Native plants for Charles County, Maryland
211 native plants recorded in Charles County, Maryland
The USDA plant database has 238 plants recorded growing wild in Charles County. 211 of them are native to the lower 48, and 6 are introduced species that this page leaves out.
By type: 97 wildflowers and herbs, 85 grasses and sedges, 6 shrubs, 3 low woody plants, 10 trees, 10 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 71 of them (34%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Narrowleaf cattail (Typha angustifolia) and Switchcane (Arundinaria tecta) are also recorded as introduced.
What fits each kind of spot in Charles County
| Spot | Rated to fit | Rated not to | Unrated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun all day | 71 | 0 | 140 |
| Half shade | 40 | 31 | 140 |
| Under trees | 19 | 52 | 140 |
| Heavy clay | 54 | 17 | 140 |
| Sandy, drains fast | 33 | 38 | 140 |
| Never watered | 19 | 52 | 140 |
| Stays soggy | 51 | 20 | 140 |
Sun all day in Charles County: 71 rated natives
33 grasses and sedges, 21 wildflowers and herbs, 10 trees, 5 shrubs, 2 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American water-willow (Justicia americana) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Bristly buttercup (Ranunculus hispidus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Closed bottle gentian (Gentiana andrewsii) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Common goldstar (Hypoxis hirsuta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Gray goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Narrowleaf blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Seaside goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Half shade in Charles County: 40 rated natives
14 grasses and sedges, 13 wildflowers and herbs, 8 trees, 3 shrubs, 2 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Gray goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Seaside goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Closed bottle gentian (Gentiana andrewsii) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Common goldstar (Hypoxis hirsuta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Narrowleaf blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Wrinkleleaf goldenrod (Solidago rugosa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - American cupscale (Sacciolepis striata) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
Under trees in Charles County: 19 rated natives
7 wildflowers and herbs, 6 trees, 3 grasses and sedges, 2 shrubs, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Gray goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Seaside goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - American cupscale (Sacciolepis striata) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Manyflower flatsedge (Cyperus lancastriensis) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 3.1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Shortbristle horned beaksedge (Rhynchospora corniculata) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 6.6 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Roundleaf greenbrier (Smilax rotundifolia) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1 ft mature · perennial - Giant cane (Arundinaria gigantea) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · photo available · rapid growth · perennial
Heavy clay in Charles County: 54 rated natives
28 grasses and sedges, 15 wildflowers and herbs, 7 trees, 3 shrubs, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American water-willow (Justicia americana) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Bristly buttercup (Ranunculus hispidus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Common goldstar (Hypoxis hirsuta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Narrowleaf blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Cat greenbrier (Smilax glauca) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Coral greenbrier (Smilax walteri) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - New York fern (Thelypteris noveboracensis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Whiteroot rush (Juncus brachycarpus) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Sandy, drains fast in Charles County: 33 rated natives
11 wildflowers and herbs, 9 grasses and sedges, 7 trees, 4 shrubs, 2 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American water-willow (Justicia americana) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Gray goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Seaside goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Wrinkleleaf goldenrod (Solidago rugosa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Cat greenbrier (Smilax glauca) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Coral greenbrier (Smilax walteri) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Needleleaf rosette grass (Dichanthelium aciculare) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1.6 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Never watered in Charles County: 19 rated natives
7 wildflowers and herbs, 4 grasses and sedges, 4 trees, 3 shrubs, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Closed bottle gentian (Gentiana andrewsii) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Common goldstar (Hypoxis hirsuta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Gray goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Seaside goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Wrinkleleaf goldenrod (Solidago rugosa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Needleleaf rosette grass (Dichanthelium aciculare) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1.6 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - American cupscale (Sacciolepis striata) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Stays soggy in Charles County: 51 rated natives
30 grasses and sedges, 13 wildflowers and herbs, 4 trees, 3 shrubs, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American lotus (Nelumbo lutea) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - American water-willow (Justicia americana) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Nodding lady's tresses (Spiranthes cernua) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Common goldstar (Hypoxis hirsuta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - American spongeplant (Limnobium spongia) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Bristlystalked sedge (Carex leptalea) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Broom sedge (Carex scoparia) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
Natives Charles County has that most of Maryland does not
3 natives here are on file in no more than 1 of Maryland's 24 counties. A few of them:
- Virginia heartleaf (Hexastylis virginica): only here
- Scaly blazing star (Liatris squarrosa): only here
- Angularfruit milkvine (Matelea gonocarpos): only here
Where to start in Charles County
If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Charles County gives you the most rated choice (71 plants), and American water-willow (Justicia americana) is the easiest start on that list. Never watered is the hard one here: 19 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 140 unrated natives too.