- Maryland native pollinator plants<\/a>
- Foxglove beardtongue<\/a><\/li>
- Black-eyed Susan<\/a><\/li>
- Cardinal flower<\/a><\/li>
- Flowering dogwood<\/a><\/li>
- Eastern redbud <\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Maryland native shrubs<\/a>
- Rosemallow <\/a><\/li>
- Black huckleberry <\/a><\/li>
- Hillside blueberry<\/a><\/li>
- Mapleleaf viburnum<\/a><\/li>
- Inkberry holly<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Maryland native ground covers<\/a>
- Golden star <\/a><\/li>
- Moss phlox<\/a><\/li>
- Sensitive fern <\/a><\/li>
- Lady fern <\/a><\/li>
- Wild ginger <\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Maryland native grasses<\/a>
- Blue sedge <\/a><\/li>
- Wool rush <\/a><\/li>
- Little bluestem <\/a><\/li>
- Yellow Indianagrass <\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Other resources<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
Maryland native pollinator plants<\/span><\/h2>
Sadly, pollinator populations are declining worldwide. The top two reasons for the decline are habitat loss and pesticide poisoning. Creating a pollinator-friendly garden will attract these important members of our ecosystem and help them to survive.<\/p>
Here\u2019s a mix of five native pollinator plants; three flowers and two trees. However, take note that some of the plants in the other categories below are also pollinators. For example, the shrubs rosemallow, huckleberry, mapleleaf viburnum, and inkberry holly, and the ground covers moss phlox and wild ginger.<\/p>
Foxglove beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Foxglove](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Foxglove-beardtongue_800.jpg\")
Foxglove Beardtongue <\/em>
lcm1863<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY-ND 2.0<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure>Duration:<\/strong> Perennial<\/p>
Height:<\/strong> Typically 3 feet in full bloom; on rare occasion, they may grow taller<\/p>
Blooms:<\/strong> Bell-shaped white to pale pink blossoms<\/p>
Sun:<\/strong> Full sun to light shade<\/p>
Soil:<\/strong> Fertile, well-drained soils; tolerates all soil textures; excels in compact urban soils; prefers acid soils<\/p>
Hazards:<\/strong> Not known<\/p>
This plant produces a striking display of bell-shaped white flowers from late May through June. The blossoms contain purple stripes that guide bees to the flowers\u2019 nectar. The hairy \u201ctongues\u201d of the flowers make it easier for the bees to pollinate them. Hummingbirds also visit the foxglove beardtongue sometimes. <\/p>
In the fall, the flowers develop strikingly red capsules. In the winter, the basal foliage is semi-evergreen. These then turn a dry brown in the fall. Their seed pods look great in the garden in the winter, but if you don\u2019t want your foxglove beardtongue to self-sow, remove them. However, the plant is somewhat short-lived and needs seeding every so often.<\/p>
The plant is perfect for rain gardens and works well with other rain garden plants we\u2019ll learn about below.<\/p>
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Black-eyed](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_black-eyed-susan-gc85c7ab4f_1280.jpg\")
Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Duration:<\/strong> Perennial, biennial, and annual<\/p>
Height:<\/strong> 1 to 3 feet<\/p>
Blooms:<\/strong> Orange-yellow with black eye<\/p>
Sun preference:<\/strong> State-wide black-eyed Susans do best in full sun to partial sun; Western Maryland Susans are more tolerant of shade<\/p>
Soil preference:<\/strong> Moist to dry, well-drained soils; tolerates a range of conditions<\/p>
Hazards:<\/strong> Toxic to cats; may be harmful to dogs, other animals, and humans<\/p>
The bright black-eyed Susan boasts orange-yellow flowers from June through October. Some Susans are perennial, while others are biennial, and even others are annual. This low-maintenance beauty not only adapts to various environments but also resists most pests and diseases.<\/p>
If you wish, you can usually put this versatile beauty in a pot or container but also grows in meadows, roadsides, and gardens, where it can self-sow. The Western Maryland Susan is likely to thrive in perennial borders, even with some shade. Once established, the plant is quite drought-tolerant. Despite the beauty of this flower, it\u2019s unfortunate that little is actually known about it.<\/p>
Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"bright](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_3531893936_27d3175fdd_c.jpg\")
DM<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY-ND 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Duration:<\/strong> Perennial<\/p>
Height:<\/strong> 2 to 4 feet<\/p>
Blooms:<\/strong> Intense red<\/p>
Sun preference:<\/strong> Shade or partial shade; full sun with consistently wet soil<\/p>
Soil preference:<\/strong> Moist to wet, rich soil of any texture<\/p>
Hazards:<\/strong> Toxic to people and animals such as dogs, cats, and horses<\/p>
This stunning, bright red flower blooms from July to September. After flowering, the original rosette dies, but more flowers usually spring from it for several years. Over the winter, cardinal flowers survive as an evergreen rosette with basal foliage; leaves grow from their stem. <\/p>
Deadhead the plant to tidy it up, encourage rebloom, and prevent reseeding. Pinch it back to train it more compact and bushier. Cut the plant back after flowering, and divide the plants every two to three years.<\/p>
Cardinal flower is a great pollinator, especially for large bees, swallowtail butterflies, and hummingbirds. It\u2019s also deer- and rabbit-resistant. Just beware of the plant\u2019s toxicity.<\/p>
Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"white](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Cornus-florida-1.jpg\")
Eric Hunt<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Duration:<\/strong> Perennial<\/p>
Height:<\/strong> 20 to 30 feet<\/p>
Flowers:<\/strong> Four petal-like bracts, emerging reddish or greenish and growing into white or pink blossoms<\/p>
Sun preference:<\/strong> Part sun to shade; ideally a mix of sun with some afternoon shade<\/p>
Soil preference:<\/strong> Moist and well-drained; acidic; fertile<\/p>
Hazards:<\/strong> Toxic to people and pets if consumed in large quantities<\/p>
Flowering dogwood is beautiful year-round. From its spring flowers to its summer berries and red to purplish fall colors, it is a charming statement piece. In the fall, the tree has stunning red foliage that looks great in shrub borders and gardens alike. Flowering dogwood doesn\u2019t need pruning; just remove the shoots as needed. The tree is, however, susceptible to certain diseases and pests.<\/p>
Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"soft](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/rsz_2453547916_55dd9e479c_c.jpg\")
Patrick Standish<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Duration:<\/strong> Perennial<\/p>
Height:<\/strong> 20 to 35 feet<\/p>
Blooms:<\/strong> Light pink to lavender; rarely white<\/p>
Sun preference:<\/strong> Full sun to partial shade<\/p>
Soil preference:<\/strong> Loam-sand-clay, high organic matter; pH 4.5 to 7.5; not wet, poorly aerated, or coarsely sandy soils<\/p>
Hazards:<\/strong> Reported to contain a toxic saponin; level of toxicity and absorption is not known<\/p>
The eastern redbud tree will adorn your garden with showy, light pink to lavender flowers that bloom from April to May. It has several maroon to purple trunks and a wide crown. It also grows lovely, heart-shaped leaves. This brilliant tree naturally appears in forest edges, woodlands, and stream banks in all regions of Maryland except a few counties nearest the Atlantic coastline. While it normally lives 20 to 30 years, plant it young, and leave it undisturbed; it doesn\u2019t transplant well.<\/p>
Maryland native shrubs<\/span><\/h2>
Maryland offers a variety of native shrubs, some of which bear edible (and others inedible) berries. Not only are they loved by humans, but also local wildlife. Here\u2019s an example of three local shrubs.<\/p>
Rosemallow (Hibiscus moscheutos)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"close](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Hibiscus-moscheutos-1.jpg\")
James Steakley<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Duration:<\/strong> Perennial<\/p>
Height:<\/strong> 4 to 7 feet<\/p>
Blooms:<\/strong> White or pink with a dark red middle<\/p>
Sun preference:<\/strong> Full sun to part sun; tolerates light shade<\/p>
Soil preference:<\/strong> Wet to moist, coarse or loamy soils with organic matter; slightly acidic<\/p>
Hazards:<\/strong> Not known<\/p>
The beautiful Rosemallow shrub blooms with white or pink flowers from July to September. It blooms much longer than most hibiscus plants. If it becomes too large or if you want new plants, you can divide rosemallows into clumps.<\/p>
The plant is a perfect addition to streams and ponds, in bog gardens, and in rain gardens. You should plant it before the heat of the summer and mulch it heavily for the first winter. Shield it from the wind to protect it from wind burn. In the winter, rosemallow is lovely for dried arrangements. You can trim back the old stems in the spring. To maintain a neat appearance, deadhead spent flowers. <\/p>
Black huckleberry (Gaylussacia baccata)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"young](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Gaylussacia_baccata_-_Black_Huckleberry-1.jpg\")
Fritzflohrreynolds<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Duration:<\/strong> Perennial<\/p>
Height:<\/strong> 1.5 to 3 feet<\/p>
Blooms:<\/strong> Clusters of delicate, red to pink flowers with flared tips<\/p>
Sun preferences:<\/strong> Sun to partial shade<\/p>
Soil preferences:<\/strong> Often found in acidic, sandy or rocky soils; drought-tolerant once established<\/p>
Hazards:<\/strong> Not known<\/p>
The black huckleberry shrub grows sweet berries around July or later. They\u2019re edible for humans as well as local birds. It also blossoms with dainty, red-to-pink flowers from April to May. These flowers support various kinds of bees, as well as butterflies and syrphid flies. Its leaves turn orange and crimson in the fall.<\/p>
The shrub\u2019s shallow, spreading root system helps stabilize sandy or rocky slopes. It can also form thickets.<\/p>
Hillside blueberry (Vaccinium pallidum)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"young](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Vaccinium_pallidum-1.jpg\")
Eric Hunt<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Duration:<\/strong> Perennial<\/p>
Height:<\/strong> 1.5 to 2 feet<\/p>
Blooms:<\/strong> White to pink<\/p>
Sun preferences:<\/strong> Full sun to shade<\/p>
Soil preferences:<\/strong> Well-drained and acidic with any texture; mesic to dry<\/p>
Hazards:<\/strong> Not known<\/p>
We all know and love blueberries, so why not add a blueberry shrub to your yard? They need shade, though, or they\u2019ll stop bearing fruit. Aside from bearing fruit, you can also expect hillside blueberry to show off with brilliant red fall foliage.<\/p>
Outside of you and your household, wildlife like orioles and box turtles will also love the berries. Furthermore, lowbush blueberry hosts various butterfly species and certain wasps.<\/p>
Mapleleaf viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"close](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/35052610291_cb8b47d7e2_c-1.jpg\")
Plant Image Library<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Duration:<\/strong> Perennial<\/p>
Height:<\/strong> 3 to 6 feet<\/p>
Blooms:<\/strong> Flat-topped clusters of white flowers from white or pink buds<\/p>
Sun preferences:<\/strong> Part sun to shade<\/p>
Soil preferences:<\/strong> Moist to dry; unbothered by rocky soils; acidic (pH below 6.0)<\/p>
Hazards:<\/strong> Not known; most varieties of viburnum are believed to be non-toxic; however, they\u2019re not suitable for humans to eat<\/p>
This beautiful shrub grows clusters of lovely white flowers from white and pink buds, which attract pollinators like butterflies. In addition, the plant is a host plant for the spring azure butterfly, and its berries are valuable food to birds like the American Robin, Cedar Waxwing, and several others. However, unlike some other Maryland berries, these aren\u2019t suitable for humans to eat. Leave them to your local wildlife, like Maryland\u2019s birds. It\u2019s also a host for the larvae of the spring azure butterfly, and it provides escape cover for birds and small mammals.<\/p>
In the fall, the plant turns a beautiful fall color that may be anything from pinkish-red to rosy-pink, smoky burgundy, purplish, golden yellow, or bronzy orange. A beauty throughout all the season. Prune it as needed. Otherwise, this plant is low-maintenance and doesn\u2019t usually suffer from pests or diseases.<\/p>
Inkberry holly (Ilex glabra)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"white](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/4660897847_e96b7bf7b7_c-1.jpg\")
Else Spezio<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Duration:<\/strong> Perennial<\/p>
Height:<\/strong> 5 to 8 feet<\/p>
Flowers:<\/strong> Small, white, and discreet<\/p>
Sun preferences:<\/strong> Full sun to full shade<\/p>
Soil preferences:<\/strong> All soil types; pH 4.5 to 6; dry to periodically wet; well-drained, acidic soils<\/p>
Hazards:<\/strong> Toxic to people and pets<\/p>
Inkberry holly grows in Coastland Plain\u2019s sandy woodlands, on the edges of swamps and bogs, and on sandy dunes. It has glossy, leathery foliage that\u2019s dark to light green in the summer and fall. This adaptable plant tolerates periodic flooding, droughts, salt exposure, and various soil textures, including clay. It, however, often dies in neutral to alkaline soils.<\/p>
Inkberry holly looks great in mixed shrub borders, hedges, foundation plantings, bog gardens, rain gardens, and along streams and ponds. The plant is low-maintenance in that it\u2019s usually pest-, disease-, deer-, and rabbit-resistant. Prune it in the spring before new growth.<\/p>
Maryland native ground covers<\/span><\/h2>
You can use ground cover instead of grass where there\u2019s little foot traffic. Not only will that save you time and money on maintenance, but it can also achieve a unique look. Some of them are also great pollinators. Let\u2019s see these examples of ground covers that can adorn your Maryland yard.<\/p>
Golden star (Chrysogonum virginianum)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"close](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Chrysogonum_virginianum-1.jpg\")
Fritzflohrreynolds<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Duration:<\/strong> Perennial<\/p>
Height:<\/strong> Usually 6 to 12 inches; can grow as tall as 18 inches<\/p>
Blooms:<\/strong> Golden yellow, daisy-like flowers which resemble stars<\/p>
Sun preferences: <\/strong>Part sun to shade<\/p>
Soil preferences:<\/strong> Dry to moist but well-drained; acidic; chalk, clay, loam, or sand<\/p>
Hazards:<\/strong> Toxic to humans and pets<\/p>
Golden star, also called green and gold, blooms with dainty but showy yellow flowers through the summer. It\u2019s not to be confused with the magnolia gold star. The golden star ground cover often occurs in rocky, open woodlands, such as Prince George’s and Allegany Counties, and below Cumberland. It not only makes a perfect addition to your garden, but like other ground covers, it can replace grass where there isn\u2019t much foot traffic. It\u2019s also ideal for gardens and naturalized areas.<\/p>
This perennial grows best in light shade with well-drained soil. It\u2019s adaptable and tolerates stressors like heat, cold, flood, and drought. In mild winters, the plant can be semi-evergreen. It actually thrives without much care, so make sure not to overfertilize it.<\/p>
- Wool rush <\/a><\/li>
- Moss phlox<\/a><\/li>
- Black huckleberry <\/a><\/li>
- Black-eyed Susan<\/a><\/li>
- Foxglove beardtongue<\/a><\/li>