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

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

New This Week May 4, 2022 New Plants for the First Week of May Special houseplant release, combos to fit every need, Caladiums, and more! Special Houseplant Release this Weekend Starting this Saturday you will find a brand new selection of 2-4inch houseplants including String of Hearts, Variegated String of Hearts, String of Turtles, Variegated String of Pearls, and String of Pearls as well as: Philodendron Micans Assorted Cryptanthus Ferns including Eyelash Ferns and Heart Ferns. Nepenthes Bloody Mary Hoya Australis Lemon Lime Philodendron Variegated Strawberry Begonia Hoya Carnosa, Hindu Rope Peperomia Hope New Combos for Sun, Shade, and More You'll find sun and shade porch pot combos, coco fiber basket combos, combos in hanging cones, herb combos, and more as long as supplies last! Our team has been working tirelessly over the last few weeks putting these together and we guarantee you'll find one to fit your style! Tuberous Begonia Canna Lillies, Caladiums, Asparagus, and More! Including 11inch Tuberous Begonia Baskets, more warm season veggies including a restock of tomatoes and peppers, and: Trailing Vinca Baskets Canna Lilies Caladiums

New This Week March 6, 2023 Plant of the Week: Bulbs Want dramatic shapes and jaw dropping color with minimal effort in your garden this summer? Tuck some of our favorite spring-planted bulbs among your perennials or grow them individually in containers for big effect. Love fresh cut flowers? Some of our favorite flowers to add to a bouquet include Dahlias, Gladiolus, and Ranuculas. Below are a few of our favorite varieties of spring-planted bulbs all currently available at Painters Greenhouse: Photo: thedahliaexpert.com DAHLIA 'CAFE AU LAIT' Photo: gardenliving.no DAHLIA 'KASAGI' Photo: hirts.com BEGONIA DINNERPLATE 'CRISPA APRICOT' Photo: jacquesamandintl.com GLADIOLUS NANUS 'WHITE EYED MISS' Photo: https://pin.it/1U7XNmr GLADIOLUS 'BLUE BLEND' Photo: https://pin.it/453CqNf RANUNCULUS 'CAFE AU LAIT'

New This Week October 10, 2022 Plant of the Week: Pineapple & Mexican Bush Sage Two of our absolute favorite tender perennials for fall color and pollinator support Two of our absolute favorites for fall color and pollinator support, these beauties are also currently on sale! Mexican Bush Sage is most popular amongst the bees, and Pineapple Sage is a hummingbird magnet, though many other pollinators visit them as well! You can’t beat this incredible show of color and profuse blooms in the fall when so many other things are on their way out. These are both tender perennials in our area, though the Pineapple Sage is a bit tougher… we recommend planting in a sunny spot with some wind protection or near a building for extra warmth during winter. These are both great cut flowers as well- the Mexican Bush Sage lasts well over a week in water, and also does well dried! Pineapple Sage Come load up on these beauties!

New This Week August 10, 2023 West Asheville Elementary Garden's Bird Friendly Transformation Thanks to the Audubon’s Native Plants for Birds Program One of our favorite long-time customers, Jamie Harrelson, recently spearheaded a partnership with the local Audubon chapter to transform a garden to benefit birds and pollinators. Most of the plants came from Painters, and we were so excited to see what she did with them! What better way to encourage our youngest generations to learn about and appreciate native plants and wildlife? The birds and pollinators they will witness on these native plants will surely lead to budding gardeners and ecologists down the road; what a great teaching tool and garden therapy for the school and community! Below is an article Jamie wrote about the transformation along with photos of the project, likely to be included in the upcoming Blue Ridge Audubon Newsletter. In 2019, a garden bed at Lucy S. Herring Elementary School (formerly Vance Elementary School) in West Asheville caught my attention—the garden had, over the years, become a bit overgrown and was showing potential for a positive transformation. At that time, I was serving on the Board of Directors of the Blue Ridge Audubon Chapter (then known as the Elisha Mitchell Audubon Society), and, as a passionate birder and budding gardener, I was eager to expand Audubon’s Native Plants for Birds program. A partnership between the chapter and Lucy S. Herring Elementary seemed like the perfect fit. I had graduated from the school many years prior, and I still lived just down the street in the house I had grown up in. Also, the school’s focus on “the study of people and their relationship with the natural environment” dovetailed wonderfully with Audubon’s work on native plants and bird conservation. Faculty at the school were very interested when I reached out about this proposed partnership. The first step was prepping the garden bed, which involved a lot of digging and weeding. Kudos to two inspiring and dedicated Audubon volunteers—Tom Tribble and Nancy Casey—for their assistance with all of that digging. Those of you who garden know all too well that it’s hot and dirty work! The next step—and perhaps the most satisfying—was putting plants in the ground. We selected plants that are native to the area, provide a benefit to birds and pollinators, and grow well in the garden’s soil and light conditions. With funding assistance from the Audubon chapter, we purchased plants and started planting! Most of the plants came from my favorite plant nursery: Painters Greenhouse, located in Old Fort. Students at the school assisted with planting, and it was a great opportunity to talk to them about the importance of native plants. Fast-forward to summer 2023, and the garden is flourishing. On a typical summer day, you can find several species of native plants in bloom, and the garden is visited by various types of bees, butterflies, moths, and other pollinators. Monarch caterpillars munch on the milkweed leaves. Birds keep a watchful eye on the insect comings and goings, hoping to snag a tasty meal. A newly-installed sign educates passersby about the importance of native plants and provides suggestions for bird-friendly gardening. This project has involved the dedicated efforts of many folks over the years, and we continue to maintain the garden with the help of volunteers. Thanks to Jordan Diamond and Jenny Perry for their early interest in the partnership, and many thanks to Jordan for her work to establish and maintain gardens elsewhere on the school campus for the benefit of students, faculty and staff, visitors, and wildlife. Randy Richardson provided guidance on choosing plants for the garden. Tom Tribble and Nancy Casey have put in many hours of work to help improve the garden, and Tom was instrumental in sign installation. Last but certainly not least, Claudia Harrelson and Amber Harrelson-Williams have been an integral part of the project from the very beginning; their enthusiastic efforts and unwavering support have helped maintain the project’s momentum. If you are ever in the area, take a moment to stop and see what you can spot in the garden—and perhaps feel heartened by the fact that a group of dedicated people *can* make a positive difference! Jamie Harrelson Jamie (second from right) with her mother, Claudia, and sister, Amber - all three are dedicated bird watchers and native plant enthusiasts. We hope this story will encourage home gardeners as well as schools and community spaces to consider similar bird and pollinator-friendly installations/transformations!

New This Week September 15, 2022 New Plants Including Tractor Seat Plant, Carnivorous Plants, and more! We're over the moon! It's been almost two years but we were finally able to track down some Tractor Seat Plants! Tractor Seat Plant, aka Farfugium It's been almost two years, but we were finally able to track down some Tractor Seat Plants! Also known as Leopard Plant, we love the large shiny leaves (each growing up to 6" wide). Hardy to zone 7 and evergreen through most of the winter, it makes a great addition to shade gardens... plus it has bright yellow spike blooms November - December! Tractor Seat is also a beautiful houseplant option for low light (note that it is toxic to pets, so keep out of reach). We've also added a fun new selection of 2" Sundews, Venus Flytraps and Pitcher Plants, 2" succulents including some unique varieties of Haworthia and cacti, plus Lucky Bamboo!

New This Week September 6, 2023 Week of Sept 4th: What to Expect This Fall An incredible selection of homegrown beauties! We grew almost all of our annuals, perennials and edibles here on site for this fall season, and the hard work and individualized care of our production and growing teams shows! We also have an amazing selection of shrubs and trees, a majority of which were grown here or nearby. And don't forget our beautiful houseplant offerings, including some specialties we've been growing! You can view our availability and pricing here. Read on for just a few of our favorites... SHRUBS & TREES Native favorites Fringe Tree & American Beautyberry - Economically priced in 1-Gallon pots, fast growing so you'll quickly have a showpiece. Aronias - Three species of beautiful chokeberries in varied sizes. Staghorns - Three species of these beautiful natives. Redbud - We finally have the sraight species back in stock! Franklin Tree - Well-established and currently blooming! Great Rhododendron Selection Highlights are the "Capistrano", a variety by David Leach known as the best yellow Rhodo there is, and "Polarnacht", a German variety that has beautiful purple/magenta blooms with a compact habit. Specialty Redbuds 'Forest Pansy' 7G - gorgeous deep red/purple leaves and stunning blooms in the spring. "Ruby Falls" 10G - true cascading, deep purple foliage. Conifers Hemlocks and Bald Cypress that are really nicely established. Thujas for days - we have every color, size and shape you need! Arizona Blue Ice Juniper - gorgeous color contrast, smells amazing, faster growing. Fruit Trees Beautifully established and a great selection - the time to plant these is now! HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS Coreopsis - An assortment of some of the loveliest varieties, including straight species natives. Many in bloom and looking great for fall. Ironweed - We have both New York Ironweed and the Iron Butterfly cultivar, covered in rich purple blooms and pollinators! Echinaceas - Our selection includes a lot of rich warm tones perfect for fall, plus several straight species natives. Grasses are looking stunning - we made sure to grow plenty of Pink Muhly, and we have an extensive selection of colors and textures for various planting needs. ANNUALS We grew some beautiful, unique varieties of pansies and violas this season, and we are especially proud of how our mums turned out (kudos to our amazing growers during such a challenging, hot summer)! Make sure to also check out the Crossandra and Mula Mula for amazing seasonal color and fabulous texture! HOUSEPLANTS We've got some real beauties for all of you collectors out there, including our Thai Constellations grown with love (and competitively priced). And much, much more!! EXPANDED RETAIL OPTIONS We are excited to expand our retail selection with products from local artisans such as Solstice Handmade (native wildlife and plant art), Line by Line Macrame (plant hangers, earrings & more), and Earth Echoes (herbal products including a 'Painters Blend' gardeners' lotion), plus Elm Dirt Organic Liquid Fertilizers , houseplant tools by October Violet , Corona garden tools and more! BEHIND THE SCENES We have continued to work hard to improve our organization, production planning, and marketing with the incorporation of our Point of Sale and Inventory Management System this season. We have learned a lot about what our customers want, and have been very proactive in sowing and planting a much more extensive variety of natives (including straight species) and edibles (most will be ready next spring). We have also worked hard to find the perfect outdoor stickers and to get barcoding on every pot. The goal with barcoding is a faster checkout experience, and with receipts going to your email, you'll have a record of all purchases along with occasional growing tips for challenging or unique species. We remain committed to providing quality locally grown, healthy plants, while staying competitvely priced. You can learn more about the customer benefits of our POS and how we price our plants in our FAQ section . Our availability list with prices can be viewed here . We are SO EXCITED to share the beauty of the greenhouse with you in one week!!

New This Week May 30, 2023 Plant of the Week: Shasta Daisy Save on flats of 6 6-inch Shasta Daisies this week! Shasta Daisies (Leucanthemum x superbum) belong to the Asteraceae family, a large and diverse group of flowering plants. Developed by horticulturist Luther Burbank in the late 19th century, these daisies are a result of careful breeding, combining the oxeye daisy, English field daisy, and Portuguese field daisy. The name "Shasta" pays homage to the majestic Mount Shasta in California, where Burbank conducted his remarkable experiments. Well-known for their stunning white petals and sunny yellow centers, what appears to be a single flower is actually a composite of numerous tiny flowers. Each "petal" is an individual ray flower, while the vibrant center consists of multiple disc flowers, creating a visually striking bloom that attracts bees and butterflies! Members of the Asteraceae family, these hardy perennials were developed by horticulturist Luther Burbank in the late 19th century. These daisies are a result of careful breeding, combining the oxeye daisy, English field daisy, and Portuguese field daisy. The name "Shasta" pays homage to the majestic Mount Shasta in California, where Burbank conducted his remarkable experiments. Shasta Daisies are relatively low maintenance, requiring minimal watering once established (though they will appreciate a good soak during prolonged dry spells). These daisies are also known for their resistance to pests and diseases. Shasta Daisies are versatile performers, capable of shining in various garden settings. They thrive in full sun but can tolerate partial shade, making them adaptable to different areas of your landscape. Their compact and clumping growth habit makes them suitable for borders, rock gardens, or even containers. Additionally, Shasta Daisies make wonderful cut flowers, bringing their cheerful charm indoors to brighten up any room. SHASTA DAISY CARE Fertilizing: Shasta Daisies are not heavy feeders, but a light application of balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring can promote healthy growth and abundant blooms. Follow the instructions on the fertilizer packaging for the appropriate amount to use. Avoid excessive fertilization, as this can result in leggy growth and fewer flowers. Deadheading: To encourage continuous blooming, deadhead your Shasta Daisies regularly. This involves removing the spent flowers by cutting the stem just above a set of leaves or lateral bud. Deadheading prevents the plant from diverting energy into seed production and encourages the production of new buds, resulting in a prolonged flowering period. Division and Maintenance: Every 2-3 years, consider dividing your Shasta Daisies to maintain their vigor and prevent overcrowding. The best time to divide them is in early spring or early fall. Dig up the clump and gently separate it into smaller sections, ensuring each division has roots and foliage. Replant the divisions at the appropriate spacing, water them thoroughly, and continue with regular care. Pest and Disease Control: Shasta Daisies are generally resistant to pests and diseases, but occasional issues may arise. Keep an eye out for common pests like aphids or leafhoppers. If infestations occur, you can wash them off with a strong jet of water or use organic insecticidal soap if necessary. Provide adequate spacing between plants to promote airflow and reduce the risk of fungal diseases. If fungal infections like powdery mildew appear, treat them with an appropriate fungicide or remove and destroy affected plant parts.

New This Week March 27, 2023 The Winner of our April Sticker Design Contest is... ...Caroline Wilson! Congratulations to Caroline on winning our April Sticker Design Contest with her sticker featuring native plants and focusing on local! These beautiful stickers are on order, and will be available for purchase alongside Ciera's Williams' winning sticker in the next few weeks. We loved all the designs you submitted and can't wait to see what you will come up with next! You've got two more chances to win - the winner not only gets their design printed and sold at Painters but will receive a $100 Painters Greenhouse gift certificate! You've got two more chances to enter, and the winner not only gets their design printed and sold at Painters but will recieve a $100 Painters Greenhouse gift certificate! SUBMIT YOUR STICKER DESIGN FOR MAY

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!

New This Week March 29, 2022 Tree and Shrub of the Week - March 28th Featuring Profusion Crabapple and Loropetalum Dark Fire TREE OF THE WEEK: Profusion Crabapple The leaves on this sun-loving specimen tree emerge maroon, turning green with red veins, and morph into a brilliant orange in autumn. The long-lasting brilliant pink flowers help attract bees, and the tree's fruit provides winter food for birds. Did you know that this crabapple can also help pollinate apple trees? Bred for disease resistance to apple scab, cedar-apple rust, fireblight, and mildew, this tree will grow to a height of 20'. Loropetalum, Dark Fire (Photo: NC State Extension) SHRUB OF THE WEEK: Loropetalum Dark Fire Also known as Fringe Flower, this semi-evergreen shrub blooms bright pink in early spring and can even re-bloom! This variety has deep plum foliage, an upright mounding habit, and will reach a height and width of 4-5'. (Note that it is hardy in zones 7-10 and may not be suitable for our customers that live in colder areas.)