JC Raulston Arboretum Choice Plants

Plants for a Better World from the JC Raulston Arboretum

Choice Plants are superior selections for the Southeast and the Mid-Atlantic from the JC Raulston Arboretum landscape trials.

That’s right! Plants grown by local horticulturalists and tested right in our environment.

Did you know?

A portion of the proceeds from each plant purchased from Garden Supply Company with the Choice Plants tag goes back to the JC Raulston Arboretum Choice Plants program! In an effort to work together with our local community, a $1.00 contribution is made!

Visit our gardens to shop for local and Choice Plants 7-days a week!

Plant inventory and Choice Plants specimen availability may change. Learn more about the Choice Plants program with JC Raulston Aboretum here.

Birds of a Feather Flock Together

“If you’re a bird, I’m a bird.”

— The Notebook

Birds in Store at Garden Supply Co.

It’s no wonder folks of all ages continue to incorporate birds into their lives. Bird-watching, ornithology (the scientific study of birds) and conservancy are popular pastimes and a way of life for lots of people around North Carolina. Together with your November outdoor maintenance and transitional holiday decor, think, “What about the birds?”

Garden Supply Co. has unique, hand-crafted bird houses and bird feeders in several designs and for all types of native North Carolina birds. Finches, woodpeckers, wrens, chickadees and nuthatches are just a few of the most beloved birds, aside from the always-attractive cardinal, who need homes this winter. Our gardeners are here to speak with you about the types of birds you intend to invite to your yard. If you enjoy bird-watching, welcome your favorite birds home and install a bird house today!

Feeding your feathered friends will keep them coming back. Appeal to particular birds in our Cary area and shop our selection of specialty seed for finches, cardinals, woodpeckers and more. Keep the squirrels away with the ‘Hot Meats,’ by Coles. This blend is designed to get you more birds and less squirrels. Red bellied and red headed woodpeckers, both of whom have red heads, by the way, will thank you for refilling your suet. Garden Supply Co. has a variety of fruity, nutty suet combinations. Dried mealworms are the perfect high-protein fuel your backyard birds need to hunker down all winter. Find the best price around on All Natural Black Oil Sunflower bird seed, a preferred seed for all birds!

Are you missing the hummingbirds already? Hang one in your tree, display one on your mantle or tuck one in your garland. Create a festive, feathery theme this holiday season and watch the birds from inside the comfort of your home. Advance your table setting with a handsome cardinal serving platter or assemble your centerpiece from our assortment of playful picks and sprays. Owls, cardinals and other enchanted, feathery creatures are hung with care all around our boutique. Ask our design specialists for the most up-to-date inventory, as some of these items are one-of-a-kind! Fly in today and see what’s in store!

Guide to planting and maintaining fescue grass!

Cool-season, turf-like fescue grass is perfect for northerners and homeowners living in harsh, dry climates. It is strong, resistant to groups of fast-spreading weeds, and surprisingly self-sufficient. Also, if you have active children or pets at home, you, too, could benefit from applying a sample patch of fescue grass to your yard. Here is how you can grow and maintain it.

Start by planting the seeds late spring or early fall (fall is the best choice). Before seeding, be sure all weeds surrounding your planting area are cleared out and till the area approximately six inches deep. Also, rake the area and remove any large rocks or old piles of sod. Depending on the intensity and duration of the seasons surrounding your living environment, some people will need to start the seeding process earlier than others. Once soil temperatures reach the low-to-mid 60s (Fahrenheit), you will likely see good results.

Remember, over-seeding is required when working with this type of grass. People generally over seed in October to help the grass recover from the times the grass suffered against the humidity and frequent showers during the summer. Beyond that, mow the grass between 2-3 inches every few months and leave the clippings on the ground. The clippings act as an additional layer of fertilizer.

Fescue grass requires consistent maintenance in the summer, which won't work well for everyone. If you are willing to put the work in, your grass will stand strong through the duration of Winter. You will no longer feel stressed about a lawn that looks like a leaking brown slushy once spring arrives.

For more information on the fescue grass seeding process or assistance with locating equipment, stop in, and a store associate will help you!

Clever Halloween decorations for your garden and home!

With Halloween quickly approaching, now is a great time to start repairing and redecorating the exterior of your home and transform your garden into a mysterious, ominous hotspot to attract nearby family and friends. We want you to take pride in creating a fun, festive garden scene that everyone can appreciate. 

If you find yourself struggling to come up with creative Halloween decorations, considering using the decoration ideas below as a guide - then, add in a unique twist.

Seasonal candles

While Fall arrives in different stages (some later than others), you can produce similar scents inside your home whenever you want. How, you might ask? Absorb a whiff of some of our best seasonal candles. Our well-lit, sensational candles can instantly improve the look and feel of your home.

Pumpkin and Pinecone Wreaths

Season wreaths comprised of pinecones and pumpkins are a clever way to light up the night while also adding flavor and texture to your property. Visitors coming from all different directions with stop and admire the beauty of these wreaths. They are affordable, customizable and easy to care for. In need of supplies? Look no further than stop by today!

Witch decorations

Within our fall selection, you will find notice a group of inspiring Halloween decorations, which includes a frog-like witch decoration (as seen on our Instagram page). The witches are a perfect complement to your setup. They are relatively light, easy to store and sturdy.

Pumpkin Planter

Pumpkin planters make wonderful porch decorations. They are easy to build and fun to design. We supply fresh pumpkins and healthy plants, which will help you piece together the project in minutes.

Plan a visit with us and we will be happy to give you a tour of our purchasable holiday decorations or offer some feedback on your experimental ideas.

Four Garden Tasks for the Month of October

Record-breaking temperatures are on their way out of North Carolina (for now), which paves the way for a much needed cold front and patches of rainstorms to clean up our gardens. If you benefit from living in a frost-free state, October is a great time to plant some cool-weather crops and vegetables and repair any dried out areas of your garden. To sustain a healthy garden through the fall and winter months, we recommend you complete the following five tasks.

1) Divide your perennials

Most species of perennials benefit from enduring a division every couple of years. Like other fast-growing plants, perennials can quickly expand and overcrowd your garden while slowing dying from the inside out. If you have Oriental lilies, hostas, peonies, daylilies, bearded irises, or Oriental poppies planted in your garden, closely monitor their growth patterns. Dividing perennials is easy. Grab a sharp spade and dig around the plant until you are safely able to lift it out of the ground. Then, cut the plant up into smaller pieces. Lastly, plant the new, smaller pieces at the previous depth. 

2) Replenish your mulch inventory

Now is an excellent time to spread an extra layer of mulch around your garden. Tightly pack a pile of mulch around each plant to protect it from freeze and thaw cycles. A 4-to 6-inch layer of shredded leaves, bark, or straw is plenty. For garden items planted less than a year ago, avoid trapping the trunk with too much mulch.

3) Start a compost pile

Have you ever created a compost pile? If not, it is never too late to start. All those long hours of pulling weeds (and maybe a back muscle or two), raking up fallen leaves and discarding of kitchen waste doesn't have to go to waste. Those garden chores do serve a greater purpose.  During some downtime over the weekend, collect and compile a mound of available leaves, dead weeds and kitchen waste, which can later create a nutrient-rich soil amendment. If space isn't available, consider investing in a compost bin.

4) Plant some vegetables

Gardening is loads of fun when you get to eat your creations. In October, you can experiment in your garden by planting the following edible items: cabbage, collards, lettuce, carrots, mustard cauliflower, beets, and garlic.

Easy to Grow Garden Fruits

Gardening is extremely rewarding when you get to taste your creations. For those looking into gardening healthy foods, soft fruits are a solid starting point. Some gardeners like to start with berries and work their way up to larger, sweeter fruits. Beginners wishing to work with smaller berries can start with small containers before transitioning to full-size fruit trees.

So, are you ready to put down those weeds and start growing your food?

Let's get straight to it! 

1) Strawberries

Strawberries offer flexibility when it comes to usage and durability. They fit in well with a variety of seasonal dishes and maintain their flavor all year long. A strawberry's ability to thrive in both indoor and outdoor environments make it a fan favorite. They only need to be planted once and are easily movable when frost hits the ground. Ever bearing strawberries are popular because gardeners can get two harvests a year (June and late August/early September).

2) Pineapple

Pineapples are surprisingly easy to grow when planted properly. When ready, cut the crown off of a pineapple. Next, soak it in water for a day or two. Lastly, place the pineapple in a  gallon-sized container and place it under direct sunlight. It is that simple! Let it soak up the sun's rays and within no time, you will have yourself a delicious pineapple.

3) Tomatoes 

Shocking twist, I know. But yes, Tomatoes are considered a fruit. Like other small berries, tomatoes are often raised in a container. Tomatoes need more room to grow because they expand quickly and need a strong foundation to support their weight.

4)  Watermelons

Watermelons can grow outdoors or in a large container. Some people prefer to use a container because the vine often has a mind of its own. A vine left unmanaged can spiral out of control and wrap around other plants. If you are considering growing watermelons, keep in mind, they need a lot of water and direct access to sunlight to grow. Artificial sunlight or a comfortable living space next to a window will suffice.