Our Journey

Carolina Native Nursery was founded in 2003 by Bill Jones with a simple but important mission: to grow native plants that support healthy ecosystems. What began as a vision to cultivate regionally appropriate plants has grown into one of the largest native plant nurseries in the region.

Located in Burnsville, North Carolina, in the Southern Appalachian Mountains just north of Asheville, the nursery now spans 18 acres and cultivates hundreds of species of native shrubs, perennials, ferns, and grasses. From the beginning, Carolina Native Nursery has focused on growing plants that are naturally adapted to the landscapes of the Eastern United States.

Among the nursery’s specialties are indigenous Rhododendrons, native Azaleas, and Mountain Laurels—plants that play an important role in the local ecosystems. By growing these plants, the nursery helps preserve the genetic diversity and regional resilience that make native species so valuable in the landscape.

Over the years, Carolina Native Nursery has become a trusted source for native plants used in gardens and restoration projects throughout the Eastern United States. Our plants can be found in renowned locations such as the Biltmore Estate, Central Park, the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and Monticello, as well as in countless public and private landscapes from Atlanta to Maine.

Today, the nursery continues to be guided by a team of native plant enthusiasts dedicated to growing plants that strengthen ecosystems, support pollinators and wildlife.