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Camera Roll Tour, 4/1 - 4/7 New This Week April 5, 2026 Shady Business: Spring Blooms for Shade Camera Roll Tour, 4/1 - 4/7 This is just a glimpse of all we have available! Some other ephemerals are not fully rooted, but most pictured here are ready to be transplanted. We also have a limited number of beautiful spring blooming shrubs for part shade, including fothergilla, doghobble, azaleas and more. Click images to enlarge and hover/enlarge for I.D. Current Availability Click for Plant Lists

Lady Ferns, Japanese Painted Ferns, and Ghost Painted Ferns New This Week May 12, 2025 Plant Spotlight: Athyrium Lady Ferns, Japanese Painted Ferns, and Ghost Painted Ferns Athyrium are commonly referred to as “lady ferns” because of their delicate lacy-cut fronds. Very lady-like! But Athyrium isn't dainty. Much larger than just one fern, it is a genus of about 180 different species including Japanese Painted Fern Athyrium niponicum, Ghost Fern Athyrium 'Ghost,' Eared Lady Fern , and Southern Lady Fern Athyrium asplenioides . This group of deciduous terrestrial ferns are native to moist forests–both tropical and temperate–all across the planet from Asia, Europe, North Africa, Canada, and the United States. A very wide range! The name comes from the Greek athyros meaning "doorless" in reference to the slowly opening, hinged spore covers. Grown as houseplants, as garden border plants, along streambanks, or in meadow or woodland gardens, athyrium can easily find a home as a shady groundcover or herbaceous understory plants. Evolved to thrive in lush, humid, and shady conditions, they are perfect for the lower levels of woodland ecosystems. Give them part shade or full shade and rich, consistently moist soil and you will have suitably dense ground cover over time. Divide the clumps in spring every few years to propagate. Each season at Painters, we carry different species of a thyrium (and more varieties of Japanese Painted Fern). Read about these elegant plants to see if they are a good fit for your needs and your style! Photo Credit: Walters Gardens Ghost Painted Fern Athyrium x 'Ghost' Type: Perennial USDA Growing Zones: 4-8 Sun Exposure: Part-full shade Size: 18-24'' tall, 12-18'' wide Attractive, upright fronds have a unique grey-green tone Cross between lady fern and Japanese painted fern, combining the best traits of both parents Deciduous; can be easily divided in spring (every 3-4 years) Photo Credit: Walters Gardens Japanese Painted Fern 'Regal Red' Athyrium niponicum var. pictum 'Regal Red' Type: Perennial USDA Growing Zones: 4-9 Sun Exposure: Part-full shade Size: 1-2' tall and wide Striking red-burgundy fronds with silver edges, elegant and unique Deciduous, clump-forming; Low maintenance; deer and rabbit resistant Japanese Painted Fern 'Godzilla' Athyrium 'Godzilla' Type: Perennial USDA Growing Zones: 5-8 Sun Exposure: Part-full shade Size: 3' tall, 3-6' wide Silvery fronds with green highlights and dark purple stems, forms a massive, arching clump Low maintenance; deer and rabbit resistant Japanese Painted Fern 'Red Beauty' Athyrium niponicum var. pictum 'Red Beauty' Type: Perennial USDA Growing Zones: 4-9 Sun Exposure: Part-full shade Size: 1-2' tall and wide Lacy, silvery grey fronds contrast elegantly with burgundy stems and midveins; takes on greener tones as the weather warms Deciduous, clump-forming Low maintenance; deer and rabbit resistant Photo Credit: Walters Gardens Lady Fern 'Lady in Red' Athyrium filix-femina 'Lady in Red' Type: NATIVAR Perennial USDA Growing Zones: 4-8 Sun Exposure: Part-full shade Size: 1-3' tall and wide Tolerates drier soils than many other ferns Bright red stems contrast beautifully with lacy ornamental fronds Vigorous and easy to grow plus the fiddleheads are delicious! Can tolerate sun but only if soil is kept consistently moist Eared Lady Fern 'Limelight' Athyrium otophorum 'Limelight' Type: Perennial USDA Growing Zones: 5-9 Sun Exposure: Part-full shade Size: 1-2' tall and wide Exquisite fronds emerge chartreuse and mature to green, creating a two-toned effect May stay evergreen in mild winters; deer resistant Outstanding specimen for container combos or woodland gardens Current Availability Click for Plant Lists

Hard at work behind the scenes! New This Week November 18, 2025 "What do you DO after you close?" Hard at work behind the scenes! We close our doors, but the work is far from over! Just like you, we’ve been closing up the gardens, cleaning up the grounds, tending to the plants that need overwintering, and picking up those projects that had been on the sidelines while the growing season was in full motion. We've got planters planting, seeders seeding, growers growing, waterers watering (but not too much!), cleaners cleaning, planners planning... Slowly. Quietly. Deliberately. Joyfully. There's up-close plant care: inspecting, transplanting, trimming, and pruning... Here are next year's plants, growing in the hothouse or getting tucked into cold frames! Our seed collecting, sowing, and plant propagation program: And general capital improvements as well! Some tasks are more joyful than others. The computer cables that automate the vents are giving Dana a hard time. (It can't all be fun and games around here!) Current Availability Click for Plant Lists

Why We Love Spiraea alba New This Week April 21, 2026 Plant of the Week: Meadowsweet Why We Love Spiraea alba Meadowsweet is a native deciduous shrub growing to 3-4' tall and wide. While a relative to the invasive Japanese spiraea, it is a tame, native alternative! The shrub is made up of many unbranched erect stems ending in fuzzy white fragrant blooms in the summer. Flowers produce pollen and nectar which attract bees, butterflies, wasps, moths, adult long-horned beetles, and more - you'll see a plethora of pollinator visitors! Meadowsweet is also a larval host for the spring azure butterfly. Foliage turns a lovely yellow in fall. Meadowsweet is tolerant of wet soils and does well near ponds, streambanks, in low boggy areas of a yard, or in a cottage garden that gets regular watering. Works great for streambank restoration as well as in rain gardens! If Meadowsweet gets leggy, prune in late winter and it will send out a denser flush of growth that season. Family : Rose Family Native Range : Canada, Midwest, New England and down to North Carolina – we are the southernmost state where Meadowsweet naturally grows. Fun Fact : The flowers are borne on determinate inflorescences (cymose) and open from the top down in a basipetal order. Growing Conditions : Soil: Prefers moist or wet soil Sunlight: Performs best in full sun to part shade Height/Width: 3-4’ tall and wide Zones: 3-7 Photo courtesy Prairie Moon Nursery. Current Availability Click for Plant Lists

Who doesn't want to try basil glitter? New This Week August 16, 2022 Recipe: Blackberry Streusel Mascarpone Lemon Bars with Basil Glitter Who doesn't want to try basil glitter? Beloved staff member Brooke shared this recipe with us, and the title alone left our mouths watering! According to her, the basil glitter pulls it all together and cannot be missed. Let us know what you think if you give it a try - we know we can't wait to get in the kitchen. www.egglandsbest.com Eggland's Best | Cardamom Pecan-Crusted Blackberry Streusel… Learn how to make Cardamom Pecan-Crusted Blackberry Streusel Mascarpone Lemon Bars with Basil Glitter with a guided recipe using delicious and nutritious… Current Availability Click for Plant Lists

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 ) Current Availability Click for Plant Lists

Oakleaf Hydrangeas are beautiful natives with 4-season interest! New This Week October 3, 2023 Week of Oct 2nd: Plant Highlight Oakleaf Hydrangeas are beautiful natives with 4-season interest! Oakleaf hydrangeas naturally occur in moist woods and along stream banks in the southeast. The native range starts from the Carolinas down to Florida and as far west as Arkansas and Louisiana. This shrub is very adaptable to a wide range of sunlight, but in the South (zones 7-9) some degree of shade is best, whether it be dappled or afternoon reprieve. Preferred soils include moist, acidic, fertile, well-draining – with importance on “well-draining,” while the shrub exists along stream banks and moist woods, it cannot tolerate wet feet as this can cause root rot. Heavy clay soils hold water and don’t provide adequate drainage, make sure to amend the soil and plant high if this is the case for your planting site. Once the shrub is established it is drought tolerant, but will appreciate water during very dry conditions. Fall foliage of Oakleaf Hydrangea. Photo credit: gardenerspath.com Oakleaf hydrangeas are named after the similarity in leaf shape and fall color to that of the Northern Red Oak – a unique leaf shape and leathery texture compared to other hydrangea species. The fall color is stunning and will give rich tones of burgundy and red to your garden. The mature form of the shrub is multi-stemmed, upright and will usually grow wider than it does tall. Oakleaf hydrangea (straight species) can grow up to 10 feet tall and wide, but don’t worry, if you don’t have room for this one, there are plenty of cultivars that mature to a more manageable size. The outer layer of the mature stems exfoliate, revealing cinnamon colored bark and providing an interesting texture, which adds to winter appeal after the leaves have dropped. Similar to panicle hydrangeas, the white inflorescences consist of many individual flowers and are clustered in a conical shape. As the lightly fragrant blooms mature, the flower heads will slowly change to a pink-mauve color and eventually dry out through fall/winter to display a dried arrangement at the tips of the stems. Oakleaf hydrangea is a shrub I personally prefer not to prune, I like the natural look of this rounded-mounded shrub and I appreciate the space it fills, but if pruning is necessary, it’s best to prune right after it blooms in summer. Pruning at this time will allow the shrub to put on more growth for flowers the following year. If pruning is done in spring, you risk eliminating flowers for that growing season. Oakleaf hydrangea blooms are attractive to butterflies and other insects and songbirds eat the seeds. The low-growing, suckering habit of the shrub provides habitat and protection for small animals to nest, roost, and take cover. Unfortunately for gardeners living in an area of heavy deer pressure, deer also graze on this shrub, especially the tender tips, leaves, and flowers. Other than deer grazing, this shrub is relatively pest and disease free. Oakleaf hydrangeas work well in a natural landscape along a woodland edge, in groupings or mass plantings along a border, or paired with other woodland species in a garden bed with ferns, heuchera, azaleas, and rhododendrons. Below are the five types of oakleaf hydrangeas we have in stock. While the hardiness (zones 5-9), sunlight, and soil conditions remain the same across the varieties, we’ll make note of any differences in size and bloom features to help you choose which one works best in your landscape. Straight Species – This is the tried-and-true shrub that exists naturally in the southeast. It will eventually grow to heights of 10 feet tall and wide, but usually reaches 6-8’ tall and wide in a landscape. Snow Queen – A full-sized option that reaches a height of 6’ tall and up to 8’ wide and has strong stems to hold up large 8” long cones of blooms. Munchkin – A dwarf, compact variety only reaching 3-4 feet in height and width. Inflorescences reaching 6.5” long aging to pink. Pee Wee – A dwarf, compact variety with a rounded habit. This one won’t grow as wide as it does tall, for those tighter garden spots. Reaching 3-4’ tall and 2-3’ wide. Ruby Slippers – A dwarf, compact variety reaching 3-4’ tall and 3-5’ wide. Upright inflorescences reaching 9.5” long. White blooms will fade to a ruby-red throughout summer. Current Availability Click for Plant Lists

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 Current Availability Click for Plant Lists

TREES & SHRUBS We’re proud to offer a broad selection of shrubs and trees, including vibrant evergreen, blooming, and native varieties. While we propagate many shrubs right here on site, we source larger, slower-growing specimens from local wholesale nurseries and native growers within a day's drive. Sourcing regionally ensures our plants are already acclimated to our climate and arrive healthy without the stress of long-distance shipping! SEE AVAILABILITY LISTS A Few Favorite Trees & Shrubs for Wildlife American Beautyberry NATIVE American Holly NATIVE American Witch Hazel NATIVE Buttonbush NATIVE Chokeberry NATIVE Eastern Redbud NATIVE Fothergilla NATIVE Inkberry Holly NATIVE Oak (assorted) NATIVE Possumhaw Viburnum NATIVE Red Maple NATIVE Serviceberry (assorted) NATIVE Shrubby St. John's Wort NATIVE Spicebush NATIVE Sumac (assorted) NATIVE Winterberry NATIVE A Few Favorites For Shady Spaces Camellia (assorted) Deciduous Azalea (assorted) NATIVE Doghobble (assorted) NATIVE Flame Azalea NATIVE Fothergilla NATIVE Japanese Plum Yew Mountain Laurel NATIVE Oakleaf Hydrangea NATIVE Pieris Red Buckeye NATIVE Spotted Laurel (Aucuba) Sweetshrub (Carolina Allspice) NATIVE Winter Daphne A Few Favorite Moisture Lovers Bald Cypress NATIVE Buttonbush NATIVE Chokeberry NATIVE Elderberry NATIVE New Jersey Tea NATIVE Pussy Willow NATIVE Redtwig Dogwood NATIVE River Birch NATIVE Spicebush NATIVE Summersweet (Clethra) NATIVE Swamp Rose NATIVE Sweetshrub (Carolina Allspice) NATIVE Virginia Sweetspire NATIVE A Few Favorites for Winter Interest American Holly NATIVE American Witch Hazel NATIVE Camellia (assorted) Coralberry NATIVE Doghobble (assorted) NATIVE Eastern Ninebark NATIVE Pieris Redtwig Dogwood NATIVE Rhododendron NATIVE Snowberry NATIVE Winterberry NATIVE A Few Favorites for Privacy and Screening Arborvitae (assorted) Spotted Laurel (Aucuba) Camellia (assorted) Fernspray False Cypress Gold Mop (King's Gold) Eastern Hemlock NATIVE American Holly NATIVE Nellie R. Stevens Holly Southern Magnolia 'Alta' NATIVE Eastern Ninebark NATIVE Pieris Rhododendron NATIVE Osmanthus (Sweet Olive, Tea Olive) More Plants for Privacy Screens, Wind, and Sound Barriers A Few Favorites For Erosion Control Bearberry NATIVE Blueberry (assorted) Buttonbush NATIVE Summersweet (Clethra) NATIVE Cotoneaster Doghobble (assorted) NATIVE Redtwig Dogwood NATIVE Eastern Ninebark NATIVE River Birch NATIVE Serviceberry (assorted) NATIVE Shrubby St. John's Wort NATIVE Virginia Sweetspire NATIVE More Plants for Erosion Control at Painters Related Blog Posts Stay in Your Lane! Compact Plants for Small Spaces: Tree & Shrub Edition Mar 31 6 min read NCSU’s Mountain Crop Improvement (MCI) Lab and Available Plants Mar 17 3 min read Fringe Benefits: Why the White Fringetree Steals the Scene Jan 7 2 min read 1 2 3 4 5

It's shady business this week as we highlight two shade-loving shrubs that are ON SALE this week! New This Week May 17, 2022 Shrubs of the Week: Variegated Winter Daphne and Sweet Box It's shady business this week as we highlight two shade-loving shrubs that are ON SALE this week! It's shady business this week as we highlight two shade-loving shrubs that are ON SALE this week! Even better, they're both broadleaf evergreens and have fragrant blooms. We'd like to honor those gardens that most gardeners feel are "limited" due to less sun exposure. (Next week we'll highlight a couple of full sun loving shrubs, because those of use with full sun can feel limited too!) Variegated Winter Daphne - White or Pink Blooming ( Daphne odora aureo-marginata) (Pictured above) Winter Daphne is highly regarded for its strong scent - possibly the most delightful scent of any flower! This shrub blooms in late winter (late February and March) along the terminal stems. This particular variety has variegated leaves - yellow margins along the green leaves. This shrub would do best planted under a small deciduous tree where it is provided with shade in the hot summer months, but allowed to stand out in a winter landscape. Plant in an area where everyone can enjoy the fragrance. Mature height and width 4-5' in a loose mounding appearance / zones 7-9 / deer resistant. Daphne makes a great addition to a winter garden, but do note this shrub can be a bit challenging to grow if you're not aware of a few of its care needs: 1) Daphne does not tolerate soils with poor drainage...we're looking at you, clay soils! Root rot diseases associated with poorly drained soils are likely the major cause of failure in the landscape. Ideally, plant in well-drained woodland soil with plenty of humus or plant in a slightly raised bed with amended soil to ensure adequate drainage. 2) While Winter Daphne can tolerate full sun, it prefers a protected area providing moderate shade. 3) Avoid pruning - Daphne does not heal well from cuts into mature wood, so it's best to avoid pruning. However, "pinching" or taking cuttings from the slender tips of long shoots on current year's growth can make the plant fuller and promote heavier blooming. Available in 3 gallon pots for $30 (was originally $40) Sweet Box (photo: Missouri Botanic Gardens) Sweet Box ( Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis ) Sweet box is a slow growing evergreen shrub that forms a colony by spreading through underground stems. This is a dwarf variety and is often used as a high ground cover as it only reaches 1-2' tall and 3-4' wide. Sweet Box is a very tough and adaptable plant! It can tolerate deep, deep shade and even dry soils. It prefers slightly acidic, rich, moist soils that are well-drained. If the soil is very moist, Sweet Box can handle a little more sun. Inconspicuous blooms in early spring (mid-March) are white and fragrant. Great evergreen foliage with a contrasting light green on the underside of the leaves. Works well in a woodland garden or near shady entryways. Hardy in zones 6-9. Available in 6" pots for $8 (was originally $12) Current Availability Click for Plant Lists

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! Current Availability Click for Plant Lists

New Varieties for Living Walls New This Week March 23, 2026 Evergreen Shrubs Designed for Shade New Varieties for Living Walls While we always maintain a broad selection of evergreens for year-round structure and privacy, finding the perfect match for a shady corner can be a challenge. At Painters, we’re here to help! Alongside our dependable (and gorgeous!) staples like all the varieties of rhododendron, camellia, and pieris we carry, we’ve curated a collection of unique, shade-tolerant finds. This season, we’re especially excited to debut several varieties that go beyond our traditional lineup—perfect for adding a fresh look to your lower-light landscape. Hong Kong Rose 'Scarlet Bells' This rare and unique relative of witch hazel is adorned with abundant dangling clusters of lovely pink bell-shaped blooms from late winter to early spring--when little else is flowering. It's truly a sight to behold!! Rhodoleia henryi 'Scarlet Bells' Evergreen tree (z7-9) part shade Slow growing to 15' tall Thrives in rich, moist, acidic, well-drained soil with protection from hot afternoon sun Aka evergreen rose hazel Aucuba japonica 'Rozannie' This self-fertile fruiting cultivar with shiny, bright red berries that last throughout the winter months is reminiscent of holly. Additionally it has small red-purple flowers that bloom in spring. Its glossy green foliage is a great accompaniment to the more commonly known Aucuba japonica 'Mr. Goldstrike' --also available at Painters now--whose golden variegation lights up shady spots. Both varieties shown in photo. Evergreen shrub (z6-10) part-full shade 3-5' tall and wide Thrives in moist, well-drained soil with protection from hot afternoon sun and strong winds; drought tolerant once established Aka Japanese laurel Cherry Laurel 'Chestnut Hill' This tight, compact evergreen shrub takes very well to pruning and makes an excellent, easy-care low hedge. The fragrant white flowers in spring attract butterflies and showy black fruits attract birds--a super supportive and lovely living hedge. Prunus laurocerasus 'Chestnut Hill' Evergreen shrub (z6-9) part sun 4' tall and wide Disease resistant Cherry Laurel 'Napoleon' This cultivar is tiny but mighty with a dense, rounded habit and abundant, fragrant, pure white blooms in spring. Easy to care for, it would be a great low-maintenance hedge, foundation planting, or container shrub. Prunus laurocerasus 'Gajo Napoleon™' Evergreen shrub (z6-8) full sun-full shade 3' tall and wide Deer resistant, easy care Thrives in well-drained soil; drought tolerant once established As always, find prices, sizes, and current availability on our website. We just received a lovely delivery of shrubs from our friends at Big Frog Nursery including restocks as well as new for the season. The evergreens especially are looking great - some excellent options for privacy screening in sun as well as part shade! Check out the availability here: www.paintersgreenhouse.com Tree & Shrub Availability List | Painters Greenhouse Weekly updated inventory of Painters Greenhouse trees and shrubs, including perennial edibles and fruits. The list can be sorted by common or botanical name, quantity, price, size or department. General growing characteristics and native/nativar classifications are included. Current Availability Click for Plant Lists

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 Current Availability Click for Plant Lists

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! FALL GROWING LIST Native Plant 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 subject to change. This list does not reflect sales or discounted prices. For our Native selections, Search 'Native' or sort by Subdepartment. NOTE: We do not grow certain once-popular plants such as water hyacinths, butterfly bushes, and pampas grass because they are deemed invasive in NC and can cause significant problems for our wild flora and fauna as well as people (i.e. increased risk of flooding, erosion, or fires). Tree and Shrub Availability Tree and Shrub Availability

ANNUALS We offer a colorful variety of annuals perfect for any garden setting—from full sun to deep shade, and everything in between! With hundreds of varieties to choose from, we boast one of the largest inventories in WNC. For customers traveling a distance, our widest selection of annuals is typically available around early May. This timing ensures most of our plants are fully mature and past the risk of frost, ready to thrive in your garden! SEE AVAILABILITY LISTS A Few Favorite Sun Lovers African Daisy Angelonia Bidens Celosia Cosmos Dahlia Gazania Geranium Gomphrena Lantana Marigold Mexican Bush Sage Ornamental Peppers Pansies Pentas Petunia Pineapple Sage Portulaca Salvia (assorted) Snapdragon Strawflower Tithonia Verbena Vinca Violas A Few Favorite Shade Annuals Asparagus Fern Bedding Impatiens Coleus Fuschia New Guinea Impatiens Plectranthus Polka Dot Plant Torenia Tuberous Begonia Wax Begonia A Few Favorite Hanging Baskets for Sun Assorted Combos Calibrachoa (Million Bells) Dragonwing Begonia Fan Flower Geranium Lantana Petunia Portulaca Vining Black-eyed Susan A Few Favorite Hanging Baskets for Shade Asparagus Fern Assorted Combos Boston Fern Chinese Lantern Fuschia Kimberley Queen Fern Macho Fern New Guinea Impatiens Pothos and other Low Light Houseplants Rabbit's Foot Fern Staghorn Fern Streptocarpella (False African Violet) Swedish Ivy Torenia Wandering Jewel (Tradescantia) A Few Favorite Annual Climbers & Vines Wire Vine Wandering Jewel (Tradescantia) Vining Black-eyed Susan Trailing Lobelia Sweet Potato Vine Swedish Ivy Nasturtium Moon Flower Dipladenia Dichondra Bacopa A Few Favorite Accents and Tropicals Alternanthera Asparagus Fern Caladium Canna Lily Dipladenia Duranta (Golden Dewdrop) Dusty Miller Elephant Ear Glitz Euphorbia Golden Shrimp Plant Licorice Plant Persian Shield Purple Shamrock Red False Banana Taro Tropical Hibiscus Related Blog Posts Roll out the Red Carpet: Tips & Picks for Vibrant Red Blooms May 19 3 min read Scented Geraniums: the Aromatic All-Stars Mar 10 5 min read Late Autumn Seed-Sowing for Spring Blooms! Tips, guidelines, and steps for success Sep 23, 2025 7 min read 1 2 3 4 5