Search Results

New This Week June 6, 2023 Celebrate National Pollinator Month with Perennials from Painters Thanks to an unusually cool spring our selection of perennials is looking better than ever! June is National Pollinator Month and what better way to celebrate than by planting pollinator plants from Painters? Thanks to an unusually cool spring, our selection of perennials is looking better than ever! We've got a beautiful selection including many beneficial pollinator plants that are bursting into bloom - just waiting for you to enjoy in your garden all summer long! Preview some of our beautiful Salvias, Catmint, & Coreopsis, to discover the many varieties of Coneflower & Black-Eyed Susans we have available, and to get a head start on your fall garden with a selection of some of our favorite fall bloomers like Joe Pye Weed, Hardy Mums, and Hardy Asters! Jump to: POLLINATOR FAVORITES RUDBECKIA AND ECHINACEA VARIETIES FALL-BLOOMING PERENNIALS AVAILABLE NOW POLLINATOR FAVORITES Catmint Transform your garden into a buzzing paradise with vibrant Catmint—a nectar-rich perennial that attracts a kaleidoscope of pollinators. It's hard to truly capture the beauty of these plants in photos! 'Whispurr Pink' Catmint 'Walker's Lowe' Catmint 'Prelude Purple' Catmint Salvia Entice a wide assortment of pollinators to your garden by planting Salvia, including the varieties pictured above: Salvia 'Caradonna' Salvia 'May Night' Salvia 'New Dimension Rose' Coreopsis & Globe Flower Unleash a burst of sunshine in your garden with Coreopsis and Globe Flower—these radiant blooms not only brighten up any landscape but also beckon a swarm of pollinators, creating a buzzing ecosystem of vibrant colors and delightful flutters. 'UpTick Yellow & Red' Coreopsis 'Golden Queen' Globe Flower 'UpTick Red' Coreopsis Our St. John's Wort and Yarrow are just starting to bud, while our selection of Wild Bergamot is still waiting to show off its beautiful and unique pale purple blooms! 'Miracle Grandeur' St. Johns Wort Assorted Yarrow Wild Bergamot Milkweed Join us in nurturing nature's most enchanting creatures with the alluring beauty of milkweed—these magnificent plants not only add a touch of elegance to your garden but also serve as a vital lifeline for the graceful monarch butterflies, making your outdoor space a sanctuary for their incredible journey. Shasta Daisies Both pollinator favorites and beautiful perennials in bloom, our selection of Shasta Daisies make a great addition to any garden year after year! Dianthus Grace your garden with the exquisite blooms, vibrant hues, and sweet fragrance of Dianthus while attracting pollinators. 'Flashing Lights" Dianthus 'Rockin Red' Dianthus 'Kahori Scarlet' Dianthus RUDBECKIA AND ECHINACEA VARIETIES AVAILABLE Rudbeckia We've got a large selection of desirable Rudbeckia varieties including: 'Prairie Sun' Black-Eyed Susan 'Denver Daisy' Black-Eyed Susan 'Prairie Glow' Brown-Eyed Susan Black-Eyed Susan, Rudbeckia hirta 'Cappuccino' Black-Eyed Susan 'Cherokee Sunset' Black-Eyed Susan (not pictured) 'Cherry Brandy' Black-Eyed Susan (not pictured) 'Little Gold Star' Black-Eyed Susan (not pictured) 'Viette's Little Suzy' Black-Eyed Susan (not pictured) Echinacea You could fill a garden with our varieties of Echinacea available and never get bored of all the shapes, colors, sizes and textures! We continue to expand our selection of this beloved native plant and therefore have a wider selection of healthy coneflower varieties available than usual for this time of year! Pale Purple Coneflower, Echinacea pallida 'Once in a Melon' Coneflower, Echinacea 'Summer Song Fire Finch' Coneflower, Echinacea 'Magnus' Purple Coneflower , Echinacea purpurea Tennessee Coneflower, Echinacea tennesseensis 'Rocky Top' Tennessee Coneflower, Echinacea tennesseensis 'White Swan' Coneflower, Echinacea hybrid 'Prairie Splendor Deep Rose' Coneflower, Echinacea purpurea FALL-BLOOMING PERENNIALS AVAILABLE NOW Get a head start on your fall garden by planting late-blooming perennials like 'October Skies' Hardy Aster 'Little Joe' Joe Pye Weed 'Cambodian Queen' Hardy Mum Other varieties available include: 'Winston Churchill' New York Aster Blue Wood Aster 'Purple Dome' New England Aster 'Henry Blue' New York Aster Sweet Joe Pye Weed 'Gateway' Joe Pye Weed 'Hillside Sheffield Pink' Hardy Garden Mum 'Mammoth Yellow Quill' Hardy Garden Mum Goldenrod is also a great fall-blooming perennial and source of late season food! Learn more about this week's plant of the week . And don't forget to add perennial ferns and other foliage plants to your garden for multi-season interest! Our Autumn Ferns are looking amazing!

New This Week March 20, 2023 Plant of the Week: Painter's Palette Anthurium Add a pop of color to your home with this blooming houseplant! With stunning red, pink or orange blooms that last for several months at a time, anthurium are very easy plants to care for. Place your Anthurium in a bright room, but not in direct sunlight... they can even handle relatively low light, and only need moderate/regular water. An easy, low maintenance way to add some brilliant color to your space! Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light to moderate light Soil Needs: well draining soil rich in organic matter and amended with perlite/orchid bark is ideal, but they aren't super picky (probably fine to stay in whatever you bought them in for a while!) Water: Water when the top 2 inches of soil are dry Humidity: Flowering varieties can tolerate lower humidity than other anthuriums Fertilizer: Fertilize once a month with 1/4 strength fertilizer Care: Easy

New This Week February 27, 2023 Plant of the Week: Winter Daphne One of our favorite shrubs that bloom in late winter, with beautiful, fragrant blooms! Winter Daphne (White or Pink Blooming ) 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. It does 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. An added bonus is that it is deer resistant! Plant in an area where everyone can enjoy the fragrance, and allow for a mature height and width of 4-5 feet. 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 the current year's growth can make the plant fuller and promote heavier blooming.

New This Week January 30, 2024 Happy Lunar New Year! Plants to Bring Good Luck in 2024 Fill your home or office with plants to bring you good luck in 2024! Beyond the auspicious symbolism, you certainly will be fortunate to have a beautiful space! Looking for good fortune in money and financial matters for the coming year? A commonly known plant for luck during the Chinese New Year is a jade plant . These plants are believed to bring about wealth, success, and good fortune. They’re also very easy-care and good for plant novices as well as experienced houseplant parents. Watch for a new variety—the Crassula platyphylla ‘ Burgundy Jade’ —at the Painters Valentine’s Day Event. The coin-like leaves of the Pilea peperomioides or ‘Chinese Money Plant’ symbolize prosperity! Bring one into your workspace or home office! This houseplant is very forgiving, and is also a fun option due to the continuous babies it produces. Also known as the ‘Sharing Plant’, you can repot the babies and gift prosperity to friends and family as well! Red is a traditional symbol of vitality and the color of celebrations and prosperity for the Lunar New Year and beyond. Red is associated with life-generating energy such as the sun, blood, and fire. Add any of the below plants for an auspicious red accent! Anthurium 'Black Magic' angel wing begonia Scutum roseum or 'Pink maidenhair fern' (Not technically RED, but so very special that it demanded a highlight!) 2024 is the Year of the Wood Dragon, so channel that same strength and vitality with a Dragon Tail rhaphidophora. These mature into stunning climbers! Aloe vera , with its known healing properties, is a great choice to bring health and wellbeing into 2024. Many plants do a great service of helping to clean the air, but they are also good luck in Feng Shui because they are said to cleanse bad energy from a space. Place a sansevieria or snake plant near your front door to keep your home full of good energy. Philodendron brasil, while not traditionally a plant for the Lunar New Year, is a symbol of health and abundance. Place one in the center of your home or space to channel positive energy in 2024. The new growth has a beautiful rosy hue–quite romantic! A peace lily, as its name suggests, is known to promote inner peace, happiness, and serenity. Bring one home to help convert negative vibes to positive!

New This Week March 18, 2024 Plant of the Week: Clematis Care Tips and 2024 Availability! We ❤ clematis for several reasons, namely, because there are SO many beautiful colors and shapes to choose from! We always struggle to decide which to grow each season and are extra excited for this year’s selection. Clematis can be a bit finicky to start in a greenhouse setting, especially in cooler months, but we altered our growing schedule and techniques and the plants look extra healthy and lush as a result! Clematis are most often grown vertically on a trellis or arbor, but many varieties also do well in pots or sprawling over a wall. CLEMATIS GROWING TIPS Clematis has a few specific needs that, once met, ensure a healthy, heavily blooming perennial vine year after year. Clematis are said to like having their “heads in the sun and feet in the shade”. Mulching around the roots will help keep the soil cool, as will the foliage of a low-growing perennial placed in front of this vine. The key is really maintaining moisture around the roots, as well as preventing hot afternoon sun from fading the blooms. Choose an area with plenty of morning and midday sun, but some protection from direct sunlight in mid to late afternoon (or if in sun all day, preferably northern or eastern facing). When planting clematis, make sure to dig a large hole (up to 2 feet wide and deep), and amend the soil to improve drainage and give it some extra nutrition (try mixing ½ compost with existing soil and a bit of bark/soil conditioner). Plant the clematis with the crown of the plant 1-2 inches below the edge of the hole, and then fill the top in with mulch (straw and bark are both fine). Watering deeply once a week will help ensure lots of blooms! Check on which pruning group your clematis is in to know when and how to cut it back for the best blooming results. (Pruning Group 1: prune mid to late spring after flowering has occurred, Pruning Group 2: prune in February and again after the first flush of flowers in early summer, or Pruning Group 3: prune in February.) Don’t panic if you don’t find the time to prune - it just may mean fewer blooms or only one flush for the season. Below are our 2024 varieties and what makes each one special – good luck picking just one! All are sold in one-gallon pots for $18.50. ASAO One of the earliest clematis to bloom. Bold, fragrant, bright pink flowers. A good choice for containers or small gardens with trellising. Deadhead after first flush of flowers to encourage rebloom. Climbing 7-9’. (Pruning Group 2) BELLE OF WOKING A beloved favorite since its introduction in 1875. It still sets the standard for double-bloomers. Silvery flowers mature through slight mauve to light purple/blue. Climbing 7-9’. (Pruning Group 2) NIOBE Deep burgundy, velvety flowers and widely considered the best red bloomer on the market. Climbing 8-10’. (Pruning Group 2) POLISH SPIRIT One of the easiest clematis to grow and perfect for beginners. Extra vigorous, profusely flowering and highly rewarding! Rich purple blooms from summer to fall. Needs a wall or support to climb up to 13’. (Pruning Group 3) DR. RUPPEL Durable, deer resistant, and heavy flowering. More tolerant of shade than most. Beautiful lavender-pink blooms and attractive seed heads. Climbs 10-12’. (Pruning Group 2) DUCHESS OF EDINBURGH Large, luscious, velvety white blooms, fully double in first flush and semi-double in the fall. A treasured favorite since the late 1800s. Larger vines at 8-12’. (Pruning Group 2) WESTERPLATTE Bold and massive, eye-catching blooms range from rich magenta to purple with darker centers. Semi-compact vine at 6-9’. (Pruning Group 2) MISS BATEMAN 6” white blooms with burgundy anthers emerge earlier, blooming in late spring, and then flower again in early fall. Vigorous, yet semi-compact at 6-8’. (Pruning Group 2) NELLY MOSER Giant blooms (up to 8”) are pale pink with candy pink striping and reddish sepals (and per this photo, can vary quite a bit based on sun exposure, bloom age, etc). A favorite since it was introduced in 1897, with profuse blooms in May-June and again in September. Larger vine at 8-10’. (Pruning Group 2) PINK CHAMPAGNE Masses of giant 6-8” flowers are deep rose with gold sepals, and have slightly cupped petals. Bloom in May-June and again in September. Semi compact at 6-8’. (Pruning Group 2) BETTY CORNING ( Clematis viticella) A compact deciduous climber at 5-6’ with small flowers produced on the current year's growth. Fragrant, lilac-purple, bell-shaped flowers bloom summer to fall. (Pruning Group 3) Note: Clematis are toxic to many pets (including horses), so keep your furbabies from munching.

New This Week June 6, 2022 Trees of the Week 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.

New This Week March 11, 2024 Plant of the Week: Mountain Laurel Kalmia latifolia BASIC FEATURES: Broadleaf, evergreen shrub with clusters of spring blooms May/June. Tight, compact habit while young and growing into an open form with gnarly trunks as it ages. WHAT’S IN A NAME? Kalmia latifolia. Kalmia named after Swedish-Finnish botanist Pehr Kalm. Kalm was a disciple of Carl Linnaeus and explored eastern N. America extensively during the mid-1700s. We can thank Carl Linnaeus for the binomial system of naming plants (genus and species latin names). Latifolia translates to “with broad leaves.” FAMILY: Ericaceae (Heath) – family members include rhododendron, blueberries, azaleas, bearberries, andromeda, etc. NATIVE RANGE: Native to eastern North America from New Brunswick south to Florida and west to Tennessee. FUN FACT: Pollen catapults! Mountain laurel flowers evolved to have the pollen producing flower parts (stamens) tucked into the walls of the petals. When a bumblebee visits, the movement and vibrations inside the flower release the “spring loaded” stamens from the petals and drum against the bee, releasing pollen onto its body before it visits another bloom. Next time you see a fresh mountain laurel bloom, wiggle your finger inside it to see the catapults in action! NOT-SO-FUN FACT: All parts of mountain laurel are toxic and can be fatal to humans and animals if ingested. Even honey made from bees that forage exclusively on mountain laurel is toxic, referred to as “Mad Honey.” Burning the wood creates smoke that can be poisonous to inhale. GROWING CONDITIONS: SOIL : Prefers rich acidic soils with good drainage. Appreciates mulch in the landscape to make sure roots stay moist and cool. SUNLIGHT : Prefers morning sun and afternoon shade. Appreciates winter shade, especially in the southeast. HEIGHT/WIDTH : Variable heights, expect cultivars to be shorter. In landscapes, the straight species mountain laurel slowly grows to an average height of 6-15’ (in 10 years time expect 4-8’ of growth). Uncommonly, it can reach up to 30’ tall on rich slopes of the Appalachian mountains. ZONES : 4-9 We are starting off the season with the straight species mountain laurel as well as three different varieties. They all prefer the same growing conditions, and only vary in size, bloom colors, and other aesthetic characteristics: K. latifolia (straight species) Traditional mountain laurel will reach heights of 15’+ over time. Soft pink buds open to white blooms. K. latifolia ‘Yankee Doodle’ Red flower buds open to irregular maroon banded blooms with a large white throat. Foliage is yellow green. Grows to 8-10’ tall and wide. K. latifolia ‘Keepsake’ Raspberry red buds will open to purplish burgundy flowers with thin white edging. The new growth is reddish bronze and leaves mature to a glossy, deep blueish green. Dense rounded habit reaching 4-5’ tall and wide. K. latifolia ‘Nathan Hale’ Red flower buds open pink. Symmetrical habit reaching 8’ tall and wide. Leaves are thick, shiny, and dark green. The petioles and stems of new growth are purplish red.

New This Week April 1, 2024 Moths, Pollinators, & other Insects: Read Up and then Meet Up! Local Events on BUGS! FOR ALL OF US WHO LOVE BUGS! A few refresher reads from last year's Pollinator Week will get you excited and ready for the upcoming community events at The Black Mountain Center for the Arts. www.paintersgreenhouse.com 10 Favorite Plants for Attracting Moths, Our Beautiful Unsung Pollinators The Cecropia Moth is perhaps one of the most magnificent of our native species. Source: Moths of North AmericaIt's National Moth Week! This means folks from all over the world are participating in a global citizen science project, taking photos of moths they attract or find, and sharing them with conservation organizations. Don't know how to attract moths via moth lights or baiting? Wondering why you should care? Find them fascinating and want to learn about events in our area to geek out w www.paintersgreenhouse.com Moths: The Pollinators You Didn't Know About All the media hype seems to be focused on bees, and perhaps a few butterflies, as the most important pollinators. For sure, pollinators are critical to us and the environment, with about 80% of flowering plants requiring active pollination by ants, bees, bats, birds, butterflies, moths, wasps and other animals, and about 75% of our crops depending on pollinators. Without pollinators we would starve and have little to look at in the natural world! We all tend to think of bees (specifically hone And once you've done some homework, meet up with other insect aficionados at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts: Please Bug Me An Exhibit that Celebrates the Importance and Beauty of Insects Exhibit Dates: March 29-April 28 Please Bug Me Reception and Presentation April 19th, 4:30 pm Free and Open to the Public Stay up and Bug out! April 12th, 8:00 - 10:00 pm Free Event Moth Nights Discoveries in the Darkness April 19th, 6:30 pm A Free Educational Presentation Find a quick list of Painters favorite pollinator plants here . Plus more information on supporting pollinators & wildlife can also be found on our Resources Page.

New This Week September 6, 2022 Treat Yourself to a Houseplant Choose from a wide selection of healthy and affordable plants Houseplants are a great way to liven up your space as the days get cooler and winter approaches. Painters Greenhouse has an exciting selection of houseplants and succulents available during our Fall Season in a variety of prices, sizes, and care needs to suit every plant lover. EXCITING NEW PLANTS Polka Dot Angelwing Begonia Crocodile Fern Calathea 'Tigrina' HEALTHY PLANTS GROWN LOCALLY We grow the majority of our houseplants onsite in our Lower Greenhouse and are proud to be able to offer your healthy, affordable, and locally grown houseplants with a smaller carbon footprint. Those not grown by us come from the talented team at Southern Gem Nursery, a wholesale grower less than an hour away. This fall you'll find varieties of Ficus, Monstera, Pothos, Philodendron, Alocasia, and more! Alocasia 'Bambino' Calathea 'Rattlesnake' Looking Glass Begonia Monstera adansonii and Watermelon Begonias A HUGE selection of Begonias Ruby Rubber Trees Mature Ficus Audrey The best looking Anthurium 'Fingers' we've ever seen And so much more! Don't forget to check out our selection of locally made terra cotta pottery from Vine & Frond as well as locally made macrame plant hangers from Line by Line Macrame . Pottery from Vine & Frond Macrame Plant Hangers from Line by Line Macrame

New This Week October 10, 2022 Select Trees & Shrubs Including some of our favorite natives for fall color! NATIVES: Red Maple 'Brandywine' (pictured above) Acer rubrum 'Brandywine' 'Brandywine' is a cross between 'October Glory' and 'Autumn Flame' resulting in a more intense and consistent scarlet fall foliage than any other variety! This variety is also smaller than most maples and makes a great choice for those needing a shade tree on the small side. The current selection of 'Brandywine' at Painters Greenhouse is already over 6 feet tall - this is a great deal! 'Brandywine' does not form samaras and is considered a seedless variety - you won't need to worry about seedlings emerging in your landscape. USDA Growing Zones: 4-8 Height: 35-50' Spread: 25-40' Sun Exposure: Full Sun Soil Preference: Moist, well-drained, acidic soil Redtwig Dogwood (photo: Thespruce.com) Redtwig Dogwood Cornus sericea This native shrub is known mostly for the bright red twigs, which are more apparent in winter months after leaf fall. Commonly found growing in low, wet areas in the wild. This shrub works well in areas where winter interest is needed, along stream banks (helps prevent erosion), and in areas where a natural, bird friendly thicket/hedge is desired. While not necessarily known for showy blooms like its relative the Flowering Dogwood, the shrub does produce tightly packed clusters of white blooms which attract butterflies, and produces small white berries for birds in fall/winter! Tip: If bright stem color is preferred then prune back 20-25% of shrub in early spring to promote new stem growth as this is where the brightest reds occur - some gardeners even prune their red twigs down to ~8" (coppice technique) every 2-3 years to promote new colorful growth. USDA Growing Zones : 3-8 Height: 8-10' Spread: 10' Sun Exposure: full sun to part shade Soil Preference: moist, well-drained, rich soils - tolerant of wet soils, and clay soils Smooth Sumac (Photo: NC State Extension) Smooth Sumac Rhus glabra Here's another native shrub that is bird-friendly and thicket forming! Smooth sumac has a large, irregular, open form and long compound leaves that turn a fiery red in autumn! Female plants produce red, hairy clusters of berries. Growing this shrub is extremely easy for the gardener and rewarding for wildlife! Very tolerant of many soil conditions and is often used for naturalizing on difficult slopes, banks or large areas and can help outcompete unwanted woody vegetation. USDA Growing Zones: 3-9 Height: 10-15' Spread: spreading/colonizing, can eventually spread to a width considerably wider than height Sun Exposure: full sun to part shade Soil Preference: Adaptable and can grow in many types of soil: prefers rich, fertile, well-drained soils, but can adapt to poor soil and drought conditions! 'Winter Red' Winterberry (Photo: Gardenia.net) Winterberry 'Southern Gentleman' + 'Winter Red' Ilex verticillata cultivars Winterberry is a beautiful native deciduous shrub in the holly family! Both varieties currently on sale are Nativars and both are needed to produce the desirable winter berries. 'Southern Gentleman' is a late-blooming male that also pollinates other late-blooming females of Winterberry (i.e. 'Winter Gold', 'Sparkleberry', 'Winter Red', etc.). This shrub works well as a hedge, planted in masses, as a foundation plant or along wet areas (stream banks). The bright red berries cling to the twigs through winter and are a great source of food for birds. Tip: plant one 'Southern Gentleman' for up to 10 'Winter Red' females. Male needs to be planted within 40-50' from females. Many gardeners tuck the non-berry producing male at the back of a planting area. USDA Growing Zones: 6-8 Height: 6-8' Spread: 6-8' Sun Exposure : full sun to part shade Soil Preference: Adaptable to well-draining soils, to clay soils, and even wet soils! Pussy Willow (Photo: Bartonarboretum.org) Pussy Willow Salix discolor A native, deciduous shrub or small tree known for late winter's showy, silky, pearl-blue catkins (resembling a cat's paws, hence the name). Leafless late winter twigs are great in arrangements, as dried cut flowers, or forced in a warm room in a vase of water - a wonderful way to bring the first bursts of spring into your home. Planting a Pussy Willow is a great way to bring benefits to wildlife: native bees feed on pollen and nectar (which is some of the first available in the season!), Mourning Cloak and Viceroy Butterfly larvae feed on the foliage, hummingbirds line their nests with the fuzzy outer bud layer of the catkins, and songbirds feed on all the insects attracted to the willow. Plant Pussy Willow in a moist location, such as a rain garden, along streams, or in slow-draining areas of your yard - note that willows often have aggressive roots to seek out water, so plant far enough away from septic systems, foundations, sidewalks, etc. Tip: Plants can be cut close to the ground every 3-5 years to maintain a smaller shrub shape USDA Growing Zones: 2-7 Height: 6-15' Spread: 4-12' Sun Exposure: Prefers full sun, can tolerate part shade Soil Preference: average, medium to wet, well-drained soils - thrives in moist conditions, but tolerate drier soils better than most willows NON-NATIVES: Lilac Chaste Tree (photo: NC State Extension) Lilac Chaste Tree Vitex agnus-castus Most often grown as a small tree, it can reach up to 20 feet tall and wide, but is often seen growing as a large shrub if it's allowed to grow several trunks. Native to the Mediterranean region, it prefers full sun and can tolerate dry, hot conditions, which makes Vitex a great addition to a xeric garden. Upright clusters of fragrant, lavender blooms in mid-summer attract butterflies. It was first introduced to the South in the late 1600s as an alternative to lilacs, which prefer cooler weather. The leaves are grayish-green and aromatic, which deters deer browsing. Another common name is "Hemp Tree'' due to the similar shaped palmate leaves. Vitex is a fast growing tree and can put on 24" of growth in one growing season. Don't be alarmed if it leafs out later than all your other shrubs and trees - it is one of the last trees to do so. Herbal and medicinal uses pertaining to the male and female reproductive system have been reported in the leaves, seeds, and berries of the tree. USDA Growing Zones: 5-9 Height: 6-10', but can mature to up to 20'! Spread: 5-8' Sun Exposure: full sun Soil Preference: Adaptable - prefers good drainage, but can handle occasionally dry or moist soils Himalayan Honeysuckle Himalayan Honeysuckle Leycesteria formosa A deciduous shrub that is not invasive (despite its common name) and provides a pop of color along a shady edge! This multi-stemmed shrub from Tibet and China provides much interest to wildlife with flowers and fruit. In summer its chartreuse green leaves give way to trailing clusters of white flowers with dark red bracts that attract bees, and every autumn its ripe berries attract many bird species. Bright burgundy leaves in fall - a truly special addition to the landscape, especially in mass plantings! Tip: prune in winter to keep a tidy shape! USDA Growing Zones: 7-10 Height: 4-8' Spread: 4-8' Sun Exposure: full sun to part shade Soil Preference: moist, well-drained Dappled Willow (Photo: Gardenia.net) Dappled Willow Salix integra A deciduous shrub known for its striking pink stems and mottled foliage with white, green and pink highlights. Young foliage is highly ornamental and brightly colored - the rounded shrub looks like it's glowing in spring! Tolerant of damp conditions, use along water features, streams, ponds, or in mass plantings as a hedge/border. Can be trained to be a small tree. Most gardeners prune heavily in late winter/early spring to encourage vigorous growth and promote colorful foliage. USDA Growing Zones: 5-7 Height : 4-6' - often pruned to maintain size Spread: 5-7' - often pruned to maintain size Sun Exposure: prefers full sun, afternoon shade is welcome in hot summer areas Soil Preference: performs best in fertile, moist, well-drained soilsTree & shrub markdowns VIEW CURRENT TREE & SHRUB AVAILABILITY

New This Week January 8, 2023 Buttonbush 2023 NC Wildflower of the Year The NC Botanical Garden is celebrating Buttonbush this year! In 2023, The North Carolina Botanical Garden is celebrating buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), a large deciduous shrub that occurs throughout central and eastern North America in swamps, depressional wetlands, and along the banks of streams, rivers, and lakes. In mid to late summer, buttonbush explodes with small, fragrant white flowers with long protruding styles that are densely arranged in spherical clusters, resembling little pincushions or fireworks. Buttonbush is also truly a pollinator magnet! Learn more about this native shrub by clicking below. https://ncbg.unc.edu/2023/01/04/2023-wildflower-of-the-year/

EDIBLES We offer a broad selection of vegetables, herbs, fruiting shrubs, and fruiting trees. You will find heirloom varieties as well as those bred for disease resistance, container gardening, and more. Each year we grow both classic and unique cultivars, focusing on varieties that are proven to grow well in our climate. Our herb selection, full of unusual varieties, is especially celebrated, particularly during our annual spring Herb Fest. We are committed to locate and purchase only non-GMO vegetable and herb varieties. In the rare case of pest or disease outbreaks on edibles, we use only organic-safe treatments. SEE AVAILABILITY LISTS Resources Fruit Tree Pollination Guide Blueberry Pollination Guide Guide to Cool Season Veggies at Painters Vegetable Gardening 101 Growing Edibles in Small Spaces 2024 Perennial Edibles 2024 Vegetables and Herbs The following lists are complete growing lists for 2024. Because Painters makes them available at maturity and according to seasonal planting readiness, not all items will be available at the same time. Sign up for our newsletter and/or follow social media to receive weekly updates. 2024 Perennial Edibles Scientific Name Name Variety Notes Self-Fruitful Malus domestica Apple Stayman amazing flavor & texture, produces until frost Malus domestica Apple Mutsu large fruit, complex and unique flavor Malus domestica Apple Fuji crisp & juicy texture, great for applesauce Malus domestica Apple Cortland Improved version of red McIntosh, sweeter Malus domestica Apple Honeycrisp very crisp and sweet, large fruit Malus domestica Apple Gala sweet and popular, keeps well Malus domestica Apple Jonagold Cross of Jonathan and Golden Delicious, tasty fruit Malus domestica Apple Pink Lady tart yet sweet, very popular flavor Malus domestica Apple Red Delicious disease resistant, high yielding, pollinates many others Diospyros kaki Asian Persimmon Hana Fuyu Non-astringent, very large fruit, but ***only hardy to zone 7*** Self Fruitful Asparagus officinalis Asparagus Sweet Purple sweeter than green varieties, large spears, wait 2 years to harvest Self Fruitful Asparagus officinalis Asparagus Purple Passion sweeter than green varieties, large spears, wait 2 years to harvest Self Fruitful Asparagus officinalis Asparagus (Male) Jersey Giant very large spears, very high yields, wait 2 years to harvest Self Fruitful Rubus fruticosus Blackberry, Thornless Chester most winter-hardy of thornless varieties, tolerates heat/humidity, sweet fruit Self Fruitful Rubus hybrid Blackberry, Thornless Triple Crown large, firm and sweet berries, thornless and fast growing Self Fruitful Vaccinium hybrid Blueberry, Northern Highbush Chandler exceptionally large sweet berries, mid season & very long harvest Vaccinium hybrid Blueberry, Northern Highbush Duke leading early cultivar, high yeild & tasty berries, pretty fall foliage Vaccinium hybrid Blueberry, Northern Highbush Blueray handles both cold winters & hot summers, very large sweet midseason berries Vaccinium hybrid Blueberry, Northern Highbush Bluegold heavy crops, excellent flavor, compact habit, midseason Vaccinium hybrid Blueberry, Northern Highbush Bluecrop high yields of sweet fruit midsummer Vaccinium hybrid Blueberry, Northern Highbush Patriot more spreading habit can be good for containers, mildly sweet berries Vaccinium hybrid Blueberry, Rabbiteye Climax heat resistant, high yielding, sweet & lightly spicy fruit Vaccinium hybrid Blueberry, Rabbiteye Premier large and flavorful berries mid to late spring Vaccinium hybrid Blueberry, Southern Highbush Misty popular ornamental variety, high yields of sweet berries early season Vaccinium hybrid Blueberry, Southern Highbush Pink Lemonade sweet pink fruit, pretty fall color, midseason fruit Vaccinium hybrid Blueberry, Southern Highbush Sunshine Blue very attractive and tasty, midseason fruit (crosses w/most bbs) Prunus avium Cherry 'Bing' ***difficult to grow in warm climates (z5-7)***, needs another sweet cherry Malus Crabapple Toringo good pollinator for other apples, good for preserves Sambucus canadensis Elderberry Bob Gordon pretty blooms, larger & sweeter berries, needs another type for good production Sambucus canadensis Elderberry Ranch pretty blooms, prolific berries, needs another type for best production Ficus carica Fig Brown Turkey & Chicago Hardy are hardiest, often dies back to ground Self Fruitful Lycium barbarum Goji Berry easy to grow, prolific Self Fruitful Vitis vinifera Grape, Green/White, seedless Marquis very productive, great flavor & very juicy, great fresh or preserved Self Fruitful Vitis labrusca Grape, blue-black, seedless Concord one of best blue-black grapes, good for preserves & juice Self Fruitful Actinidia arguta Hardy Kiwi Prolific Self fertile, small fruits, takes several years to produce Self Fruitful Armoracia rusticana Horseradish Czech easy to grow, harvest in 1 yr & leave part of root so it is perennial Self Fruitful Morus Mulberry Everbearing ***cold sensitive (zone 7)***, dwarf works well in containers, prolific Self Fruitful Passiflora incarnata Passionflower Vine Typically available in fall season (hard to overwinter in pots, but once established in garden, almost invasive & very prolific Self Fruitful Asimina triloba Paw Paw beautiful native tree, unique blooms, needs a different cultivar/plant 3 ss Prunus persica Peach Contender more cold hardy than many, very disease resistant Self Fruitful Prunus persica Peach Redhaven great flavor, vigorous, disease resistant Self Fruitful Prunus persica Peach Redskin good for areas w/late frost dates but not too hot (z5-8), fast growing Self Fruitful Pyrus communis Pear Kieffer flavorful, heavy yields, tolerates drought & flood, plant another pear for best production Pyrus communis Pear Ayers aka sugar pear, very sweet fruit, more production w/another pear Pyrus Pear, Asian Shinseiki pretty, fragrant blooms in spring, heavy fruiting, pollinate w/any other pear Pyrus Pear, Asian Shinko sweet, juicy and very crisp, apple shaped fruit, pollinate w/any other pear Prunus salicina Plum Methley great vigor & production, beauiful spring blooms Self Fruitful Prunus salicina Plum Santa Rosa sweet, firm fruit, beautiful habit and spring blooms Self Fruitful Rubus x Raspberry Royalty purple when ripe, sweet, very productive & pest resistant Self Fruitful Rubus idaeus var. strigosus Raspberry Fall Gold large, sweet-tart yellow berries in spring & fall, thorned canes Self Fruitful Rheum rhabarbarum Rhubarb Victoria thick and very red stalks, not stringy or tough, wait 2 years for harvest Self Fruitful Aronia x grandiflora Serviceberry Autumn Brilliance Sometimes also have ss Downy & Shadblow… Downy has best fruit next to Saskatoon (native to northwest, wants cooler weather) Self Fruitful Fragaria x ananassa Strawberry, Everbearing Quinault Best flavor, but do not hold well - eat right away Self Fruitful Fragaria x ananassa Strawberry, June Bearing Chandler Last longer after picking, and production through spring into summer Self Fruitful 2024 Perennial Edibles 2024 Vegetables and Herbs Anise Hyssop Arugula, Speedy Basil, African Blue Basil, Cinnamon Basil, Everleaf Genovese Basil, Holy Basil, Holy - Red and Green Basil, Lemon Basil, Pesto Perpetuo Basil, Purple Ruffles Basil, Red Ruben Basil, Sweet Basil, Sweet Large Leaf Italian Basil, Thai Siam Queen Basil. Lettuce Leaf Tuscany Borage Broccoli, Imperial Brussels Sprout, Jade Cross Cabbage, China Express Cabbage, Ruby Perfection Cabbage, Savoy Ace Cabbage, Stone Head Calendula Catnip Cauliflower, Snow Crown Cauliflower, Veronica-Romanesco Chamomile, German/Common Chives, Common Chives, Garlic Cilantro, Santo Collards, Flash Cucumber, H-19 Little Leaf (Pickling) Cucumber, Marketmore 76 (Slicer) Curry Plant Cutting Celery Dill, Fernleaf Dill, Superdukat Echinacea angustifolia Eggplant, Black Beauty Eggplant, Millionaire Eucalyptus, Baby Blue Bouquet Fennel, Bronze Feverfew French Tarragon Germander, Upright (Teucrium chamaedrys) Jewels of Opar Kale, Beira Kale, Red Russian Kale, Toscano Kale, Winterbor Kohlrabi, Kossak Lavender, Phenomenal Lavender, Superblue Lavender, Vera (Lavandula angustifolia) Leek, King Richard Lemon Balm Lemon Grass, East Indian Lemon Verbena Lettuce, Buttercrunch Lettuce, Leaf Dark Red Lollo Rossa Lettuce, Leaf Encore Mix Lettuce, Leaf Salad Bowl Green Lettuce, Romaine Parris Island Lovage Marjoram, Sweet Melon, Cantaloupe 'Sarah's Choice' Mexican Mint Marigold Mexican Oregano Mint, Apple Mint Mint, Berries and Cream Mint, Curly Mint Mint, Eastern Desert Mint Mint, Mojito Mint Mint, Orange Mint Mint, Peppermint Mint, Spearmint Mint, Strawberry Mint Mustard Mix, America Mizuna Nasturtium, Dwf Jewel Mix Okra, Clemson Spineless Onion, White Lisbon Bunching Pak Choi, Joi Choi Parsley, Flat Leaf Italian Parsley, Moss Curled Patchouli Pepper, Anaheim Pepper, California Wonder Pepper, Ghost Pepper, Giant Marconi Pepper, Golden California Wonder Pepper, Habanero Red Pepper, Hungarian Hot Wax Pepper, Jalapeno Pepper, Keystone Red Giant Pepper, Lunchbox Mix Pepper, Orange Bell Pepper, Poblano Pepper, Purple Beauty Pepper, Red Cayenne Long Slim Pepper, Scotch Bonnet Red Pepper, Serrano Pepper, Shishito Pepper, Sweet Banana Pepper, Tobasco Pumpkin, New England Pie Pumpkin, Spookie Rosemary, Arp Rosemary, Hills Hardy Sage, Bergartten Sage, Garden Grey Sage, Pineapple Sage, Purple Sage, Tricolor Salad Burnet Salvia, Pineapple Sage Santolina, Grey Lavender Cotton Savory, Summer Savory, Winter Spinach, Savoy Bloomsdale Stevia Summer Squash, Black Zucchini Summer Squash, Early Summer Crookneck Summer Squash, Scallop Early White Bush Swiss Chard, Bright Lights Tarragon, French Thyme, English (Thymus vulgaris) Thyme, Hi-Ho Silver (Thymus argentea) Thyme, Magic Carpet (Thymus serpyllum) Thyme, Pink Chintz (Thymus serpyllum) Tomatillo, Super Verde Tomato, Amish Paste Tomato, Better Boy Tomato, Big Beef Tomato, Boxcar Willie Tomato, Brandywine Red Tomato, Celebrity Plus Tomato, Cherokee Purple Tomato, Dancing with Smurfs Tomato, Early Girl Tomato, German Johnson Pink Tomato, Juliet Tomato, Lemon Boy Tomato, Mortgage Lifter Tomato, Pineapple Tomato, Roma Plum Tomato, Sungold Tomato, Sweet Million Tomato, Yellow Pear Valerian, Common Watermelon, Sugar Baby 2024 Vegetables and Herbs