Great Plant Places

I am from the Piedmont of North Carolina, so I will list some places there first. All of these places are run by really nice people. I have been pleased by my past purchases from them and can recommend them with confidence.

• Tony Avent's Plant Delights This well-known mail order nursery carries nice stuff that appeals to all tastes. I especially like it for unusual aroids, amaryllids and off-beat perennials. The nursery is not far south of Raleigh. The public is invited for several open houses a year. The catalogue is a reflection of Tony Avent's wonderfully crusty sense of humor. The covers are guaranteed to offend and delight!
• Singing Spring Nursery This is a very small operation in the countryside outside of Chapel Hill. Look to it for unusual perennials and cool subtropical plants. Many of their offerings are hardy here in the Piedmont.
• Niche Gardens Niche offers tough perennials that grow well here in the Piedmont. My parents order quite a bit of stuff from them; they live in Ann Arbor, MI. The outdoor art displays at the nursery are very nice. The staff is knowledgable and friendly.
• Camellia ForestThe Piedmont is Camellia country. There is a wonderful selection of Camellias here. The bumpy ride to the nursery adds to the fun.
• Green Hill Farm This nursery is ensconced in the green hills just north of Chapel Hill. They carry a nice variety of big robust hosta divisions, as well as other perennials. They have a big sale around Memorial Day.
• The Unique Plant This nursery is not in the internet, but it is worth a visit for unusal trees and perennials. It is just north of Chapel Hill on 4207 Oak Hill Road. They carry Japanese Maples, Stewartias, and other interesting trees and bushes. They also have a small selection of nice perennials. Two of their Stewartias are growing in my yard.
• Architectural Trees This is one of the best places in the Piedmont for unusual trees and shrubs. Their stuff is really beautiful, and much of it is raised on-site. If you are interested in dwarf and weeping forms of trees, this is a great place to visit.