Why Buy Native Plants?
Black Eyed Susan, Brian Martin via Pixabay
Native plants are an important part of any ecosystem because they maintain the ecosystem’s natural life cycle. Native plants are those that grow in a particular region without direct human involvement. They provide habitat and food for local wildlife and pollinators, and help prevent soil erosion and waterway pollution. Because they are native, they require less maintenance and watering, and will naturally help orient the surrounding ecosystem.
Unfortunately, many non-native plants have been introduced into Maryland, and have become invasive in many urban and suburban landscapes. Invasive plants can displace native species, eliminate food and habitat for wildlife, alter natural fire regimes and nutrient cycling in soils, and inhibit native plant regeneration. You can find a list of a few invasive plants here.
To help your garden and the surrounding ecosystem, plant natives, refrain from using pesticides and other strong chemicals, plant on different levels (shrubs, trees, and shorter plants) to mimic a natural setting, and remove non-native invasives.
Where to Buy Native Plants in Maryland
Swamp Milkweed, sold at Chesapeake Natives Source: 2007 Derek Ramsey via Wikimedia Commons
Struggling to find places that sell native plants for the Maryland and Chesapeake Bay area? Look no more! We’ve done the work for you.
At Chesapeake Natives Inc., located in Upper Marlboro, you can find plants that are descendants of plants truly native to the Chesapeake Watershed. It is a volunteer-driven nonprofit that exists to promote, protect and propagate native plants of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
Herring Run Nursery, located in the Mount Pleasant Golf Course in Baltimore, is a program of Blue Water Baltimore, and specializes in native plants to promote a healthy environment. It offers more than 250 native species of trees, shrubs, vines, flowers, and plants.
Occupying a 400-acre native garden and preserve in Ridgely is Adkins Arboretum. Adkins strives to engage all people in conservation, appreciation, and enjoyment of the Chesapeake region’s native landscapes through education, recreation, art, and community events. The Arboretum has a large selection of native trees, shrubs, perennials, grasses, ferns, and vines ready for you to take home.
Adkins Arboretum
Lauren’s Garden Service is a native plant nursery located in Glenwood. Lauren’s does the gardening for the garden lovers who don’t have time to maintain their own. Lauren’s also uses permaculture practices in all aspects including plant selection, fertilizing and soil enhancement, planting and weeding techniques, as well as other installation and maintenance practices.
Located in New Windsor, the Wakefield Valley Nursery offers a wide variety of native shrubs, trees, and perennials pre-grown for you and your garden or landscaping needs.
Stadler Nurseries is a family business that has been in operation for over 80 years! There are three locations in Laytonsville, Frederick, and Bristow, VA. It offers a variety of native trees, shrubs, vines, perennials, grasses, ferns, and aquatic plants.
Longtime nursery, Behnke’s Nurseries Garden Center in Beltsville has several greenhouses filled with plants, trees, and flowers for sale. It will be closing in June, so almost all plants are 20% off!
Here's another option to buy native plants - Franciscan Monastery Garden Guild Plant and Herb Sale. April 27, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. April 28, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. at 1400 Quincy St. NE, Washington, DC 20017.
If the nurseries listed above are not conveniently located for you, please visit the Maryland Native Plant Society’s website to view other places you can purchase native plants!