Native Plants and Calculators

Use Regionally Native Plants

Native plants are species that are indigenous to a specific region, for example, the Chesapeake Bay watershed. They are adapted to the local soil and climate. As people moved from the Old World to the Americas, they brought exotic plants, and frequently changed the landscapes to resemble those that they knew in Europe and elsewhere. The result of the tendency to try to reproduce plants and plant arrangements from other countries is that thousands of acres of turf grass and many alien invasive species have been introduced.

Native plant benefits include:
• Best adapted to local conditions, for example, no need to use chemical fertilizers.
• Water conservation, that is, once plants are established in the right place, no need for supplemental watering.
• Reduced maintenance over the long run. While native plants are not maintenance-free, if they are placed in the landscape based on their preferred conditions, they require less care than non-native species.
• Won't harm natural areas, e.g., won't become invasive.
• High habitat value provides food, shelter, and nesting areas for wildlife.
• Great variety of species for all conditions and create a "sense of place."

Click here for the on-line version of Native Plants for Wildlife Habitat and Conservation Landscaping: Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

Select Plant Type: View All Types Fern Grass, sedge, carex Perennial Rain Garden Plants Shrub Shrub: deciduous Shrub: evergreen Tree Tree: deciduous Tree: evergreen Vine Xeriscape Plants

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Heliopsis helianthoides Common Name: Oxeye Sunflower Oxeye daisy seed is a prime source of food for songbirds in winter. This mid-summer bloomer has deep golden yellow flowers with mahogany centers topping dark red stems and red-tinged foliage. This is a stunning native selection with outstanding wi... [ More Info ]

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Heuchera americana Common Name: Alumroot Alumroot is an excellent drought tolerant ground cover for shady areas. Long wands of white flowers attract native bees and hummingbirds when they bloom in spring. Benefits: Outstanding foliage display Nectar source for hummingb... [ More Info ]

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Heuchera villosa Common Name: Hairy Heuchera / Hairy Alumroot June to October small whitish flowers hover above the foliage on long stems. It makes a lovely shade groundcover that can happily compete with tree roots and come out looking good.... [ More Info ]

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Hibiscus moscheutos Common Name: Rose Mallow This shrub-like perennial is a vigorous grower with large leaves and 4-5" wide flowers ranging from pink to white. The flowers last only for one day, but there are many of them and they bloom consistently until the end of the season. Benefits: ... [ More Info ]