​Prioritizing environmentally preferable landscaping products and practices is critical to preserving a beautiful and strong Maryland. Strategies to support a thriving environment and a healthy public include choosing native plants over those that are invasive or naturalized and limiting the use of fertilizers and pesticides.

Protecting Maryland and its Watershed

As the third largest estuary in the world, the Chesapeake Bay is made up of over 100,000 tributaries. These rivers and streams criss-cross through Maryland before emptying out into the Atlantic Ocean. As these bodies of water move through the State, they collect sediment, remnants of fertilizers and pesticides, and other pollutants. If the ground between the pollution source and the watershed is hard and flat (impervious), the runoff will reach the watershed faster and result in a higher concentration of pollution. This pollution not only directly impacts marine-life, it also affects the lives of Maryland’s people – whether it's the water they drink, the seafood they eat, or the water they play in.

Native vs. Invasive Plants

By selecting native plants for State grounds, our green spaces can act as a natural buffer in preventing pollution runoff and erosion while serving as habitats and food sources for wildlife. Native plants are those that are indigenous to a specific geographic region and have evolved together with local wildlife. Because native plants thrive in local environmental conditions, they don’t need fertilizers, pesticides, or extra watering, thereby saving the State time, money, and resources. By limiting the need for fertilizers and pesticides, the State can also avoid air and water pollution. Moreover, healthy ecosystems also support carbon sequestration, which is critical in mitigating climate change.

On the other hand, invasive plants are those that are introduced into a geographic region and outcompete native plant ecosystems. By suppressing their native competitors, invasive plants establish a monoculture that is sparse in biodiversity and more susceptible to disease and natural disasters. As cited by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, “The introduction of invasive species can have a dramatic effect on our natural resources, human health, and economy.”

Maryland has an abundant number of native plants and trees to choose from; not only are they beautiful, they also have great landscaping applications. In fact, Maryland’s State Flower is the Black-Eyed Susan, a versatile and easy-to-grow native plant.