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OUR RESOURCES

AN OPEN DICTIONARY WITH A PLANT COMING OUT FROM THE PAGES

MUTUALISM

WORD OF THE WEEK

​Mutualism is a symbiotic relationship where two species benefit from each other in a close and prolonged association. It can occur between species of the same or different species. For example, pollinators and flowers engage in mutualism where bees obtain nectar for food and flowers benefit from pollination.

Recommended Resources

Tree & Shrubs Planting Guidelines

A Painters Greenhouse handout covering the basics of how to plant shrubs and trees as well as our plant guarantee for such items.

Riparian Plants for Stream Bank Stabilization

A NC State Extension document on choosing the right plants for stream banks.

Native Plants for Firewise Landscaping

A Painters Greenhouse document listing Low Flammability Native Plants for use with Firewise Landscaping. Updated 2025.

Deer Resistant Plants

A Painters Greenhouse most often requested list! From plants that deer generally resist to plants that deer LOVE. Check it out if you have these furry neighbors!

Fruit Tree Pollination Guide

A Painters Greenhouse fruit tree pollination reference chart for our Fall 2024 Season.

Houseplant Pest ID & Treatment

Great visual guide to diseases on indoor plants.

Native Plants Database

Search for over 25,198 native plants by scientific or common name or family of plant in this database from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center with photos.

NC Native Plant Society Plant Gallery

NC gallery of plants, including some common roadside plants--some native, some alien (or exotic). Many of the alien plants are invasive and merit attention to avoid planting.

Native Pollinator Plants by Season

Extended list of forage and host plants for bees, butterflies, and moths.

Bee City USA

Click to join the cities and campuses across the country rallying to protect pollinators and create positive change.

Edible Landscaping

Don't hide the vegetable garden! Edible landscaping offers an alternative to conventional residential landscapes by incorporating edible components.

The Many Benefits of Herbs

Want to repel mosquitos naturally? Interested in making your own herbals tea? Want to learn about the medicinal benefits of some common herbs? Check out this Painters handout.

Gardening in a Drought

Gardening guide with water conservation in mind, including ideas for low-maintenance plantings, easy ways to set up automatic watering, and saving water on your lawns.

Backyard Composting

In depth composting handout from the NC Cooperative Extension Service.

Evergreen Shrubs & Trees for Privacy Screens, Wind, & Sound barriers

Tips on planting, speedy screening, and plants for sun and shade from Painters.

Backyard Streambank Repair

A powerpoint from NC State Extension on plant recommendations (including live stake installation) for streamside forests, vegetated areas,
and riparian buffers.

Firewise Landscaping in North Carolina

Check out this Firewise Landscaping handout from NC State Extension covering plant choice, plant maintenance, and plant placement.

Keystone Plants for WNC

A National Wildlife Federation list of Top Keystone Plant Genera in Eastern Temperate Forests - Ecoregion 8

Spring and Fall Freeze Dates in NC

Find the average last spring freeze date or first average fall freeze for your neck of the woods!

Creating your Pollinator Garden

NC Botanical Garden's basic steps to ensure a wonderful garden for both you and native pollinators.

Harmful Ornamentals & Alternative Options

NC Native Plant Society list of alternatives to invasive and harmful ornamental plants that are still sold in NC.

Favorite Native Ferns for NC Gardens

NC Native Plant Society's compilation of favorite native ferns!

Native Pollinator Plants for NC

Explore North Carolina's top 25 native pollinator plants.

Bird Friendly Native Plants

Audubon society's 700 Bird-Friendly Native Plants for North Carolina

Vegetable Gardening Handout

Everything you need to know to plan your vegetable garden. Including where and how and when to plant, companion plants, harvest times, and more!

Pest Identification and Treatment

Struggling with garden pests? Check out this helpful handout from Painters Greenhouse.

Guide to a Bird-Friendly Backyard

Information on supporting native birds and creating habitat corridors for them. Be part of the movement by growing native plants in your yard!

Native Plants Suitable for Streambank Restoration

A Painters Greenhouse guide to help with your restoration projects. Plants available at Painters 2025

Plants for Erosion Control

A Painters Greenhouse list featuring plants that can naturalize small areas by suckering roots; plants that have a tendency to spread by self-sowing; and those that have deep fibrous roots that hold banks.

Ideal Plants for a Honeybee Pasture

Listed by first bloom time for McDowell County, NC and how much pollen or nectar the plant produces.

Blueberry Pollination & Growing Guide

A Painters quick guide to growing and choosing your best blueberry variety.

NC State Extension Resources

The Gardening Portal at NC State University provides access to a wealth of information, events, and resources for gardeners in North Carolina.

Nest Sites and Overwintering Habitat

Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation's handout on nesting and overwintering habitat for pollinators and other beneficial insects.

Native Groundcovers of NC

Planting needs, bloom time, and additional notes from NC Native Plant Society

Soil Calculator

Try this to calculate the soil needed to fill your raised beds or planters.

NC Native Plants by Season and Color

NC Native Plant Society's list of perennial plants that all attract pollinators, provide a food source, and are available commercially.

Support Monarch Butterflies

Monarchs require milkweed during all stages of their life cycle. Learn what other plants help support this endangered pollinator.

Edibles in Small Spaces

Painters Greenhouse guide to growing edibles in raised beds and containers.

Guide to Mulching

Reduce weed problems and watering needs by learning to mulch properly.

Worms Can Recycle Your Garbage

Step-by-step directions on how to use worms for composting, creating an improved fertilizer and soil amendment that can even deter pests. From the NC State Extension.

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