What plants will thrive at my home?

Maryland is full of plants and trees that thrive in our environment, lets look at what those are.

Trees can be divided into two main categories: those that lose their leaves and those that keep them year round. Trees that lose their leaves each year are known as deciduous trees. Trees that keep their leaves year round are known as evergreens. Many trees that produce cones (conifers) are evergreens while many flowering plants are deciduous.

Trees

  • Because evergreens keep their foliage or needles year round, they are a great addition to your Wild backyard. Evergreens provide year round cover in addition to winter shelter and nesting sites. Evergreens also provide sap, cones, seeds, needles, twigs and bud throughout the year, creating a continuous food source. The following list contains several evergreens which are great for wildlife. Hyperlinks are provided for species with additional fact sheets.

    American Holly (ilex opaca)

    American hollies grow from 15-50 feet tall and produce red, fleshy berries that are available throughout the winter. Birds are the principal consumers of American holly fruit, although deer, squirrels and other small animals eat them. At least 18 species of birds, including songbirds, Mourning Doves, wild turkeys and Northern Bobwhite Quails, are known to eat the fruit.

    Arborvitae (thuja occidentalis)

    Arborvitae, also known as Northern white cedars are tall, cylindrical trees. Their dense foliage provides excellent cover year round for wildlife. Species such as songbirds, waterfowl and small mammals all benefit from Arborvitae. This tree grows best in wet, calcareous (calcium-rich) soils.

    Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)

    Eastern red cedars can grow in any region of Maryland and are found in dry-moist soils. This tree has scale-like leaves and produces bluish-green berries from July-March. Many birds and small mammals eat the berrylike cones of eastern red cedar, especially in winter. Wildlife species that eat eastern red cedar fruits include Cedar Waxwings, Bobwhite Quail, Ruffed Grouse, Ring-necked Pheasant, wild turkeys, rabbits, foxes, raccoons, skunks, opossums and coyotes.

    Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana)

    Sweetbay vegetation is used by a variety of wildlife species. Squirrels, other small mammals, song birds wild turkeys and Bobwhite Quail feed on sweetbay seeds. Deer browse sweetbay leaves and twigs throughout the year. Sweetbay leaves are also used in nest construction by several bird species such as Eastern Kingbirds, Northern Mockingbirds, American Robins, Wood Thrushes and Red-eyed Vireos.

    Pines (Pinus spp.)

    Pine trees are fast growing trees that provide tremendous wildlife benefits. Songbirds and small mammals benefit the most from pine trees. Pine cones are a great food source year round.

  • Although deciduous trees lose their leaves in the fall and winter, they still provide cover and food important for wildlife. Leaf litter from deciduous trees also provides food and cover for many invertebrate species. Maryland has a greater diversity of deciduous trees, and many deciduous trees produce flowers and fruit beneficial for wildlife. The following list contains deciduous trees that can enhance your backyard habitat. Hyperlinks are provided for species with additional fact sheets.

    American Beech (Fagus grandifolia)

    American beech trees are one native deciduous tree which can tolerate shade. Planting this tree in a shady backyard will provide nuts for songbirds and squirrels, sap for Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers and buds for finches.

    Black Cherry (Prunus serotina)

    The black cherry can grow to 50 or 60 feet tall. Many birds and small mammals eat black cherries. It is the preferred fruit of birds like American Robins and Northern Mockingbirds. Black cherry sap is a favorite of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, a type of woodpecker. The Tiger Swallowtail also uses Black Cherry as a larval host plant.

    Hickory (Carya sp.)

    The most common hickory species is the bitternut hickory. Songbirds such as grosbeaks, some woodpeckers, and other animals like fox, squirrels and chipmunks eat hickory nuts. Shagbark hickory, which has shaggy, plated bark also provides cover for roosting bats.

    Maple (Acer sp.)

    Maples also have winged seeds which are eaten by cardinals, evening grosbeaks, bobwhite quail, and other animals. Grosbeaks and American Goldfinches use the leaves for nesting material and also use the branches for supporting their nests. Maple sap is eaten by squirrels and songbirds and the sugar maple, found in western and central Maryland, provides sap for maple syrup.

    Oaks (Quercus sp.)

    There are five types of oaks native to Maryland: the black, white, scarlet, red and pin oaks. Many songbirds, ducks, and other animals eat the acorns. Squirrels are famous for hiding acorns to get ready for the long winter. Deer eat oak leaves and twigs. Oaks provide branches for bird nests and hollows for woodpeckers, squirrels and other animals to raise their young in wooded protection. The leaves and branches provide shade and protection from the weather.

    Sassafras (Sassafras albid um)

    The sassafras tree is common along fencerows, roadsides and abandoned fields. It is not often used by birds for nesting but its blue fruits are a favorite of Gray Catbirds, American Robins and Eastern Bluebirds. In the fall, sassafras trees are in beautiful color with orange leaves, blue fruits and green stems. The Spicebush Swallowtail also uses Sassafras as a larval host plant.

    Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera)

    The tulip poplar is a fast-growing, tall North American hardwood tree that can reach a height of over 150 feet! Hummingbirds enjoy its nectar, while Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers enjoy its sap. Tulip poplars produce seeds, which are favorites of Northern Cardinals. Hollow spaces inside this tree provide homes for squirrels and raccoons, among other animals.

    White Ash (Fraxinus americana)

    The white ash grows in moist soils and can grow from 50-100 feet. It is the most common of the ash species, while the green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) is the most widespread. You will know the ash by its winged seeds which are consumed by many bird species. The seeds are favorites of Evening Grosbeaks and Purple Finches and are also eaten by Northern Cardinals, Northern Bobwhite Quail and Wood Ducks.

Shrubs can diversify wildlife habitat planting schemes and are easy to incorporate on any property. To visualize how shrub planting increases habitat diversity, think of a forest.

Typically, forests include (1) tall trees (canopy), (2) smaller trees and shrubs (sub-canopy) and (3) herbaceous plants and ground covers (understory). Unless forested tracts are already present, most properties have only trees and ground covers, often lawns, with little in between. Planting shrubs then becomes a way to attract those wildlife species that need this plant layer to satisfy their habitat needs.

Shrubs

  • Shrubs can serve as habitat in many ways. Flowering shrubs can produce nectar to feed bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Berry-producing can shrubs feed songbirds, upland game birds and many mammals including deer, squirrel, fox and chipmunks. Wild animals use leaves, twigs and buds of the plant itself for food. Shrubs can also provide shelter from predators or extreme weather, or to nest and raise young, especially when massed. Evergreen, thorny or dense-branching shrubs usually offer the best shelter.

    When selecting shrubs, it is important to keep in mind the flowering and fruiting nature of the species. Try to incorporate shrubs that produce berries at different times of the year so that a food supply is always present for berry-eating wildlife. Some shrubs are dioecious, meaning that male and female flowers are born on separate plants. So, if your goal for a dioecious shrub is to have it produce berries, then it is important to plant both a male and female shrub for pollination.

  • Landscaping uses for shrubs are as varied as the choice of plants. Shrubs may be planted around the foundation of the house or as borders that serve as backdrops for perennial and annual plants. On large tracts, shrubs can be planted along cropland and forest edges or incorporated into hedgerows of trees and shrubs. Hedgerows planted between cropland provide connectors or wildlife travel lanes between larger blocks of contiguous habitat (i.e. forest, fallow fields or wetland habitats). Linking these larger blocks is increasingly important as suitable wildlife habitat becomes fragmented by development. Incorporating evergreen and thicket-forming shrubs in hedgerows ensures that shelter components of habitat are met.

  • Before purchasing a shrub or two, consider several criteria before making a purchase. First, determine the shrub's purpose: Do you want the shrub to provide food, cover or both? Second, choose plants that are compatible with the site. Be sure to research light and soil conditions required for your shrub. Third, consider maintenance needs of the desired species. Shrubs planted near the house can be watered easily during dry weather but watering may not be practical in large scale plantings on farms. Pruning can also be done easily in backyard situations but is not practical in large scale plantings. As a general rule, only light pruning is recommended for shrub wildlife plantings because there is a danger of pruning away future food supplies if done at the wrong time of year. Pruning also reduces the plants usefulness as wildlife shelter; backyard wildlife shrubs should be allowed to attain a natural form. Some vigorously-growing shrubs respond well by being cut back to six inches in the fall and will grow even bushier than before. Local nursery or garden center personnel can advise you on what shrubs to select depending on the intended need.

Perennials

In Maryland, native plants are those that have flourished in the region we now call the Chesapeake Bay (and across much of the Mid-Atlantic region) for countless centuries. The native species we encounter today - like those showcased at local native plant events - are the descendants of ancestral plants that thrived in Maryland's ecosystems long before European settlers arrived. Over time, these plants have developed remarkable adaptations to thrive in Maryland's unique environment, all while providing essential wildlife habitats.

Not only do Maryland native plants directly support local wildlife and ecosystems, but they are also fantastic additions to gardens and landscapes. Maryland native plants often grow quickly, possess natural resistance to drought, require minimal fertilization, and demand relatively little upkeep. Identifying the appropriate native plants for your specific region in Maryland can enhance the beauty and ecological significance of any landscaping endeavor.

    • Black-Eyed Susan (Rubeckia hirta)

      • Maryland State Flower!

      • Commonly found across much of eastern North America, blooming from early summer to late fall, this perennial brightens up gardens with its long-lasting and abundant blossoms.

    • Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)

      • Unique as one of our only brilliant orange flowers. This plant typically blooms from early summer to fall, and grows up to 2-3 feet tall!

      • Critical host plant to endangered Monarch Butterflies -The Monarch Butterfly caterpillars feed exclusively on milkweeds.

    • Wild Bergamont (Monarda fistulosa)

      • (Also called Bee Balm) adds a burst of color and vitality to any pollinator garden. It blooms with vibrant lavender to purple or even pale pink flowers from mid-summer to early fall, attracting pllinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

    • Eastern Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

      • Among Maryland native plants Eastern Columbine brings a special touch of elegance to any garden. Its unique red and yellow flowers bloom from late spring to early summer. Growing to a height of 1 to 3 feet, it boasts a graceful growth habit that is just as home in a pollinator garden as in a naturalized area.

    • Woodland Sunflower (Helianthus divaricatus)

      • Woodland Sunflower adds a splash of sunshine to partially shaded areas. Its cheerful yellow blooms emerge in late summer to early fall, brightening up woodland edges, garden borders, and natural landscapes. This plant typically reaches a height of 2 to 5 feet and is well-suited for areas with dappled sunlight or partial shade and rich soil.

    • Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)

      • Cardinal Flower is a striking perennial known for its vibrant scarlet blooms which erupt from vertical stems girded with lance shaped green leaves. This stately accent plant stands out in areas with moist or wet soil, particularly along the edges of sunny ponds, streams, and wet meadows. Its eye-catching spikes of tubular flowers appear in mid to late summer, creating a mesmerizing display that attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.

    • White Wood Aster (Eurybia divaricata)

      • White Wood Aster is a delicate yet resilient native wildflower that graces woodlands, gardens, and natural habitats with its understated beauty. This perennial plant features dainty, daisy-like white flowers that bloom in late summer to early fall, providing a late-season burst of color when many other plants have finished flowering.

    • Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum)

      • Wild Geranium features deeply lobed, palmate leaves and dainty pink to lavender-hued flowers, adding a charming aesthetic to woodland gardens and shaded borders. This plant blooms in late spring to early summer, and its rhizomatous growth habit creates spreading clumps that help stabilize soil and prevent erosion.

Grasses

Many of the commonly used ornamental grasses are exotic — that is, coming from a country or region distant from where they are being used. While these are beautiful in their own right, they do not relate to a sense of place and some do exhibit invasive tendencies. Native species, especially those that are native to the region, fit in well with the local ecology and growing conditions.