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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 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 The Evening Garden: Designing Your Tranquil Moonlit Escape Jun 4, 2024 3 min read 1 2 3 4

It's shady business this week as we highlight two shade-loving shrubs that are ON SALE this week! New This Week May 18, 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)

The foundation of your plant's health New This Week February 25, 2026 Start with Soil The foundation of your plant's health This is the time of year to start with your soil. It's so important to pay attention to soil building. Take the time to make it right before the planting season. It's the literal foundation for your plants. Whether you need to add nutrients to Helene-stripped soil, or amend your heavy clay for better drainage, refresh an existing garden bed, or just repot some growing houseplants: find a variety of potting mix, soil, mulch, and soil amendments for your 2026 spring garden needs. Nature’s Choice 350 Growing Mix - 2.8cf $20 Great multipurpose potting soil blend. Formulated for indoor and outdoor potted plants. Perfect for house plants, outdoor containers, re-potting, window boxes, flowers, vegetables. A similar mix to the soil Painters uses to grow almost all of their plants! Nature’s Choice Raised Bed Mix - 1cf $10 Ready-to-use mix formulated for vegetables, herbs, flowers and fruits in raised bed and outdoor container growing. Contains processed forest products, sphagnum peat moss, perlite and pH adjusted. Has a control-released fertilizer to feed your plants for up to 6 months. Coast of Maine Bar Harbor Potting Soil - 16qt $18 An organic, all-purpose potting soil. This soil is rich, dark brown and full bodied. It is designed for re-potting house plants, planting hanging baskets, window boxes, and all containers. Made with lobster and aspen bark compost, horticultural grade sphagnum peat moss, and perlite. Coast of Maine Indoor Houseplant Mix - 8qt $9 Formulated especially for indoor houseplants and flowers using coarse coconut coir, perlite, sphagnum peat moss, and aged bark to elevate drainage and aeration for stronger root development. This compost-free blend provides a great foundation for nurturing strong indoor plants. Coast of Maine Cactus and Succulents Mix - 8qt $12 Uses: Cactus, succulent, tropical palms and citrus plants. When choosing a soil for cacti and succulents, the most important thing to consider is drainage! The mix needs to drain well, BUT... not so well that it dries out completely. This blend's unique compost based formula provides that perfect balance of drainage and water retention. The addition of fish bone meal and kelp meal also promote healthy root and plant growth. Ingredients: sphagnum peat, organic compost, perlite, sand, aged bark, biochar, lime, fish bone meal and kelp meal. Coast of Maine Sprout Island Seed Starter - 16qt $18 Organic potting blend formulated for seed germination and rooting plant cuttings. Designed for soil-based seed starting, this blend helps promote germination and healthy root development. Ready to use in cell packs, trays or flats, this mix provides natural moisture retention and aeration. Nutrient starter charge includes mycorrhizae, worm castings, kelp & fully cured compost. Hardwood Mulch - 2cf $7 Easy use for most landscaping projects. Controls moisture to reduce water use. Insulates the soil and helps control weed growth. Adds natural color to any landscape project giving a finished look and feel. Undyed. Nature’s Choice Soil Conditioner - 1.5cf $8 Aged pine bark fines in small (½’’) pieces, perfect for top-dressing beds. Can be tilled into soil to loosen heavy clay and improve drainage, encouraging healthy root development. Black Kow - 1cf $7 Black Kow® cow manure is an odorless, weed free, rich, composted soil conditioner. 100% aerobically composted cow manure. Adds millions of beneficial microbes, nutrients and organic matter to soil. Helps break up clay soils and adds nutrients. Supports sandy soils to hold moisture and nutrients. Mix into soil as opposed to top dressing directly on/next to plants to avoid burn. For flowers, trees, shrubs, lawns and gardens. Black Kow - Mushroom Compost - 40lb $8 Mushroom compost is not made from ground up mushrooms as you might think. It's the soil used to grow mushrooms. Since mushrooms are such a delicate crop, the soil is used only once. Then we compost and bag it for home gardeners. This rich, soil-building medium is perfect for vegetable and flower gardens, hanging baskets, shrubs and trees. Mix it with your planting soil or native soil or as a top-dressing on potted plants of all types. Hi-Yield Triple Super Phosphate - 4lb $12 Hi-Yield Triple Super Phosphate encourages plants to develop sturdy root systems, increases bloom production, and strengthens fruit and bud set. Super Phosphate promotes vigorous plant root growth for vegetables, shrubs, flowers, shade, and fruit trees. Life Cycle Organics Worm Castings - 20oz $8, 1G $16 Made in NC ! All natural organic goodness. Increases plant growth and productivity by improving soil and supplying plants with essential nutrients. For best results mix 15% - 20% by volume with your favorite potting mix for new plantings, or top dress established plants by adding 1/4" - 1/2" layer of castings around plant base → rake into soil → water and cover with mulch. Espoma Supply Co Garden-Tone 3-4-4 4lb $16 Provides safe, continuous feeding for all vegetables. 100% natural and organic approved plant foods. Enhanced with Bio-tone beneficial microbes to help plants establish fast, develop deeper roots, and have superior blooms. Won't burn or leach away. Elm Dirt Bloom Juice 16oz $19.95 Award Winning Bloom Juice is specifically made to enhance and magnify flowers, blooms, fruits, and vegetables. Made with worm castings to create a living liquid that speeds up the delivery of essential nutrients for blooming plants. The phosphorus, calcium and iron-rich liquid help create the ideal environment for all plants to thrive and bloom.

We are a Certified Native-Friendly Supplier New This Week April 9, 2024 Natives at Painters We are a Certified Native-Friendly Supplier It's national Native Plant Month!! At Painters we are proud to promote native plants and foster our collective native ecosystems here in Western North Carolina. A native plant is a plant that grows naturally in a place rather than having been introduced by humans. Unlike many cultivated ornamental plants, native plants have evolved with the local climate and wildlife and provide important food sources and habitats for native animals. When you plant a native plant, you support an entire community of native organisms–birds, insects, mammals, reptiles, fish and other animals that are dependent on native plants for food and shelter. Native plant loss due to the spread of invasive non-native plants poses a serious disruption to ecosystems here in WNC and everywhere. Interest in preserving and supporting our native habitats has become increasingly important to many of our customers and is often the reason new customers seek us out - for our wide range of native plants. But did you know that we are one of very few greenhouses in WNC certified to be on the NC Native Plant Society’s list of native-friendly suppliers, and that we have likely the most diverse selection of natives available to retail customers? (Some of which are supplied by our friends at Carolina Natives Nursery - check out their amazing website, newsletter, and visit their Bee Native Shop if you haven't already!) So what does that mean? Nurseries on the NC Native Plant Society’s list only sell nursery propagated plants, and do not sell any plants listed as Rank 1 or Rank 2 on the NC invasive exotic plants lists . Rank 1 and 2 plants are those that present the most severe threat to native ecosystems. Plants that are not native to our region and that have become aggressive invaders of natural areas pose a serious threat to biological diversity. Also, when we garden with native plants grown in nurseries–rather than collecting wild specimens–it preserves those important wild populations. (And for straight species, using plants grown from seed over clonal material when possible preserves genetic diversity--Painters has greatly increased their native selection grown from seed just this year.) These shared values make Painters an important collaborator with organizations like the NC Native Plant Society and Bee City USA /Xerces Society as we all do our part to be stewards of our natural heritage. These lists are by no means static or complete, so as they are updated, Painters is committed to reviewing our program to stay abreast of changes in our WNC ecosystem. As a result of recent updates to these invasive lists, we are no longer growing: Lysimachia nummularia - Golden Moneywort (Creeping Jenny) Myriophyllum aquaticum - Parrot's Feather Pontedaria crassipes [formerly Eichhornia crassipes ] - Water Hyacinth Pistia stratiotes - Water lettuce Vinca minor - Ralph Shugert (while a less aggressive cultivar, we now carry no vinca) We will always do our best to help our customers find native and non-invasive substitutes wherever possible. And start your research here! We’ve got a lot of great links on our website including: Native Plants at Painters Greenhouse North Carolina Native Plant Society Resources: NC Natives by Season and Color Native Groundcovers of NC Favorite Native Ferns for NC Gardens Native Wildflowers of NC 39 Harmful Ornamental Plants Still Sold in NC and Suggested Alternatives https://plants.ncwildflower.org/plant_galleries/ A phenomenal Native Plants Database where you can search for 25,198 native plants by scientific or common name or choose a particular family of plants: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Native Plants Database North Carolina Botanical Garden Resources: Native Trees and Shrubs for Your Garden* Native Wildflowers for Your Garden* Creating Your Pollinator Garden And More: Nesting & Overwintering Habitat for Pollinators & Other Beneficial Insects Plants for Birds | Audubon North Carolina

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!

Upcoming Events at Painters Greenhouse! Classes, festivals, guest vendors, food trucks, pop-ups, and more. UPCOMING EVENTS Standing with Moises Wed, May 27 LEARN MORE

Complete List of Native Plants at Painters New This Week February 20, 2024 Spring 2024 Native Plants Complete List of Native Plants at Painters At Painters, our collective ecological footprint is important to us. To combat the environmental harm of invasive plant species as well as creating food sources and native habitat for wildlife, we are committed to growing and offering a wide variety of native plant species. Cultivating a landscape of diverse and vigorous natives reduces the opportunity for invasives to take hold. February 26 kicks off National Invasive Species Awareness Week and in sharing this educational platform, we wish to reiterate our commitment to not selling plants that are invasive in Western North Carolina. Additionally, we're particularly excited to share that we've expanded our offerings of straight species natives. So as you plan your gardens for spring, take a look at our list of 2024 Native Plant offerings. There's a lot to be enthusiastic about! This is a complete listing of native plants to be offered at Painters over the course of our spring season--annuals, perennials, trees, and shrubs. Some will be available day one and others will be ready for purchase later in the season. We plan our production with the goal of plants maturing and selling at a time when they will most likely succeed and do not artificially force our natives to emerge sooner than nature intends. Prices, quantities, and sizes will be added to our weekly Availability Lists as the season progresses. Spring 2024 Native Plant List - Updated 2.27.24 .pdf Download PDF • 77KB Click here to read more about Native Plants at Painters!

Why a Butterfly Bush isn't as sweet as it seems... New This Week May 19, 2025 Plant This, Not That! Why a Butterfly Bush isn't as sweet as it seems... Butterfly Bush Buddleja davidii (or Buddleia davidii ) Who doesn't want a plant called a Butterfly Bush!? Such savvy marketing leads us astray! Maybe you love Butterfly Bushes for their shape and color and their interesting blooms. Or maybe you love them for their drought tolerance and easy care. Or maybe you really love them because you really love butterflies! (I’m betting this is our main camp!) So why would we ever ask you to NOT plant that next butterfly bush? This one is a hard one! Butterfly bushes are such pretty plants. We love pretty plants! ( Have you SEEN our Instagram feed!?! ) Wandering through our many growing spaces at Painters, one could even presume that pretty is our only game. 😀 But in the many years we’ve been growing and selling plants, we learn more and more the importance of beneficial alongside beauty. We want to appreciate and support diverse wildlife alongside an aesthetically beautiful natural space. And frankly, it’s an easy thing to do once you realize how many plants are both beautiful AND beneficial! Butterfly bushes are undeniably attractive to butterflies with their abundant nectar. They draw adult butterflies with their flower spikes, but butterfly species need resources in all stages of life. Native to China, butterfly bush is not a host plant for any native North American butterfly caterpillars, meaning they cannot use it as a food source. Without caterpillars, there will be no adult butterflies. Also without caterpillars, birds will not survive. The last thing any of us intended when planting that pretty butterfly bush is a decline of local butterfly and bird populations, but that could be an indirect result. While the nectar may feed adults, their young need food too. Buddleia can inadvertently disrupt local ecosystems in other ways too. Each of their many flower spikes can produce up to 40,000 tiny dust-like seeds. Add wind and water and this non-native, easy-to-grow plant becomes quite prolific. Sometimes spreading into edge habitats and outcompeting native plants that our local butterflies and other pollinators rely on for food and shelter throughout their entire life cycle–not just for nectar. By choosing native alternatives, we can offer a more comprehensive and sustainable support system for our local butterfly populations and contribute to the overall health and biodiversity of our WNC environment. There are many stunning native flowering plants that are just as enticing to butterflies and play a critical role in our local food web. Let’s give you some great alternatives! You can create a haven for local butterflies and other pollinators by selecting a native flowering shrub that thrives in your specific site. For sunny locations, Sweet Pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia ) and Virginia Sweetspire ( Itea virginica ) are beautiful and beneficial options. If you have wetter soil, Buttonbush ( Cephalanthus occidentalis ) is a great choice with incredibly fun blooms that support a multitude of moths and bees as well as butterflies, as is New Jersey Tea ( Ceanothus americanus ) with its large, airy blooms that are highly beneficial to a range of pollinators. If you are seeking drought tolerant plants that are easy care and you're especially tied to the blue color of many butterfly bushes, Bluebeard ( Caryopteris ) and Lilac Chaste Tree ( Vitex ) are pollinator magnets that perform in dry heat. While not native, and therefore not providing food for caterpillars, they are not invasive and therefore shouldn't push out native food sources. If you choose either of these, we recommend planting a variety of native food sources nearby to ensure caterpillars have needed support (such as the above native shrubs, native hibiscus, Pussy Willow, Joe-Pye, asters and goldenrod). You can also attract and feed a multitude of butterflies by planting drifts of tall perennials such as Anise Hyssop ( Agastache ), Blazing Star ( Liatris ), various Joe-Pye Weed species ( Eutrochium ), and different milkweed species ( Asclepias, etc ). We specifically love the Anise Hyssop because of its gorgeous spike blooms similar to the Butterfly Bush and how full and large it grows during the season. Anise Hyssop

Plus beautiful hard-to-find pitcher plants! New This Week April 28, 2025 Awesome native and non-invasive aquatics Plus beautiful hard-to-find pitcher plants! We are excited to announce a new stock of locally grown carnivorous plants including beautiful, hard-to-find pitcher plants from a local grower! Plus w e've heard from you and this spring we have grown a better selection of marginal aquatics than ever before! If you are new to water gardening, m arginal aquatic plants thrive in shallow water near the edges of ponds and water gardens. Their roots grow under water but their foliage and flowers emerge above. They come in all shapes and sizes and perform several vital functions. They provide habitat for fish and wildlife, provide food for waterfowl, and they can help reduce shoreline erosion. Additionally, some of the marginals we have at Painters can spread out onto the water’s surface from the edge where they are rooted, providing some coverage for fish & creatures and helping to prevent algae development. Marginals are also perfect to soften the pond edges and blend the water garden into the landscape. Check out this list of plants growing at Painters this spring! Painters List of Moisture Lovers and Marginal Aquatic Plants To continue to support the natural ecology here in WNC, Painters Greenhouse has revamped our aquatics program in other ways too*. While we no longer carry typical floating aquatics like water hyacinth or parrot's feather, we have native fairy moss (floater/surface cover) and frogbit (floater/surface cover and very similar to tiny water lilies)! *A lot of the aquatics that are typically sold for water gardening have become invasive in our area with very serious consequences. These non-native aquatics are not just outcompeting other native plants (which is problem enough), but when they grow quickly and form dense mats, they block sunlight and reduce oxygen which harms fish and other native aquatic life. These masses of invasives can also interfere with recreation, and most critically, add to flood risk and clog water supply systems. We certainly don't need to increase our likelihood of flooding or decrease access to clean, plentiful water! Even if you are the most diligent and responsible pond keeper, anything out-of-doors is too often outside of our control. For example, raccoons and bears love to snack on water hyacinth. The seeds pass through their digestive system and are then deposited in their scat (poop). This scat, with its viable seeds, can then be dispersed to new locations spreading water hyacinth in unintended waterways. Additionally, flooding is a significant contributor to the spread of invasive species - if you had invasive aquatics or terrestrial plants that got washed away in Helene, it's very likely that some of them survived.

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

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 )

Connect with us to learn more about Painters and what we offer. CONTACT US Connect with us to learn more about Painters and what we offer. For Growing List and Availability Lists, click here. For H ours & Directions, click here . Or visit our Policies/FAQ page here. (Note that we are not able to offer wholesale, holds, prepay, or landscaping services.) Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news! Name Phone Email How did you hear about us? Choose an option Subject Message I want to subscribe to the newsletter. SUBMIT Thanks for submitting! 734 Roy Moore Rd, Old Fort, NC 28762, USA info@paintersgreenhouse.com (828) 668-7225

Proud to be listed among WNC's best New This Week August 28, 2025 Thanks for voting for Painters! Proud to be listed among WNC's best 3 years in a row! We are so grateful to our faithful customer base who have helped us build and maintain what makes Painters special. We know word of mouth is a critical part of creating this community–and the secrets out! Thanks for sharing and for taking the time to vote.

Alternatives to Bradford Pear New This Week March 24, 2025 Plant This, Not That! Alternatives to Bradford Pear Bradford pear is a popular cultivar of the Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana) native to China and Vietnam. White spring blooms, dark glossy leaves, and a tight pyramidal growth habit has made Bradford pear a common ornamental chosen for landscapes. Bradford pear was originally bred to be sterile and the flowers unable to pollinate themselves. As more cultivars of Callery Pear entered the market, more opportunities for cross-pollination arose, fruit with viable seeds were produced and birds helped spread. You can now find thick stands of thorny Callery Pear escaped from cultivation and present along roadways, fence lines, and edges of cleared land. Chances are the white blooming trees you often see this time of year are seedlings from Bradford pears. The thorny Bradford pear offspring are not desirable to deer browsing, have such a dark, thick canopy it easily outcompetes native vegetation, and grows vigorously–all of these traits allow it to become extremely competitive with native vegetation. Aggressive Bradford pear trees -- Photo credit: NC Cooperative Extension In addition to their invasive qualities, Bradford pear blooms have an unpleasant smell, a fishy or rotting meat odor attracts carrion-loving beetles and flies, which are the original pollinators of the Callery tree. With their rapid growth rate the limbs and trunk are structurally weak and often split and fail within 10-20 years of its lifespan. Serviceberry as a Gorgeous alternative! Here are some options to replace your Bradford pears that will provide more than just ornamental value, but also ecological value and a longer lifespan. These small deciduous tree choices are all native to western North Carolina and in stock at Painters Greenhouse. Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.) White blooms in early spring (aligns with Bradford pear bloomtime), usually reaches 25’ in height and width at maturity, edible fruit and stunning fall color. White Fringe Tree (Chionanthus virginicus) White, fragrant, dainty blooms in spring, reaches 12-20’ in height and width, produces fruit (similar to olives) appealing to wildlife if a male and female tree are present. Redbud (Cercis canadensis) Magenta spring blooms present before leaves, reaches 20-30’ tall and wide, valuable nectar and pollen source for bees when food sources are scarce. Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) White spring bloomer, reaches 15-25’ tall and wide, beautiful fall foliage. Carolina Silverbell (Halesia Carolina) Showy white blooms in late April/early May droop from dainty limbs, slowly reaches 20-30’ tall and wide, canopy is open-form with a loose pyramidal shaped crown.

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!