Rumble: What all do you offer at Smokey Park Nursery? 

Derek: We are looking to be your neighborhood one-stop-shop for all your landscape needs. We’ll be carrying products for every season. In the spring we’ll have everything from bedding flowers to full landscape design packages. In the fall we’ll have mums and your winter flowers like pansies and viola. We will also have a huge Christmas sale to get your Christmas trees, wreaths, and decorations. We can also take special orders. If there is something that someone needs in bulk or small orders, we can provide.

Rumble: What are some tips and tricks for folks to keep their lawns and gardens healthy during the heat of summer? 

Derek: Summer is a tricky time for landscaping in the mountains. Some years we have plenty of rain and it doesn't get crazy hot, and some years it won't rain for a month and stays in the 90s. If it's a dry year, the best thing I can tell you is water, water, and more water. If you're going to be away for a long period of time mid-summer, do your best to acquire a landscape babysitter to keep an eye on weed control and watering. Also, people can use more heat resistant plants like succulents. 

Rumble: What have been popular plants, vegetables and other items this spring season? 

Derek: This spring has been interesting. A lot more people are at home doing projects and growing their own vegetables, so the demand for many items has increased. Hot items have been things like lavender, basil, and just about all vegetables. When it comes to landscaping, dogwoods and redbud trees have been big. Bedding flowers like petunias and marigolds are doing well. 

Rumble: What are a few suggested items people can plant right now?

Derek: As spring continues, now is the time to really make your homes have some liveliness or color. Flowers like zinnias, gerber daisies, dahlias and celosia are a wonderful way to bring a lot of curb appeal. Moving into summer is the time to take on larger projects like landscape design.  We offer free design advice and can put together landscape packages for our customers.  

Rumble: Is there anything else you’d like your customers to know? 

Derek: Smokey Park Nursery strives to give each one of our customers the attention they deserve. No matter the size of the project, we are here to help. We are family owned and operated. Please let us know if we can help with anything at all. 

Smokey Park Nursery is located at 2518 Smokey Park Highway in Candler, N.C. Learn more about all they offer by visiting their website or Facebook.