Medicinal Herbs at Painters this Spring New This Week March 27, 2026 Grow Your Own Apothecary Medicinal Herbs at Painters this Spring Whether you’re looking to soothe a restless mind or ease for a seasonal sniffle, the world of medicinal herbs offers a bridge between ancient wisdom and modern wellness. Long before we had pharmacies on every corner, the "apothecary" was often found right in our backyards and forests. Exploring herbalism isn't just about brewing a better cup of tea; it’s about reconnecting with the earth’s original medicine cabinet. However, while "natural" is often synonymous with "gentle," these medicinal plants can be potent—understanding their chemistry is just as important as appreciating their history. When using any herbal remedy, it is important to make informed decisions. Consult your trusted healthcare provider to help review and individualize your use to be sure it is safe and supports your health needs. Beyond their healing properties, many of these plants are a masterclass in natural design, offering a visual feast of textures and colors that can transform a garden into a living sanctuary. When we cultivate medicinal herbs like echinacea, blue skullcap, or borage, we aren't just stocking our cabinets—we are providing a vital lifeline for pollinators, inviting bees and butterflies to share in the harvest. Find these new varieties at Painters this season! Mountain Arnica Arnica montana Native to the mountains of Central Europe, Mountain Arnica’s bright yellow flowers have been used in traditional medicine for centuries, particularly for healing salves. Do use caution when handling though, as raw sap can cause skin irritation. Perennial herb (z4-9) Full sun-part shade 1-2' tall, 1-3' wide Needs well-drained soil to thrive Unsafe to consume (toxic if ingested) Narrow-Leaf Coneflower* Echinacea angustifolia Native to the prairies and plains of central North America, this echinacea species has been long cherished by indigenous peoples for its immense medicinal value. (But the birds won’t pass on this secret. They would rather keep it for themselves!) Perennial (z3-8) Full sun 1-2' tall and wide Highly adaptable, tolerant of heat, humidity, drought, and poor soils Showy, light pink summer flowers; fantastic for pollinators and birds *We anticipate this plant to be available for sale early May. Check back on our website or watch for updates in our Rooted and Ready feature in the newsletter! Blue Skullcap Scutellaria lateriflora This woodland beauty has long been prized in folk medicine for its calming properties. NATIVE perennial herb (z3-9) Full sun-part shade 2-3' tall, 1-2' wide Small, pale blue blooms summer to fall Comfrey Symphytum officinale Also known as knitbone. Common comfrey has been cultivated since the 12th century for dying and medicinal properties. And it’s true medicine is also for the soil! Comfrey’s nutrient-rich foliage makes excellent fodder for compost or liquid fertilizer for crops. A real earth-enriching superstar. Perennial herb (z4-8) Full sun-part shade 1-3' tall and wide Purple bell flowers spring to summer, loved by bees Deer resistant Easy to grow; can spread aggressively (best kept contained) Calendula 'Resina' Calendula officinalis 'Resina' ‘Resina’ Calendula is a highly medicinal strain of Calendula officinalis prized for its superior resin content , making it ideal for making healing salves, tinctures, and teas. It is known for its sticky, golden-yellow daisy-like flowers, which have been long treasured for their medicinal properties, as well as their uses in fabric dyeing and cosmetics. Annual herb Full sun 1-2' tall and wide Can also be used culinarily in lieu of saffron Undemanding and easy to grow; aka pot marigold

Second Crops and New Batches of Special Items New This Week May 17, 2024 We are Growers! Second Crops and New Batches of Special Items "Grown Locally to Thrive Locally." These are not just pretty words. We are growers! We have several talented team members engaged in plant propagation (varied techniques of cutting and sticking as well as sowing), a hardworking production team that plants year-long, and highly skilled growers and waterers who care for over a thousand types of plants spread over multiple greenhouses and outdoor growing areas (only a small area is watered by automatic sprinklers, all else is hand watered and managed). At Painters, you might see signs like this: because we use our retail space to grow as well as sell! (In addition to growing in other greenhouses past customer shopping areas). This means that plants are sometimes organized in ways that may not make immediate sense to the shopper as we have to prioritize ideal growing conditions over merchandising, but that’s why we have maps, signage, and helpful retail floor staff! And while the crowds during big weekends like Herb Fest and Mother’s Day may make it feel like all the best plants must be gone, we grow successive plantings of many of our most popular crops, and continue to stock them to the retail floor as they mature. As of this week, we have new batches of many favorites, including some lovely native and pollinator plant options. We are always growing!! Come check it all out! New! Southern Bush Honeysuckle Japanese Kerria All tree dogwoods, including Pagoda Dogwood Dianthus 'Bath's Pink' Abelia 'Kaleidoscope'* Caladiums (finally fully leafed out, lovely range of colors) Restock! Smooth Hydrangeas: 'Invincebelle Wee White' and 'Invincebelle Ruby'* White Fringetree* Deciduous Azalea 'Gibraltar'* Cardinal Flower Great Blue Lobelia Green and Gold (limited stock, and this one goes fast!) Catmint Bee Balm: blue, purple or deep pink Sweet Basil (6" available now, and another batch of assorted 4" basil coming soon) English Lavender Red or Lilac Sweet Talk Cuphea -- Bat-Faced Cultivars Sun Coleus: assorted colors Spigelia!!! (one more batch of Fire Pinks available for those who couldn't get them this last week) Elderberry Kimberley Queen hanging baskets Boston Fern hanging baskets *While we do propagate some shrubs at the greenhouse, we source the larger, slower-growing shrubs and trees from local wholesale nurseries and native plant growers within a day's drive. We do our best to purchase from WNC growers to ensure the plants have been raised in a similar climate and plant health isn't affected by long-distance shipping. And we have some beautiful, native shrubs arriving from our friends at Carolina Native Nursery next week! Always Growing at Painters!

Tree and Shrub of the Week, Sept 10th-14th New This Week September 4, 2025 ‘Brilliantissima’ Red Chokeberry and ‘Well’s Special’ Hinoki Cypress Tree and Shrub of the Week, Sept 10th-14th Shrub of the Week: ‘Brilliantissima’ Red Chokeberry Aronia arbutifolia NATIVAR deciduous shrub (z4-9) full-part sun, 6-10' tall, 3-5' wide Brilliant red foliage in fall, white blooms and glossy red berries; excellent wildlife value especially for birds species (including cedar waxwing!). Adaptable and compact, tolerant of a wide range of conditions – preferring more moist sites with part shade, but tolerant of full sun and drier conditions. A great option for a wildlife friendly hedge or screen. A good native alternative to burning bush or nandina Tree of the Week: ‘Well’s Special’ Hinoki Cypress Chamaecyparis obtusa Evergreen shrub (z4-8), full sun-part shade, 10-15' tall, 4-6' wide Soft, twisting sprays of bright green new growth contrast beautifully with mature deep green foliage; elegant yet loose pyramidal habit Moderate growth rate (average of 1' per year). A diversity of options: good for containers, small spaces, in a hedge for screening, or as a specimen in a special spot in the landscape. Easy to grow; thrives in moist, well-drained soil; drought tolerant once established For sizes, prices, and current stock, see our Tree and Shrub Availability Page: https://www.paintersgreenhouse.com/tree-shrub-availability

Featuring Two Favorite Native Fruits! New This Week September 16, 2024 Viking Black Chokeberry & Heritage Raspberry Featuring Two Favorite Native Fruits! 'Viking' Black Chokeberry Aronia melanocarpa It's no secret chokeberry is a staff favorite here at Painters--we carry five different kinds! It's native, ornamental, edible, and birds and pollinators love it! Since this week's special is on edibles we'd like to highlight a native edible shrub that was specifically developed for the orchard. In the early 20th century, our native chokeberry was introduced to eastern Europe, Scandinavia, and Russia for berry production. Russia bred the 'Viking' variety by selecting for the largest berries on black chokeberry and that variety is still in cultivation there on thousands of acres for berry production. 'Viking' was re-introduced to the US a couple decades ago and has become a crop also grown on orchards seeking a harvest of Aronia berries. Black chokeberry is an upright, multi-stemmed shrub that thrives in a variety of soil conditions, including boggy. Even though the shrub is deciduous, it can still be used as an effective privacy hedge due to the dense, suckering habit. Other applications include rain gardens, orchards, pollinator gardens, bird friendly habitats, etc. The deep purple fruit ripens in fall and is packed with nutrients and antioxidants. As the common name suggests, the fruit is astringent and a little too tart to eat fresh, but it is perfect for jams, pies, and juices. This shrub is self-fertile and does not need to be planted with another of its kind to produce fruit and should produce berries for you within 3 years of age. To top it all off, the fall color is a fiery mix of scarlet and deep orange! NAME: Aronia is in the Rose family (as many of our tree fruits are). Melano- means "black" and - carpa means "fruit" NATIVE RANGE: eastern North America from Newfoundland south to Alabama FUN FACTS: Aronia berries are rich in fiber, vitamin C, and powerful antioxidants that may have heart-healthy, immune-boosting, and anticancer properties. GROWING CONDITIONS SUNLIGHT: Full sun is best, especially for maximum flower and ultimately fruit production SOIL: Average soil to moist/wet SIZE: 4-6 feet tall and wide ZONES: 3-9 'Heritage' Raspberry Rubus idaeus var. strigosus ‘Heritage’ Raspberry is one of the most popular varieties grown worldwide. This ever-bearing raspberry produces one crop in summer and another heavier crop in fall of extra-sweet, juicy berries. Only one plant is needed, as the flowers are self-fruitful. This variety reliably produces fruit and will reward you within the first year of planting. Timely pruning is necessary to keep the plant healthy and the form open enough to allow sun and airflow on developing fruit. With proper maintenance it should live 8-10 years. ‘Heritage’ is self-supporting and does not need a trellis, the canes are upright and strong enough to support themselves. Note: do not plant red, gold or purple raspberries within 75-100 feet of black raspberries. Black raspberries are more susceptible to a viral disease carried by aphids to and from nearby raspberry plants. NAME: The latin words R ubus idaeus means “bramble bush of Mount Ida” an important landmark in ancient Greek mythology and the highest mountain on the island of Crete where raspberries grew in abundance. NATIVE RANGE: Grows throughout most of the temperate regions of the world including most of North America from Alaska through Canada and south to North Carolina and Arizona. FUN FACTS: Raspberry roots are perennials but the leaf and fruit-bearing canes are biennial and only live two growing seasons before dying. ‘Heritage’ is considered a fall-bearing or ever-bearing variety and can produce fruit two times a year, once in summer on second-year canes and again in fall on the tips of that year’s primo-canes. To understand more on pruning and harvest times of ‘Heritage’ raspberries: https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/faq/what-proper-way-prune-fall-bearing-red-raspberries-late-winterearly-spring GROWING CONDITIONS SUNLIGHT: Full sun SOIL: Needs well-drained soil SIZE: 4-5’ tall and 2-3’ wide ZONES: 4-8

HOUSEPLANTS & SUCCULENTS Bring nature indoors! We have houseplants for every budget and need including low-light plants, pet friendly plants, and sought after collectibles. We're proud to offer healthy, unique houseplant and succulent options at competitive prices. Following houseplant trends, our inventory is constantly changing. We recommend signing up for our newsletter and following us on social media for the latest updates. SEE AVAILABILITY LISTS Houseplants & Succulents: Services A Few Favorite Easy Care Houseplants Blue Star Fern Pothos "Pearls & Jade Pothos 'Marble Queen' String of Turtles Sweetheart Philodendron Cast Iron Plant Monstera Philodendron 'Micans' Neanthe Bella Palm Dragon Tail Plant Schefflera Snake Plant Spider Plants Airplants A Few Favorite Low Light Houseplants ZZ Plant String of Turtles Cast Iron Plant Philodendron 'Micans' Dragon Tail Plant Snake Plant Spider Plants A Few Favorite Houseplants for Bright Light String of Hearts Mini Monstera Sun-Changing Begonia Pothos "Pearls & Jade Dischidia Hoya 'Krimson Queen' Pothos 'Marble Queen' Philodendron 'Brasil' Alocasia Begonias Bromeliad Calathea Fiddle Leaf Fig Hoya macrophylia Watermelon Peperomia Scindapsus A Few Favorite Pet Safe Houseplants Cupid Peperomia String of Hearts Button Fern Blue Star Fern Staghorn Fern Lipstick Plant Hoya 'Krimson Queen' String of Turtles Calathea Cast Iron Plant Bird's Nest Ferns Hoya macrophylia Spider Plants Airplants Succulents A Few Favorite Succulents African Milk Plant Aloe Assorted Crassula Assorted Echeveria Donkey's Tail Jade Mangave Night Blooming Cereus Orchid Cactus Rattail Cactus Rhipsalis Ruby Necklace String of Hearts String of Pearls Related Blog Posts The North-Facing Survival Guide: Our Favorite Houseplants for Low-Light Spaces Feb 25 10 min read HOUSEPLANT SPOTLIGHT: Philodendron Cordatum Nov 21, 2023 2 min read Leave Me Alone! The Easiest Houseplants for Passive Plant Parents Oct 3, 2023 3 min read 1 2 3 4

Plus care and display tips! New This Week September 14, 2022 We Can't Get Enough of These Air Plants Plus care and display tips! Air plants are a stunning and unique addition to any house plant collection. They don't need to be potted in soil and we love displaying in macrame air plant hangers from Line by Line Macrame . We've got a beautiful selection including some massive statement plants! First-time air plant parent? Check out some care tips below - they're super easy once you know how to keep them happy! AIR PLANT CARE WATER Completely submerge your air plants in water for 20 minutes every 1-2 weeks (every week in winter when our homes tend to be drier). After soaking, shake off excess water and set them upside down to dry before returning to their display. This method is much easier and typically more effective than regularly misting them. LIGHT Air plants prefer bright, indirect light - either via sunlight of grow lights/bright indoor lighting. Avoid direct sun as they can sunburn. DISPLAY IDEAS Air plants make great additions to open air terrariums, bowls/planters and display cages. You can also tuck them into driftwood, hang them with fishing line, or find air plant hangers! Avoid planting them in soil and ensure that they have some air flow. Such a fun plant to get creative with, and they make great gifts!

We've been waiting months to try this tropical fruit rumored to be so delicious it gave the plant its name! New This Week August 12, 2022 Monstera Deliciosa Fruit We've been waiting months to try this tropical fruit rumored to be so delicious it gave the plant its name! Last July we noticed flowers blooming on many of our Monstera deliciosa specimen plants that live in our greenhouse. With the help of some hand pollination (just in case!), the flowers produced fruit and all of us at Painters have been patiently watching it ripen on the plant for the last 13 months. In the wild, Monsteras regularly flower and fruit. Ripe Monstera deliciosa fruit The fruit typically takes 6-12 months to ripen and is said to be so delicious it inspired the plant's name. This week the big day finally arrived and we got our first taste! See what we thought below! https://video.wixstatic.com/video/a514f4_1c5a87fc97ca40f2b2fed674800e1068/1080p/mp4/file.mp4 It really was DELICIOUS!

Gorgeous Fall Color Staples! New This Week September 3, 2024 Plant Spotlight and Sale: Sweetgum and Witch Hazel Gorgeous Fall Color Staples! Sweetgum - Liquidambar styraciflua Sweetgum gets a bad rap as homeowners tend to dislike the spiny gumball fruit this tree drops into the landscape. The “messiness” is far outweighed by the support and resources sweet gums provide for wildlife. In spring, sweetgum provides a source of nectar to ruby-throated hummingbirds and other nectar feeders. The sweetgum’s star-shaped leaves are host to more than 30 species of butterflies and moths, including two of the most impressive moths, luna and promethea! As for the odd fruit, each one can produce 30-50 seeds, which feed squirrels, chipmunks, red-winged blackbirds, chickadees, dark-eyed juncos, wrens, sparrows, northern cardinals, purple finches, goldfinches, eastern towhees, yellow-bellied sapsuckers, wood ducks, wild turkeys, mallards, mourning doves, and quail. If we look at the tree in a more human centered view it is still a great tree to plant. With its adaptability to just about any soil type and its large mature size it is a great option for a hardy shade tree. And the kicker? Fall color. Sweetgum is one of the only trees that will display yellows, reds, oranges, and purples all at the same time on one tree. NAME: Liquidambar “fluid amber” and styraciflua “flowing with resin” – both Latin names reference the tree’s fragrant sap when the bark is peeled away. This resin was used to make soaps, adhesives, medicine, and chewed as gum. NATIVE RANGE: Native to eastern and south-central United States, as well as Mexico and Central America. FUN FACTS: Check out this link for more information on the medicinal and beneficial compounds of the resinous sap: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4441155/ GROWING CONDITIONS: SOIL: Naturally grows in bottomland areas with rich, moist soil, but can tolerate a variety of soil conditions where roots have ample room to grow. SUNLIGHT: Full Sun to partial shade HEIGHT/WIDTH: Pyramidal shape when young, but matures to a rounded crown reaching 60-75' tall and a spread of 40-50' ZONES: 5-9 American Witch hazel - Hamamelis virginiana Witch hazel is a large, multi-trunked native shrub (or small tree) with an irregularly shaped open crown and zig-zag stems. One of the most unique features of witch hazel are the yellow-orange blooms present in October through December. The fragrant blooms have long, narrow petals with a crinkled paper appearance. The late bloom time provides an important source of nectar and pollen to its pollinators: flies, bees, wasps, and beetles, with the most peculiar pollinator being the owlet moth. Owlet moths are winter-flying and can fly in freezing temperatures because of their ability to thermoregulate – they are attracted to the strong fragrance and strap-like petals. As the hard capsule fruit matures, seeds are launched up to 30 feet away for dispersal! Seeds are food to wild turkeys, ruffed grouse, songbirds, cardinals, chickadees, titmice, crows, and many others. Witch hazel is not resistant to deer browsing, but it is seldom eaten – depending on your deer population and their browsing habits. Witch hazel is a host plant to 69 species of Lepidoptera larvae, including large lace-border, definite tussock, and funerary dagger moths. Along with stunning autumn blooms, witch hazel also puts on a bright display of fall foliage with yellow to yellow-orange display. If you’re looking for a fall specimen for your garden, you have found the one! NAME: Hama- Greek for “at the same time” and - melon means “fruit”, which is a reference to the rare feature of both the flowers and fruit appearing at the same time on the plant. Virginiana means the plant is from Virginia. NATIVE RANGE: Native to eastern North America from Nova Scotia down to Florida and as far west as eastern Texas. FUN FACTS: Witch hazel’s common name came from the Middle English word “wicke” meaning to bend. Witch hazel was used by early settlers to source water by using forked branches of the shrub as dowsing rods – a bend in the branch would indicate underground water. Witch hazel has many medicinal properties, including anti-inflammatory, astringent and as an antiseptic. GROWING CONDITIONS: SOIL: A fairly tolerant plant - grows well in acidic, loamy, moist, rich, sandy, silty loam and well-drained soils - handles a variety of moisture conditions SUNLIGHT: Full sun to partial shade - prefers a minimum of 4 hours of direct sunlight HEIGHT/WIDTH: 15-30’ tall and 15-25’ wide ZONES: 3-8

An Accomplished and Aromatic Plant of the Week! New This Week March 18, 2025 Bay Laurel An Accomplished and Aromatic Plant of the Week! Bay Laurel Laurus nobilis Also known as Sweet Bay, this slow-growing, long-lived Mediterranean native is our Painters Plant of the Week! Sweet bay is a medium-sized tree or multi-trunked shrub, whose aromatic leaves are used commonly as a culinary herb (bay leaf). From early Greek and Roman times until now, bay laurels have been sought for their cultural significance and symbolism. It was believed to offer protection from natural disasters–especially lightning!–so laurel trees were planted near doorways and sprigs of laurel were hung to prevent fire. Additionally, bay laurels were used in the laurel wreaths worn by ancient poets, athletes, soldiers, and Roman Emperors to symbolize victory or accomplishment. We still see evidence of it in our architecture and language: poet laureate and Nobel laureate and the phrase “resting on your laurels.” It’s the ultimate flex: sweet bay is not just accomplished, but symbolically accomplished. (It's like regular accomplished, but with more jazz hands). You can see why we love it! Bay leaves for culinary use And while symbolism, showy head-gear, and fireproofing is important, bay laurel is most often sought after for its sweetly aromatic leaves: bay leaves provide a flavor positively indispensable for cooking. Leaves may be harvested year round, but larger, older leaves are said to provide the strongest and best flavor. The leaves add flavor to soups, sauces, stews, meats, pickles, and more. The flavor is stronger fresh than when used dry. Dried bay leaves can also be used in potpourri, for wreaths and other craft projects, or to repel pests such as silverfish or pantry insects. Because it is quite slow growing, as well as being amenable to pruning and shaping, Bay Laurels are excellent candidates for container gardening. Topiaries even! And in our region here in WNC, unless you have a very specific micro-climate, they will need to be overwintered indoors so potting it up is preferred. During the cold winter months, bay laurels can be grown in bright light indoors as a houseplant or allowed to go dormant in a cool, dark place (about 30-60 degrees) with occasional watering. (Do note that it is toxic to pets so be mindful of its location.) Type: Tender evergreen shrub USDA Growing Zones: 8-10 Sun Exposure: Full sun-part shade Size: Slow-growing but in native landscape can reach 20-40’ Soil Needs: Tolerates a variety of soil types and can be grown in containers Care: Frost-sensitive so wait until the threat of frost has passed before putting it out 1 gallon pots at Painters this spring A general word of caution: because Painters is currently stocking other plants with laurel in the name, such as mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) and cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus), do note that these are not in the same family as bay laurel and are poisonous. Don’t put these ones in your stew!

'Kobold' Blazing Star New This Week June 1, 2026 The Purple Spike Pollinators Can’t Resist 'Kobold' Blazing Star Bring on the bees, butterflies, and birds! This compact native cultivar packs a massive ecological punch into a tidy, 2-to-3-foot frame. It is an absolute magnet for butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, and other pollinators. Blazing Star 'Kobold' lights up the summer garden with dense, fluffy purple spikes on top of gorgeous grass-like foliage. Unlike most spiked flowers that bloom from the bottom up, Liatris blooms from the top down--a fun botanical quirk that keeps it looking unique as it opens. (Pro-tip: when using as a cut flower, you can snip from the top to refresh your blooms.) While many wild varieties can get tall and floppy, the 'Kobold' selection features a dense, compact habit with sturdy stems that mean absolutely no staking required. It's easy care and extremely drought-tolerant once established. Note: while it is tolerant of a variety of soil types, excessive winter wetness can make the corms rot -- for this reason, it's helpful to plant in amended/well drained soils rather than straight clay where water can sit. It is excellent as a fresh or dried cut flower. And don't forget to leave the spent heads in fall to provide a vital winter seed buffet for goldfinches and local songbirds. Liatris spicata 'Kobold' NATIVAR perennial (z3-8) Full sun 2-3' tall, 1' wide Fantastic for pollinators Prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soil, but is quite drought tolerant once established Aka gayfeather

Tree of the Week, Sept 24-28 New This Week September 22, 2025 Susan & Betty Magnolias Tree of the Week, Sept 24-28 (Small) Trees of the Week: ‘Betty’ and ‘Susan’ Magnolias Magnolia liliiflora ‘Nigra’ x Magnolia stellata ‘Rosea’ Large pink flowers of Magnolia Susan Both Betty and Susan are part of the “Girl” series of magnolias bred at the U.S. National Arboretum in the mid 1950s. Crossing lily magnolia ( Magnolia liliiflora ‘Nigra’) with star magnolia ( Magnolia stellata ‘Rosea’) created sterile F1 hybrids with improved features when compared to the straight species. Blooms occur two to four weeks later than star and saucer magnolias which reduces the likelihood of late spring frost damage. Betty’s blooms are up to 8” in diameter with 12-18 tepals per flower. Outer tepals are greyed-purple at base shading to a red-purple at tips, white on the inside. (photo at top of page) Susan Magnolia bloom Susan’s blooms are 4-6” in diameter with only 6 twisted tepals with a light fragrance. Tepals are a deep red-purple both inside and out: All magnolias in the series experience sporadic summer blooms which add landscape interest with surprise blooms. These magnolias are deciduous and foliage turns yellow in fall. Use Betty or Susan as a specimen in your landscape to highlight their floral displays. Silvery gray bark and multi-stemmed habit can also provide winter architectural interest in the garden. NAME: Named after Pierre Magnol, a French botanist from the 17 th century. Magnol is credited with the categorizing related groups of plants into “families” NATIVE RANGE: Hybrids crossed in Washington, DC. Parentage species lily magnolia and star magnolia originally from SE China and Japan, respectively. FUN FACT: In the United States, the Magnolia tree symbolizes luck and stability. All of the “girls” in the series are named after the daughters of breeders William Kosar and Dr. Francis de Vos, Arboretum director Henry Skinner, and the wife of Secretary of Agriculture Orville Freeman. Magnolia Betty flowers GROWING CONDITIONS: SOIL: Prefer loam soil with adequate moisture, and tolerate both poorly drained, heavy clay soils and dry areas. SUNLIGHT Full sun to light shade HEIGHT/WIDTH: Betty: rounded, multi-stemmed 15’ tall and 17-21’ wide Susan: fairly upright, multi-stemmed 12-15’ tall and 15’ wide ZONES: 3b-8 For sizes, prices, and current stock, see our Tree and Shrub Availability Page: https://www.paintersgreenhouse.com/tree-shrub-availability

As growers who are conservation-minded, we are always looking at what we grow (and plant at home), in order to provide diverse food and habitat sources for pollinators, birds and other wildlife. New This Week October 20, 2022 More than Milkweed As growers who are conservation-minded, we are always looking at what we grow (and plant at home), in order to provide diverse food and habitat sources for pollinators, birds and other wildlife. As growers who are conservation-minded, we are always looking at what we grow (and plant at home), in order to provide diverse food and habitat sources for pollinators, birds and other wildlife. We recently came across an excellent article written by Benjamin Vogt (a must read!), which we strongly agree with. In short, his message is that while monarch conservation and milkweed planting is great (and it typically does have a trickle down effect of encouraging planting for other pollinators), it can be harmful if folks are encouraged to plant milkweed and nothing else. It's very important to remember that monarchs are far from the only butterflies or pollinators at risk, and even if you only wanted to support monarchs, the adults feed on nectar from a range of flower species. You don’t want to feed adults but then have no food for the larval stage when their eggs hatch, and likewise you want to be sure you don’t bring home milkweed and caterpillars and then not have nectar for the adults once they metamorphose. In order to fully and effectively support monarchs and other at-risk species, we need to plant both host plant and nectar plant sources, and overall ensure we are creating a balanced, healthy habitat. Added bonus: planting a wider range of native and nectar-producing plants leads to a much more colorful and diverse garden landscape and more varied and beautiful garden visitors!

All Your Most-Asked Questions about How Things Work Around Here! New This Week February 24, 2025 Be In the Know Before You Grow! All Your Most-Asked Questions about How Things Work Around Here! When will XYZ be available? Trees and Shrub s: the Availability List is updated to reflect the quantities and pricing at the start of the business day. This is not updated in live-time–contact us directly if you need to check on the quantity before paying us a visit. Houseplants and Succulents : the Availability List is updated each day to reflect current stock. Contact us directly if you need to check on quantities before paying us a visit. General Perennials and Annuals : we provide a general growing list of what we intend to have for sale at some point during our spring season. While this may seem vague, we offer crops for retail purchase based on when they are ready and sometimes that timeline is out of our hands (germination, weather, crop failure, etc.). For 2026, we have added a Predicted Availability column with our best estimate for each crop's earliest availability. Hopefully this can help you plan your garden and your visit. And remember: if you'd like a list of what is being rolled out each week, subscribe to our weekly email newsletter. We will feature all the new plants that are Rooted and Ready!! When should I come for the largest selection? A quick rule of thumb is that during Painters' Spring Season, the best selection of available houseplants, shrubs, and trees is during the month of March. The widest selection of annuals and perennials is often late April to early May. What varieties of tomatoes will you have this season? And when can I expect them? We plant our tomatoes in three successions to keep new healthy batches rolling through our retail floor. We plant seedlings into 4 inch pots and it takes roughly three weeks for the root systems to be strong enough for transplanting into your garden. We anticipate the first round of tomatoes to be ready starting April 8th, second round May 6th, and a smaller third round available May 27th. Below is a chart depicting what varieties of tomato we will grow in 2026 and when to anticipate their availability. Check our Edibles Page for all the nightshade plants . 8-April 6-May 27-May Tomatillo Toma Verde x x Tomato Amish Paste x x Tomato Better Boy Plus x x x Tomato Better Bush Imp x x Tomato Boxcar Willie x x Tomato Brandywine Red x x x Tomato Brandywine Yellow x x Tomato Celebrity Plus x x Tomato Cherokee Purple x x x Tomato Dancing with Smurfs x x Tomato Early Girl Plus x x Tomato German Johnson Pink x x Tomato Jubilee x x Tomato Juliet x x Tomato Mortgage Lifter x x Tomato Mountain Fresh Plus x x Tomato Pineapple x x Tomato Roma Plum x x Tomato Rutgers x x Tomato Sungold x x x Tomato Sweet Million x x x Tomato Yellow Pear x x When is a safe time to plant? The best time to plant trees, shrubs, and perennials is in the fall and spring to allow roots to become established before the hot weather of summer comes along. These types of plants can be installed in summer, but watering demands and chances of heat-stress will be higher. Annuals should be planted in your landscape after the threat of frost has passed. This can vary by region--check out your county’s average last spring frost date on this interactive map from the NC Cooperative Extension’s website: https://products.climate.ncsu.edu/freeze/map.php This last frost date can vary ± 10 days! A good rule of thumb is don’t plant annuals outside until after Mother’s Day if you’re not willing to cover/protect them from potential frosts. If you’d like to learn more about acclimating any greenhouse-grown plants before planting, check out our blog post: www.paintersgreenhouse.com How to Harden Off Greenhouse-Grown Plants What does it mean to harden off a plant and how to help your new plants adapt and thrive once you have purchased them from a garden center. When’s your big sale? All of our specials are listed in our weekly newsletter and on our website before we open each week on Wednesday. Our sales are based on our current availability and are not planned weeks or months in advance. We always anticipate the need to move annual plants out the door before we close (June 28th this year) and you can expect the lowest prices on remaining annuals the last couple weeks of our spring season. Keep up with us online and we’ll lay out our current specials and sales we’ll be offering and be sure to sign up for our email newsletter on our homepage: https://www.paintersgreenhouse.com When are your big events? Over the years, we’ve been honored to host some truly unforgettable celebrations—from the long-standing traditions of Herb Fest and Little Crafty to the magic of Moth Night and our Midsummer Night Market. To keep growing alongside our amazing community and staff, we’re shaking things up this year. You might notice some changes to our usual lineup, but we’re already busy dreaming up new opportunities for us to get together. Stay tuned for what’s next! (And no worries! We may not host Herb Fest, but we will have loads of herbs!! We might not do a Moth Night, but we always have tons of host plants. Our offerings and great prices will still be as expansive as ever!) Do you have flat discounts? All 3 1/2" pots of annuals and veggies are discounted when purchased by the flat. Sold individually or by the flat of 18. Mix and match and get a jump on your planting! Can you design and install my landscape beds, window planter, combination pot, etc.? We are in the business of growing and selling healthy plants and unfortunately do not offer an in-house landscaping or design service. We understand the interest in professional support, but we do not have a list of vetted professionals who are available this spring. Ask your friends, neighbors, or anyone with a gorgeous garden and see if they have any recommendations for you. Additionally, as we find reputable landscapers, we try to keep their business cards at checkout. Do you all deliver? Can I pre-order my plants? Do you all hold plants? We do not deliver, but we are not afraid to get creative by fitting that birdbath or tree in your compact car!😁 To keep things fair, we run on a first-come-first-serve basis and do not accept pre-orders. We do not have the designated space to hold plants for pick-up. Feel free to give us a call to see if something specific is in stock, if we are running low we may be able to place it at checkout for you to purchase day of calling. What do the different colors on your plant signs mean? We help our customers distinguish between non-native, native, and nativars by the colorful borders on our plant signs that mark each crop of plants. Green is non-native (we do not sell invasives), red is native, and burgundy is nativar. To better understand native vs nativar check out this blog post: www.paintersgreenhouse.com A Guide to Native Plants: Straight Species vs. Nativars Explore the benefits of straight species vs. nativars in our guide. Learn how nativar choices impact biodiversity and pollinator attraction. If you have any further questions, check out our FAQ page on our website or Contact Us here !

For Art Lovers AND Indoor Plant Lovers New This Week March 23, 2026 Calathea and Maranta: a Profusion of Pattern! For Art Lovers AND Indoor Plant Lovers Absolute living art galleries, these beyond gorgeous houseplants will not disappoint! We love these for several reasons. First, they’re pet safe--which can be a challenge with many houseplants--so you can rest easy with a furry friend in the house. Second (and so obvious!) we love them because they are just stunning! And there are SO many varieties to choose from! With a wide selection of colors, patterns, leaf shapes, growth habits, and sizes, you can find just the right one for your aesthetic. Both calatheas (also known as goeperttia) and marantas love humidity and consistently moist soil. A perfect fit for the plant parent who likes to show up! Maranta (a.k.a. prayer plant) secret: to keep from getting brown tips, use distilled water rather than tap water. Or if you are not a plant perfectionist, they are absolutely gorgeous however they are! Prices, sizes, and current stock are on our Houseplant Availability Page. www.paintersgreenhouse.com Houseplant & Succulent Availability List | Painters Greenhouse 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. This calathea is so gorgeous, she goes by the name 'Beauty Star!'

A customer from Black Mountain recently returned from vacation and was worried to find the leaves on his blueberry bushes changing color in early August. What was going on? New This Week August 25, 2022 Is There Something Wrong with My Blueberry Bushes? A customer from Black Mountain recently returned from vacation and was worried to find the leaves on his blueberry bushes changing color in early August. What was going on? A customer from Black Mountain recently returned from vacation and was worried to find the leaves on his blueberry bushes changing color in early August. As a first-time blueberry grower he was concerned and reached out for advice. Luckily, we were able to inform him that his blueberries were showing very early fall color - this has been an odd summer with extreme moisture and temperature fluctuations and many shrubs and trees are turning sooner than usual. Do make sure to note if your blueberry leaves are turning reddish-orange or more of a yellow shade. While the oranger shades are typically indicative of the beginnings of fall color and natural leaf loss, yellow coloration can mean chlorosis - that the plants aren’t getting enough iron. This is a common issue during particularly wet summers (ahem! 2022!), and can easily be tested with a pH kit - if your soils show a high pH, then we suggest adding some iron sulfate or pine needle straw or feeding with an acidic fertilizer. This isn’t as common an issue in our area as our clay-rich soils tend to be quite acidic (which blueberries like) and typically contain plenty of iron, but if you're not sure if your blueberries are entirely healthy, then it never hurts to test your soil! Have your blueberry bushes started turning? What else is starting to show color in your yard? Tag us in your pictures on facebook or instagram so we can see! We have lots of blueberries along with many other edible tree and shrub varieties ready for planting when our Fall Season opens September 9th! View our Fall Tree & Shrub Availability List .