Native Plants For Maryland Gardens

Native Plants Have Many Benefits

A native plants is a plant that originate in and is native to a geographical region. In other words, it naturally occurs in the area and can be found in nature.

Why Use Native Plants

Using native plants in the landscape makes sense for a whole host of reasons. Because they are native, they are used to our conditions.
Native plants are programmed to survive our winters and summer droughts.
Native plants are tolerant of local pests. This is not to say they will not sustain some damage, but far less than introduced plants. They do, however, run the risk of being damaged by pests that have been introduced to the area.
Native plants, once established need less on going care.
Native plants provide food and habitat to wildlife.

Selecting The Right Native Plants

There are a lot of native plants available on the market these days. Just like when selecting non-native plants for the garden, consider site conditions such as light exposure, soil moisture and soil quality. In this regard, native plants are no different than any other plant. They only thrive where the conditions are right for them.

Some Of Our favorite Native Plants For Maryland Gardens

Trees

Fringe Tree flowers — Fringe Tree – This native has slightly fragrant fringe-like white flowers. They literally dance in a breeze.

Amelancier canadensis next to a steel fence — Amelancier canadensis – Usually a multi-stem tree, it has something for all seasons. White flowers in spring, blue edible berries in summer, brilliant fall color.

American Dogwood flowers — American Dogwood – A true workhouse of the garden. Not only do we get to enjoy the white blooms in the spring, the red berries and maroon fall leaves make the American Dogwood a garden favorite.

Shrubs

Ilex verticillata plants — Ilex verticillata – A deciduous member of the Holly family known for its bright red berries in winter. Birds will thank you!

Ilex glabra bush — Ilex glabra – Another member of the Holly family with olive green foliage and light open form.

Physocarpis opulifolius shrub — Physocarpis opulifolius – Excellent shrub choice for year round interest. Five petaled flowers appear in dense, Spirea-like clusters in spring, giving way to a multitude of reddish berry clusters. its leaves turn yellow in the fall.

Perennials

Eutrochium maculatum bush — Eutrochium maculatum – if you want butterflies, plant this plant.

Packera aurea plant — Packera aurea – A robust groundcover where happy and an excellent cut flower. Self seeds and naturalizes.

Ferns

Osmundastrum cinnamomeum fern — Osmundastrum cinnamomeum – One of our favorite ferns. Very dependable.

Polystichum acrostichoides fern — Polystichum acrostichoides – Very easy to establish and grow where conditions are right. It requires cool, moist, well-drained soil in shade.

Dryopteris marginalis – With grayish-green leathery fronds, a great addition to any woodland garden.

Request an Estimate

Allentuck Landscaping Co. is Your Residential Landscape Company

Phone: 301-515-1900 Email: info@allentucklandscaping.com

At Allentuck Landscaping Company, our mission is to create beautiful environments for people to enjoy. We see landscaping as a way to improve people’s lives.

The Allentuck Landscaping Company team has been a leading landscape company in Montgomery County, Maryland for over 28 years with our turnkey approach to landscape design, installation, construction and maintenance. Most companies try to serve many types of customers at the same time; homeowners, shopping centers, office buildings and the list goes on. At Allentuck Landscaping Co., we focus on one customer, you, the homeowner. We have a singular focus on bringing you the best landscape practices, the best customer service, and the best value for your home.

Services Provide – Master Landscape Plans, Complete Maintenance Programs, Plantings, Patios, Walkways, Retaining Walls, Water Features, Outdoor Lighting, Outdoor Kitchens, Trellises & Pergolas, Irrigation Systems, Drainage Solutions, Grading & Sodding. Fire Pits & Fire Places, Spring Clean Ups, Decks, Fences, Mosquito & Tick Control, Deer Control.

Areas Served – Chevy Chase, Bethesda, Potomac, Rockville, North Potomac, Darnestown, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Damascus, Boyds, Clarksburg, Ijamsville, Urbana, Frederick in Maryland and Washington DC.

How to Navigate HOA Rules & Permits for Landscape Projects

Allentuck Landscaping November 21, 2025

Nothing kills the excitement of a new backyard project faster than a letter from your HOA telling you to “please resubmit.” Or worse—“stop work immediately.” That’s why understanding HOA Rules & Permits for Landscape Projects isn’t optional. It’s the guardrail that keeps your dream patio, fire pit, or front-yard makeover from turning into an expensive do-over.Good news though: once you understand how the process works, you’ll move through it quicker, cleaner, and with far fewer surprises. Start With Your HOA’s

The Best Privacy Trees for Homeowners: Green Giant Arborvitae vs. Leyland Cypress vs. Cryptomeria

Allentuck Landscaping November 11, 2025

Backyard privacy shouldn’t be complicated. Homeowners just want a fast-growing, good-looking screen that blocks noise, hides neighboring windows, and makes a yard feel like a retreat. The best privacy trees can do all of that, and more. But not every evergreen behaves the same way. Some shoot up like rockets. Others handle cold better. Some stay dense year-round with almost no babysitting. Choosing the right one matters, or you’ll be staring at gaps, browning branches, or a tree that simply

Allentuck Landscaping Co. Honored by CaringMatters

Allentuck Landscaping November 5, 2025

This past Saturday night was one of those moments that makes you stop, look around, and think, “Wow… this is why we do what we do.” At the CaringMatters Silver Lining Gala, Allentuck Landscaping Co. was honored with the Corporate Partnership Award—a recognition that means a lot more than a plaque and a photo on stage. CaringMatters supports families through serious illness, caregiving, and grief. They provide comfort when life is at its hardest. Being connected to that kind of

Top 5 November Gardening Tips: Keep Your Landscape Thriving

Allentuck Landscaping November 2, 2025

As November settles in, the garden enters a period of winding down. But there’s still plenty to do to help your plants survive the coming winter and thrive come spring. Here are five essential November gardening tips to keep your landscape healthy, vibrant, and ready for the cold season ahead. 1. Protect Perennials and Tender Plants For many gardeners, the risk of frost is looming, and November is the time to take protective measures: Mulch Perennials: Apply a layer of

Your Custom Patio Planning Checklist: Everything to Consider Before You Build In Potomac, MD, Bethesda, MD, Chevy Chase, MD and Surrounding Areas

Allentuck Landscaping October 29, 2025

There’s nothing quite like stepping onto your own patio for the first time. The smell of fresh stone, the way the space instantly feels like an outdoor living room — it’s where lazy Saturday mornings and long summer nights collide. But before that first step comes a much less glamorous (and far more important) one: planning. A patio isn’t something you wing. It’s something you design to fit your life. This custom patio planning checklist will walk you through the

Why Leaves Change: The Science Behind Fall Leaf Color

Allentuck Landscaping October 27, 2025

Every autumn, as the air turns crisp and the morning light softens, we catch ourselves staring at the trees. There’s something magical about the way green leaves shift into brilliant oranges, reds, and golds. In landscaping terms? That gorgeous transition is all about fall leaf color — and yes, there’s real science behind it. The Green Stage: What’s Behind the Summer Leaves During spring and summer, your trees’ leaves are hard at work. They’re tiny factories, using the green pigment