate forgetful plant parents (underwatering is better than overwatering much like most strings). It looks great and works well in small pots (being a slower grower), but can also trail beautifully in hanging containers as it matures. Plus it's an adorable favorite for fairy gardens and terrariums. Find sizes, prices, and availability on our website A very affordable new plant friend!

Hellebores are one the earliest perennial flowers to bloom, their rose-like blossoms signifying spring is on the horizon! New This Week February 20, 2023 Plant of the Week: Hellebores Hellebores are one the earliest perennial flowers to bloom, their rose-like blossoms signifying spring is on the horizon! Hellebores, also known as Lenten Roses, are very easy to grow in part shade to full sun conditions, provided they have some shelter from harsh winter winds and receive sunlight in the winter. The plant is extremely low-maintenance, only requiring you to clean off dried leaves occasionally (after the severe cold of this past December, you may need to cut back more frost burnt leaves than usual). The blooms on this evergreen perennial last months (sometimes December-May depending on the cultivar!). HELLEBORE 101: USDA Growing Zones: 3-9 Sun Exposure: Ideally partial shade in summer and direct sun in winter, but highly adaptable Soil Needs: Moist but well-drained Water: Like moisture, but don't let them sit in water. Once established they become more drought tolerant and shouldn't need any supplemental watering. Care: Easy Bloom Time: Mid-winter-late spring Flower Colors : White, pink, purple, or yellow Height: 1-2 feet Spread: 1-2 feet We will have multiple varieties of Hellebores available when we open this spring including Apricot Beauty, Winter Queen, Ashwood, Sunflare, and Dorothy's Dawn!

Silvery Bracts & Buttercup Blooms New This Week March 25, 2026 Grape Honeysuckle 'Kintzley's Ghost' Silvery Bracts & Buttercup Blooms If you like a showy climber, silvery foliage, hummingbirds, and a drought-tolerant, deer-resistant plant—then we have the plant for you! Grape Honeysuckle ‘Kintzley’s Ghost’ Lonicera reticulata ‘ Kintzley’s Ghost’ We recently learned of a new deciduous honeysuckle native to the central US: Grape Honeysuckle ‘Kintzley’s Ghost’. This native cultivar was selected by William “Ped” Kintzley who worked in the greenhouses at Iowa State University in the 1880s. The vine was known only to the Kintzley family until a nurseryman discovered it in the landscape of Ped Kintzley’s grandson in Fort Collins, CO. ‘Kintzley’s Ghost’ has beautiful silvery-blue foliage and an almost all-white bract at the base of tubular, yellow blooms. While not fragrant, the summer blooms are great for pollinators (bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds)! The blooms turn to bright red berries in the fall. No worries here, this vine is not invasive like some other honeysuckles ( Lonicera japonica ). Support this climber on a trellis and allow it grow to its full potential of 8-12’ in height. It’s adaptive to most soils. Once this low-maintenance and deer-resistant vine is established, it can even tolerate drought. For the best show of silvery foliage and yellow blooms, grow it in partial shade to full sun (4-6+ hours of sunlight) and in zones 4-8. References: https://plantselect.org/plantstories/horticultural-heirloom-kintzleys-ghost/ These are high-impact plants ready to make a statement immediately. These ready-to-climb pots are a fantastic investment for years of unique foliage and seasonal blooms. But stock is limited! Grab yours now before this ethereal beauty disappears. Lonicera reticulata 'Kintzley's Ghost®' Deciduous vine (z4-8) full sun-part shade Climbing 8-12' Cultivar of a central US native, propagated in the 1800s by an Iowa gardener named William ''Ped'' Kintzley Deer resistant, not aggressive, adaptable to most soils Unique, spectacular, easy-care

To Celebrate Catawba Falls! New This Week April 29, 2024 Plant Feature: Dichondra 'Silver Falls' To Celebrate Catawba Falls! We love this vigorous and reliable accent plant! It has small, rounded and soft, pewter-colored leaves on silver stems that trail over the edge of pots, window boxes, planters, hanging baskets, or even rock walls. Your own cascading falls! It’s heat and drought tolerant and reliably stands up to high temps and even humidity, as long as it’s not overwatered or grown in soggy soil. And it can recover quickly if watered after wilting–which makes for a very forgiving hanging basket or porch pot! 'Silver Falls' in a sweet Part-Shade combo pot Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’ can easily be grown in full sun, but will grow in partial sun as well. Providing as much light as possible will encourage denser growth and preserve the silver coloring. Dichondra argentea 'Silver Falls' Annual Full sun-part shade 4-6'' tall, 2-3' trailing Silvery circular leaves spill luxuriously from containers in waterfall fashion, lending a romantic, dreamy atmosphere to any space Can be kept indoors in bright light until warm weather arrives Aka silver nickel vine Find it in the Painter's Main Greenhouse Aisle 3 along with an abundance of gorgeous trailing and upright accent plants to add textures and color. Find items for sun and shade; we have a lot of fun components for your baskets and other planters. And while we are celebrating Silver Falls, let’s celebrate our own neighborhood falls… Catawba Falls Trail is reopening to the public with a reopening celebration in one month and we can’t wait! After two years of phased improvements to the trail, we are all thrilled to rediscover and reconnect with this natural treasure. Plan your trips to Painters and then take in this beautiful corner of WNC! Find out more by following the US Forest Service Grandfather Ranger District on Facebook @nfsnc or visit www.g5trailcollective.org/catawbafalls to subscribe to Catawba Falls updates.

Add a touch of the tropics to your garden with these remarkable plants, known for their ability to withstand colder temperatures New This Week June 20, 2023 Plant of the Week: Hardy Banana Tree Add a touch of the tropics to your garden with these remarkable plants, known for their ability to withstand colder temperatures If you've always dreamed of creating a tropical paradise in your garden but thought it was impossible due to your climate, think again! These remarkable plants, known for their ability to withstand colder temperatures, offer a touch of the tropics even in regions where bananas wouldn't typically thrive. The hardy banana plant is a true showstopper. Its large, broad leaves can grow up to two feet wide and six feet long, creating a lush and tropical ambiance in your garden. The vibrant green foliage, deeply veined and elegantly shaped, is a striking sight to behold. Even when not in bloom, the hardy banana's foliage alone is enough to bring a touch of the exotic to your outdoor space. COLD HARDY One of the most remarkable aspects of the Hardy Banana plant is its ability to thrive in Western North Carolina's colder climate. While most banana plants are sensitive to frost and require warm, tropical conditions, the Hardy Banana has developed a remarkable hardiness (zones 5-11). With proper protection during the winter months, such as mulching or wrapping, these plants can survive temperatures as low as -10°F (-23°C). CULTIVATION AND CARE Not only does the Hardy Banana plant bring a touch of the tropics to your garden, but it also requires minimal care. It prefers well-draining soil and benefits from regular watering, particularly during hot and dry periods. These plants also appreciate full sun exposure, though they can tolerate partial shade. Additionally, they can adapt to various soil types and are relatively resistant to pests and diseases. GROWTH & PROPOGATION The Hardy Banana is a fast-growing plant, capable of reaching heights of up to 10 to 20 feet within a single growing season. Its rapid growth makes it an excellent choice for filling empty spaces in your garden or adding a touch of verticality to your landscape. As an added benefit, these plants produce offsets, or "pups," which can be easily divided and replanted to propagate new banana plants. CREATE A TROPICAL OASIS In Western North Carolina, the Hardy Banana plant can be a key element in transforming your outdoor space into a tropical oasis. Pair it with other cold-hardy tropical plants, such as palms, elephant ears, or cannas, to create a stunning display that evokes the feeling of being on a distant island. Combine different textures and heights to add depth and visual interest to your garden. Painters Greenhouse frequently carries Hardy Banana plants during our spring season. Check our Growing List for current prices and sizes: www.paintersgreenhouse.com Growing & Availability Lists | Painters Greenhouse Stay informed about what's growing at Painters Greenhouse with our seasonal growing list. You can also browse our current Tree & Shrub or Houseplant Availability Lists to see which plants are ready for you this week!

This week we will be highlighting a couple trees for anyone looking to add some shade to their yard. New This Week June 6, 2022 Trees of the Week: Northern Red Oak and Sun Valley Red Maple This week we will be highlighting a couple trees for anyone looking to add some shade to their yard. Shade trees can help cool your home in summer, add value to your property, shelter for animals, and increase the overall health of your yard. Northern Red Oak - Quercus rubra (pictured above) zones 3-8 Northern Red Oaks have been called "one of the handsomest, cleanest, and stateliest trees in North America" by naturalist Joseph S. Illick. This native, fast growing tree puts on an average of 24" of growth each year and can reach a height of 20' in just 10 years. Acorns first appear when the tree is approximately 25 years old, but aren't produced in abundance until it reaches 40-50 years. This Oak requires full sun and plenty of room to grow - it reaches 60-75' in height with a spread of 45' at maturity. N. Red Oaks tolerate air pollution, compacted, dry and acidic soil. The leaves are bristled at the ends of the lobes and turn a burgundy color in the fall. Its mature bark is heavily striped with ridges. This tree will serve your home and wildlife for generations! Sun Valley Red Maple - Acer rubrum 'Sun Valley' (Photo: Arborday.org) Sun Valley Red Maple - Acer rubrum 'Sun Valley' zones 4-8 This tree is a cultivar of the native red maple prized for its bright orangey-red fall color. Introduced by the U.S. National Arboretum, it was bred to be a male selection to eliminate fruit production (no helicopter seed here!). It is tolerant of a wide range of soils, but prefers moist, slightly acidic conditions. Sun Valley Maples grows fast, similar to the N. Red Oak, it reaches 21' in the first 10 years of growth and you can expect a mature height of 45-50' with a 35-40' spread. Late winter blooms dot the twigs with red as do the newly emerging leaves. Plant as a specimen tree for your lawn, but do note that the shallow root system can buckle sidewalks or driveways if planted too close. For sizes, prices, and current stock, see our Tree and Shrub Availability Page: https://www.paintersgreenhouse.com/tree-shrub-availability

One of our favorite native plants for shade! New This Week April 3, 2023 Plant of the Week: Dwarf Crested Iris One of our favorite native plants for shade! These gorgeous WNC natives are blooming right now in our woods! Typically only 4-6” in height, Dwarf Crested Iris spread to form a ground cover when in their native habitat of peaty woodland soils and part shade. The showy blooms appear March-May depending on your location, and attract and support hummingbirds and bees. A nice big patch on the Owen's driveway! In the garden they are happiest with our native, acidic soil, and appreciate some leaf mulch to increase organic matter and hold in moisture. Due to their short stature, we love using them in the borders of our shade gardens. Once established, they should require no additional care if soil and light preferences are followed. These lovely spring flowers are deer resistant and add a stunning pop of color to woodland settings. If you aren't fortunate enough to have them in your backyard (like the Owens), or if you simply want more, we have plenty of them available at Painters! Native Area: Eastern United States USDA Growing Zones: 3a–9a Height: 4–9 inches Sun Exposure: Partial shade; tolerates full sun

Why we love this vining and climbing houseplant New This Week October 5, 2022 Plant of the Week: Rhaphodapora tetrasperma Why we love this vining and climbing houseplant Often called Monstera Ginny, Monstera Minima, or Mini Monstera for its fenestrated leaves and resemblance to Monstera deliciosa, this houseplant is in an entirely different family and comes from a separate part of the world. What it does have in common with Monstera deliciosa is that it is low-maintenance, a great starter plant that can make a HUGE impact when it matures, and adapts well to life indoors as a houseplant. A Rhaphidophora testrasperma can make a big impact! This is a member of the Rhaphidophora family which also includes other common houseplants such as Rhaphidophora decursiva and Rhaphidohora Hayi. As their common name implies, this unique fenestrated plant is a great option if you are looking for a small vining plant to add to your collection. Indoors, the mini monstera normally tops out at about 6 to 8 feet tall, with leaves that are about 6 to 8 inches long. In its native environment, the mini monstera is a climbing plant, so it will thrive if provided with a support to climb indoors such as a moss pole or trellis. If you have any experience growing other aroids such as monsteras, alocasias, or philodendrons, you will have no problem keeping this mini climber happy. Scientific Name: Rhaphidophora tetrasperma Common Names: Mini Monstera, Monstera "Ginny", Monstera minima Family: Araceae Mature Size: 6-8 ft. tall (indoors), 15-20 ft. tall (outdoors) Light: Bright, indirect light Soil Type: Moist but well-draining Lighting: Rhaphidophora tetrasperma requires bright, indirect light. The more light it receives the better and faster it will grow. Avoid direct light on the leaves as they can burn. A spot near an eastern-facing window, or slightly set back from a western or southern-facing window is ideal. If new leaves are smaller or have fewer fenestrations (cut-outs), consider moving your plant to a location with more light. Water: Rhaphidophora tetrasperma, like most aroids, likes the top 1-2" of soil to dry out between waterings. Using the finger test- insert your finger into the top 1-2" of soil. Remove your finger and wave it around, do you feel the wind on it or does it feel cooler? Wait to water if it feels cooler/slightly damp. It can be sensitive to frequent over or underwatering. Humidity & temperature: This plant can tolerate standard household humidity (typically around 30-40%) and temperatures (above 68 degrees), though it will absolutely thrive with added humidity! Consider placing it near a humidifier, using a pebble tray, or grouping it with other plants (especially in winter). Soil: A standard aroid mix is great. For home use, we typically recommend a mix of two-part potting soil to one part perlite and one part orchid bark. The additions of perlite and orchid bark keep the soil chunky, well-draining, and aerated. Fertilizer: Fertilize regularly throughout the growing season. Cut back fertilizing in the winter, but if your plant is still putting off new growth don't stop completely. For plants that go dormant in winter, we still recommend using a plant food like super thrive occasionally. Training: This plant is born to climb! It does best if you provide it with a trellis, moss pole, or wall to climb up! Leaving them to hang can cause them to become leggy and their new leaves to be smaller. Common Problems: This plant is not particularly prone to pests but can still be affected by the likes of spider mites, mealy bugs, and more. Preventative treatments like wiping down the leaves with neem oil occasionally and proper watering can go a long way in preventing pests.