Why Native Plants?
Native plants have evolved naturally within an ecosystem, without human intervention.
They play beneficial roles from feeding and sheltering native wildlife, to managing stormwater and storing rainwater, to shoring up and fertilizing soil.
By planting Maryland natives, you are bolstering your local ecosystem and all the good things living in it.
How to care for your native plants
Because native plants are intrinsically suited for their environment, they require little-to-no care after initial establishment.
Planting
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Plant as soon as possible; keep potted plants well-watered until planted
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Plant in the best location per the sun and moisture details on each plant label
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Plant at the same depth in the ground as the plant sits in its pot
Maintaining
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During the first growing season, provide 1 gallon of water, once a week
(this can be via hand-watering or rain – we recommend adding a decorative rain gauge to your garden to track when Mother Nature does your watering for you)
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If planting in Spring, water through the end of October
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If planting in Summer, water through end-October and again in the Spring
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If planting in Fall, water until first Frost, then again the following Spring and Summer
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We generally advise to wait as long as you can in Spring before cutting back last year’s plants. Some native bee species are slow to emerge, staying nested in last year’s plants until late-May.
Leaf litter, dried stalks, and hollow stems provide forage for native birds and shelter for native insects, including:-
burrows for Bumble Bee queens
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cocoons for Carolina Mantis
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fortresses for Fireflies
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