Spring

The weather is getting warmer, the days are getting longer, and Spring is in the air. Now is a great time to get started on establishing a native landscape!

How can I help?

1) Educate yourself on common invasive plants in the area and remove any invasive species you currently have planted in your garden.

Replace invasive species with native alternatives.

2)Seek out native species to plant in your garden.

Be a cautious shopper. Many large retailers sell species that are not local or native to our environment. Investigate into natives to your area before shopping.
Use the Maryland Native Plant Society Website to locate a nursery in your area that sells native plants.

3) Develop a plan for incorporating native plants into your landscape.

Here's How:

It is OK to start small!
- Focus on transitioning small areas of your landscape to native species each year.
- Start from scratch by planting a small native plant garden in a corner of your lawn. You can expand out each year and many native plants will help you by spreading prolifically.
Make sure the species you select are well adapted to their planting sites. Note the following:
- Sun/shade tolerance
- Moisture requirements
- Soil pH and soil type requirements
Pay attention to how large plants will get at maturity and follow standard garden design principles when deciding where to put new plants.
- Put tall species at the back and smaller species up front.
- Think in three dimensions – in forested ecosystems you can have overstory trees, understory trees, shrubs and ground covers growing in the same area, but in different vertical strata.
- Plant odd-numbered grouping of plants in clumps and swaths to create aesthetically pleasing garden designs.
Aim to have species flowering at different times of the year to keep pollinators happy throughout the growing season.
- Seek out early and late season bloomers, as they are the least abundant in most landscapes. The Xerxes society has developed lists of pollinator friendly plants for different regions of the U.S, including the Mid-Atlantic.

Consider starting with seeds and planting a native meadow.
- Beware of the “wildflower meadow mixes” sold in many retail establishments. These mixes often include non-native seeds and are often dominated by annuals that will not persist.
Maintain a clean edge to help your native plant garden fit in to your landscape.
Learn from others. Visit this University of Maryland Extensions website to read about a case study of a Harford County resident replacing lawn with natives.

Spring

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