I am from the other side of the mountains but I do browse the nurseries there from time to time. Like all general questions like this, it really depends on what you are looking for. I am aware that there are several specialty nurseries in the area that focus mainly on conifers, rhododendron, azaleas and natives. Those I am not so familiar with.

I focus more on unusual perennials and shrubs.

Rux gardens in Waynesville has some very interesting things. They would likely have a decent selection of plants most anytime. I think they may have a simple website.

____ Israel nursery at the western NC farmers market in Asheville has nice things from time to time but maybe not so much in September. You might find common landscape items at the farmers market as well---except maybe not in September. There was a brief description of Israel on the NC farmers market website when I found them several years ago.

There is a good all around nursery on the northeast side in Weaverville visible from I-26 whose name is Weems(sp) Valley Creek nursery or something like that. I suspect they have a good selection most of the year.

The big boxes (home depot and lowes) might have some bargains remaining in early Sept. but they go quickly when they slash the prices...but probably worth checking.

I have been doing landscape vacations for several years myself. I find it interesting to not merely tread over other people's soil but actually digging in it gives me a different sense of the place. Have fun!

I have included a link to the NC dept. of Agriculture website. If you look under certified plant dealers, you can find a list of every registered nursery in a given county and the kinds of plants they sell. You can probably do a search for the farmers market website from that ncdoa site as well.

Here is a link that might be useful: nurseries database

Don't miss B.B.Barn's, I don't know what they will have in Sept. but during the spring ans summer their material is always fresh and healthy.
I found some keepers at the Biltmore Estate Garden Shop last Sept. Their variety is limited but interesting and of course, their gardens are lovely.

BB Barnes (HWY 25 in South Asheville) is probably the most expensive, with Jessie Israel's (located within the Farmer's Market) a close second. There is usually an herb fair the first or second weekend in September at the Farmer's market, and that usually provides good selection and price. Reems Creek Nursery in Weaverville, NC (6 miles north of Asheville along HWY 19) has a good selection and price.

I don't have a tremendous variety for shade, but I am usually ready to divide perennials if you want to email me when you get to Asheville. I DO have an INTENSIVE variety for sunny locations.

:-)

Here is a link that might be useful: my gardens

WOW! You gals (or guys) are great! We will check them all out. Below is a list of perennials I thought would work for her yard (quite shaded). Some of the items I'll be bringing with me from my gardens. I have 300 cultivars of perennials, plus 90 daylilies:), but a lot of my plants aren't big enough to divide, especially hostas. Can you think of something that's not on the list that would do great there that we should look for when shopping? List:
Adiantum (Maidenhair fern)
Alchemilla mollis (Lady's mantle)
Anemone (Japanese anemone)
Aquilegia (Columbine)
Aruncus (Goatsbeard)
Astilbe (False Spirea)
Athyrium nipponicum (painted fern)
Bergenia
Brunnera (False Forget-Me-Not)
Chelone (Turtlehead)
Cimicifuga (Bugbane, Cohosh)
Corydalis
Dicentra (bleeding heart)
Geranium (hardy cranesbill)
Helleborus (Lenten rose)
Heuchera (alumroot/coral bells)
Heucherella (foamy bells)
Hosta (plantain)- looking for the large focal point ones
Kirengeshoma (waxbells)
Lamium (dead nettle)
Ligularia (ragwort)
Matteucia (ostrich ferns)
Mertensia (Virginia bluebells)
Phlox
Polygonatum (Solomon's Seal)
Primula (primrose)
Pulmonaria (lungwort)
Smilacena (false Solomons Seal)
Tricyrtis (toad lily)
Trollius (Globeflower)

sweet woodruff

I agree with the posts about BB Barns and Israel and Sons at the Farmers Market. I think BB Barns has lots of things on sale at the end of the season, would check them for sure. Yes, they are a little on the pricey side, but they have wonderful healthy plants. I have mostly shade gardens and all the plants you mentioned will grow well in Swanannoa. I live about 20 miles due east of there and most of the plants you listed grow well in my garden.

When you arrive in town check the Ahseville phone book for nurserys and garden centers - there are lots of them......And - be prepared to fall in love with Western North Carolina - it's beautiful here.

Enjoy your visit!

Jesse Israel's at the Farmer's market has great things. Watch out for prices though. I also agree that BB Barns is a good choice.

Carla

My best friend lives in Swannanoa and I just moved from there after 12 years (I'd give anything to move back, but hubby's job relocated) but if you want to see a nice garden and landscaping with mostly native things - go here. Find Grovemont (huge subdivision, everybody in Swannanoa knows it) and then find Woodland Drive. It goes up beyond the 4H Educational Center (formerly the 4H Camp). Go beyond the camp, and turn left on Rocky Creek Trail. Cross the creek and then take the left fork up the hill to the double wide, you will know you are in the right place if you see a concrete Labrador Retriever in the yard. My best friend has done quite a lot with a little bit to work with and her yard which is perched on a hillside with huge boulders is absolutly beautiful. If you get lucky you might find her out working in the yard and she can give you some pointers. Her name is Anne.

I think Rux would have many of what you've mentioned....plus a few that you may not have thought of. I'm surprised no one has commented on them. Maybe they are not aware of them.
In spring they have a pretty good selection of less common hostas and pulmonaria.

It seems like most local folks agree with my impression of BB Barns. It is a beautifully designed nursery with healthy plants but waaay too pricey for me. If they are indeed "marked down", they would be well worth a look see.

I don't quite agree with the opinions about Jesse Israel. I found some things a bit pricey, but I also found a couple of things I hadn't found anywhere else at fair prices.

I Iike the shrubs at Reems Creek but thought their perennials were a bit pricey---but well worth a check in case they're marked down in Sept.

I have several of the brunerras, but I only like Jack Frost. We are on the edge of where they grow well. The heat dries up their leaves and they're not too attractive in mid summer---but they're really nice after they've clumped a few years....especially in the spring with those pretty blue flowers. Until recently they were not easily found here.

Everything you have mentioned is relatively short. You might want to use a few pieris, rhododendrons, etc for some height and winter interest when all the perennials have disappeared?

Have a fun trip.

Here is a link that might be useful: directions to rux

I grew up in Swannanoa.

The feed stores would always have Plants too.

Tropicalfreak

I love Jessie Israels at the Farmer's Market. You have to look for bargains and ignore the rest, but I've always found a few when I go there.

Is this dry or moist shade? Could make a big dif. In addition to your list there are a lot of native ferns, also native gingers (asarum), black cohosh and native orchids that would work. Columbine, celandine poppy, epimediums..

If you do a search on this forum for shade or natives it should give you lots of ideas. There's also a shade forum (I think) on gardenweb. Have fun!

BB Barnes is a great choice but do not rule out Reems Creek Nursery just north of Asheville (very accessible). They have a great collection of shrubs, trees and perrenials. They guarentee their shrubs and tress. Country Gardens off of Lower Grassy Branch Rd (near Swannanoa).