Carolina Native Nursery
Carolina Native Nursery is a Burnsville, NC-based specialty grower of over 200 native plant species—including azaleas, rhododendrons, and perennials—serving wholesale landscape professionals and garden centers across the eastern U.S. and retail customers through its Bee Native Plant Shop.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2003
- HeadquartersBurnsville, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Carolina Native Nursery does
Carolina Native Nursery is a specialty native plant nursery founded in 2003 by Bill Jones, operating on an 18-acre site in Burnsville, North Carolina. The company propagates and sells more than 200 native species and cultivars, with documented expertise in seed-based propagation of native azaleas, rhododendrons, and Mountain Laurels—techniques that produce genetically diverse, regionally hardy stock uncommon in the wholesale trade. Its product line spans native shrubs, perennials, ferns, grasses, and understory trees, supplemented by contract grow programs for volume buyers and landscape design services for residential and commercial clients.
The business operates through two complementary channels. The wholesale arm supplies landscape professionals, landscape architects, and garden centers across the eastern U.S. (Atlanta to Maine) via account-based direct sales and presence at three major industry trade shows (MANTS, Green & Growin', and New England Grows). The retail arm, branded Bee Native Plant Shop, serves individual homeowners at the Burnsville location with weekday hours plus Saturday operations during the April–October planting season, curbside pick-up, and a referral program. Marketing is primarily content-driven, anchored by a 6,800+ subscriber monthly newsletter, an educational blog, and partnerships with conservation organizations including the North Carolina Arboretum, Bee City USA Asheville, and Garden for Wildlife.
The company is privately held and bootstrapped with 1-10 employees and no external institutional capital. In September 2024, Hurricane Helene caused catastrophic damage, destroying an estimated 90% of inventory—approximately 100,000 azalea starts, 50,000 one-gallon plants, and 25,000 three-gallon plants—at a replacement value of roughly $2 million. Recovery has been community-supported through volunteer labor and a GoFundMe campaign that raised over $100,000, and the company remains operational with active rebuild, hiring, and 2025 trade show participation.
Carolina Native Nursery firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Carolina Native Nursery
- Legal name
- Carolina Native Nursery
- Website
- https://carolinanativenursery.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2003
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Carolina Native Nursery is a Burnsville, NC-based specialty grower of over 200 native plant species—including azaleas, rhododendrons, and perennials—serving wholesale landscape professionals and garden centers across the eastern U.S. and retail customers through its Bee Native Plant Shop.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Carolina Native Nursery industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Native Plant Nursery
- NAICS
- Nursery and Tree Production (111421), Nursery and Floriculture Production (11142), Nursery, Garden Center, and Farm Supply Retailers (444240), Landscaping Services (56173)
- SIC
- Agricultural Production-Crops (100), Retail-Building Materials, Hardware, Garden Supply (5200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Nursery Production (Woody Ornamentals: Trees, Shrubs, Roses) (AFAGAHAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Plants, Seeds & Nursery Retail (Garden Centers) (CRAIAIAB), Potted Flowering Plants & Bedding Plants Production (Annuals, Perennials, Plugs) (AFAGAHAE), Plant Replacement, Transplanting & Garden Refresh Services (HSAIAFAG)
Keywords
Where Carolina Native Nursery is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Burnsville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Carolina Native Nursery business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Wholesale Plant Sales: Wholesale nursery supplying native plants to landscape professionals, garden centers, and other nurseries throughout the eastern U.S. Accounts can be created online with access to current availability and wholesale pricing.
- Retail Plant Shop: Direct retail sales through Bee Native Plant Shop to individual consumers and homeowners. Curbside pick-up and in-person shopping available.
- Landscape Design Services: Carolina Native offers landscape design services for home and business clients, focusing on combining locally grown native ferns, perennials, shrubs, and trees with locally sourced materials.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Wholesale pricing for landscape professionals and garden centers |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Carolina Native Nursery product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Carolina Native Nursery grows and sells regionally adapted native plants—including native azaleas, native rhododendrons, Mt. Laurels, shrubs, perennials, ferns, and grasses—on an 18-acre facility in Burnsville, NC. Distribution combines a wholesale program (serving landscape professionals and garden centers across the eastern U.S.) with a retail storefront (Bee Native Plant Shop) serving homeowners. The company also provides Landscape Design Services and Contract Grow Programs for projects requiring specific plant volumes or varieties.
Product overview
Carolina Native Nursery is a specialty grower of native plants operating on 18 acres in Burnsville, North Carolina. The company operates through two main channels: the Bee Native Plant Shop (retail) and Wholesale Native Plants (B2B). Their product portfolio centers on native azaleas, native rhododendrons, native shrubs, native perennials, ferns, and grasses—with over 200 different species with many cultivars currently in production. Their specialty is Native Azaleas, Rhododendrons, and Mountain Laurels. The company also offers Landscape Design Services as an add-on and Contract Grow Programs for volume buyers. Both retail and wholesale clients are served, with wholesale operations running Monday-Friday 8:30-5:00 and the retail shop open Monday-Friday 9:00-5:00 plus Saturdays during planting season.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Bee Native Plant Shop: Retail plant shop operated by Carolina Native Nursery for retail customers
Products and services
- Bee Native Plant Shop Retail storefront at the Burnsville, NC nursery offering the region's most complete selection of native shrubs, perennials, ferns, and understory trees, staffed with knowledgeable plant assistance. Open Monday-Friday 9:00-5:00 and Saturdays during planting season (APR-OCT), with curbside pick-up available. Targets individual homeowners and native plant enthusiasts.
- Wholesale Native Plants Wholesale distribution of native azaleas, rhododendrons, shrubs, perennials, ferns, and grasses to landscape professionals, garden centers, and other nurseries throughout the eastern U.S. Accounts are created online, with access to current availability and wholesale pricing after approval.
- Native Azaleas Specialty native azalea collection including multiple species and cultivars. Grown from seed rather than cutting propagation, providing genetic diversity and hardier plants for landscape use. Targeted at landscape professionals and discriminating home gardeners.
- Native Rhododendrons Native rhododendron varieties including evergreen rhododendrons, with spectacular blooms and lush foliage adapted to regional environments. Sold through both wholesale and retail channels.
- Native Perennials, Ferns, and Grasses Wide selection of native perennials, ferns, and grasses for various landscape applications including meadows, woodlands, and rain gardens. Distributed through both wholesale and retail channels.
- Landscape Design Services Landscape design services for homes and businesses that combine locally grown native ferns, perennials, shrubs, and trees with locally sourced materials to create functional, ecologically supportive landscapes that blend into the natural environment. Offered as an add-on professional service.
- Contract Grow Programs Custom growing programs for landscape professionals and garden centers that require specific plant quantities or varieties that are not readily available in standard inventory, supporting large-scale project needs.
Quantifiable outcome
- Native plants support local biodiversity and provide food/shelter for birds, bees, and butterflies
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Carolina Native Nursery
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Carolina Native Nursery technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Carolina Native Nursery partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- North Carolina ArboretumcoreCommunity partner in Native Azalea Day celebration. Nursery supports the Arboretum's National Native Azalea Collection showcasing 16 of North America's 18 native azalea species. Partnership extends the nursery's mission into the broader community.
- Garden for WildlifecorePartnership announced June 2023 with Garden for Wildlife, Inc., a leading native plant provider. Collaboration to support wildlife habitat creation through native plant sales and education.
- Bee City USA AshevillecoreSponsor of Bee City USA Asheville Spring Habitat Raffle. Active participant in Pollinator Month events andPollination Celebration activities. Shared mission of increasing native plant habitat and reducing pesticide use.
- American Beauties Native PlantsminorProud representative of American Beauties Native Plants brand. Many native Viburnum varieties available under this branded product line.
- Asheville GreenworksminorLong-term partnership supporting greenway habitat projects. Plant donations for habitat restoration and greenhouse building projects over the years.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Carolina Native Nursery competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- American Beauties Native Plants: Branded native plant marketing consortium and wholesale supplier in the eastern U.S. Carolina Native already operates as a 'proud representative' carrying American Beauties Viburnum varieties, making it a direct channel-aligned peer in the wholesale native plant trade.
- Prairie Moon Nursery: Wholesale and retail native plant nursery specializing in native seeds, plugs, and plants for prairie, wetland, and woodland restoration. Highly comparable to Carolina Native in species breadth, native specialization, and B2B wholesale model serving landscape professionals.
- Izel Native Plants: Native plant marketplace aggregating multiple specialty native nurseries for retail and wholesale customers. Directly comparable as a competing distribution channel for native plants in the eastern U.S., serving overlapping homeowner and landscape professional segments.
- High Country Gardens: Mail-order and online native and drought-tolerant plant retailer. Comparable in native plant specialization and direct-to-consumer retail, though High Country focuses more on arid-western species versus Carolina Native's eastern Appalachian emphasis.
- Missouri Wildflowers Nursery: Wholesale and retail native wildflower, grass, and tree nursery serving landscape professionals and homeowners. Comparable business model with native species specialization and dual wholesale/retail distribution.
- Plant Native: Online native plant retailer and regional nursery network. Comparable in native plant retail focus and homeowner education emphasis, with overlapping pollinator-friendly plant offerings.
- Prairie Nursery: Wisconsin-based native plant and prairie restoration nursery offering wholesale and retail native seeds and plants. Comparable propagation expertise and native species focus, though geographically weighted to upper Midwest rather than Appalachian ecosystems.
Emerging players
- Native Plant Trust: Conservation nonprofit operating a native plant nursery at Garden in the Woods (Massachusetts) and seed programs. Comparable in native plant expertise and mission alignment but more conservation-oriented than commercial.
Regional players
- Bluestem Native Nursery: Regional native plant nursery in the Midwest serving landscape professionals and conservation projects. Comparable in species specialization and contract-grow capability, but primarily serves a different geographic market than Carolina Native's eastern U.S. territory.
- Nearly Native Nursery: Southeastern U.S. native plant nursery serving Georgia and surrounding markets with native trees, shrubs, and perennials. Closely comparable in regional Appalachian/Southeastern native species focus and dual wholesale/retail channel structure.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Carolina Native Nursery social profiles
Digital presenceCarolina Native Nursery financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Carolina Native Nursery leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Carolina Native Nursery funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Carolina Native Nursery M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Carolina Native Nursery
What does Carolina Native Nursery do?
Carolina Native Nursery grows and sells regionally adapted native plants—including native azaleas, native rhododendrons, Mt. Laurels, shrubs, perennials, ferns, and grasses—on an 18-acre facility in Burnsville, NC. Distribution combines a wholesale program (serving landscape professionals and garden centers across the eastern U.S.) with a retail storefront (Bee Native Plant Shop) serving homeowners. The company also provides Landscape Design Services and Contract Grow Programs for projects requiring specific plant volumes or varieties.
Is Carolina Native Nursery a public or private company?
Carolina Native Nursery is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Carolina Native Nursery founded?
Carolina Native Nursery was founded in 2003. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Carolina Native Nursery based?
Carolina Native Nursery is headquartered in Burnsville, United States, in the North America region.
How does Carolina Native Nursery make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Wholesale Plant Sales are the primary driver. The others are retail Plant Shop and landscape Design Services.
Who are Carolina Native Nursery's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are American Beauties Native Plants, Prairie Moon Nursery, Izel Native Plants, High Country Gardens, Missouri Wildflowers Nursery, Plant Native and Prairie Nursery. Native Plant Trust is listed as an emerging player. Regional players are Bluestem Native Nursery and Nearly Native Nursery.
Does Carolina Native Nursery have an API?
No public API is recorded for Carolina Native Nursery.
What industry is Carolina Native Nursery in?
Carolina Native Nursery's product category is Native Plant Nursery. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAGAHAF, Nursery Production (Woody Ornamentals: Trees, Shrubs, Roses), with a secondary code of CRAIAIAB, Plants, Seeds & Nursery Retail (Garden Centers). Its NAICS code is 111421 and its SIC code is 100.