Native plants for St. Mary's County, Maryland
136 native plants recorded in St. Mary's County, Maryland
The USDA plant database has 161 plants recorded growing wild in St. Mary's County. 136 of them are native to the lower 48, and 6 are introduced species that this page leaves out.
By type: 59 wildflowers and herbs, 57 grasses and sedges, 3 shrubs, 4 low woody plants, 5 trees, 8 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 44 of them (32%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Narrowleaf cattail (Typha angustifolia) and Common reed (Phragmites australis) are also recorded as introduced.
What fits each kind of spot in St. Mary's County
| Spot | Rated to fit | Rated not to | Unrated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun all day | 44 | 0 | 92 |
| Half shade | 30 | 14 | 92 |
| Under trees | 13 | 31 | 92 |
| Heavy clay | 33 | 11 | 92 |
| Sandy, drains fast | 24 | 20 | 92 |
| Never watered | 13 | 31 | 92 |
| Stays soggy | 31 | 13 | 92 |
Sun all day in St. Mary's County: 44 rated natives
22 grasses and sedges, 13 wildflowers and herbs, 5 trees, 3 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 - 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 - Wreath goldenrod (Solidago caesia) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate 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 - Beach plum (Prunus maritima) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 12 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Common ladyfern (Athyrium filix-femina) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Half shade in St. Mary's County: 30 rated natives
12 grasses and sedges, 10 wildflowers and herbs, 4 trees, 3 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 · 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 - 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 - Wreath goldenrod (Solidago caesia) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Beach plum (Prunus maritima) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 12 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Wrinkleleaf goldenrod (Solidago rugosa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Oval-leaf sedge (Carex cephalophora) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 2.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Under trees in St. Mary's County: 13 rated natives
5 wildflowers and herbs, 3 shrubs, 3 trees, 1 vines, 1 grasses and sedges. 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 - Beach plum (Prunus maritima) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 12 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Roundleaf greenbrier (Smilax rotundifolia) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1 ft mature · perennial - Shortbeard plumegrass (Saccharum brevibarbe) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · about 6.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) trees
USDA growing data on file · photo available · rapid growth · perennial - Shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata) trees
USDA growing data on file · photo available · rapid growth · perennial
Heavy clay in St. Mary's County: 33 rated natives
19 grasses and sedges, 8 wildflowers and herbs, 5 trees, 1 shrubs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- 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 - Wreath goldenrod (Solidago caesia) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate 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 - Shallow sedge (Carex lurida) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Upright sedge (Carex stricta) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 4.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Fox sedge (Carex vulpinoidea) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Fringed sedge (Carex crinita) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 5.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Sandy, drains fast in St. Mary's County: 24 rated natives
9 wildflowers and herbs, 7 grasses and sedges, 5 trees, 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 - Wrinkleleaf goldenrod (Solidago rugosa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Beach plum (Prunus maritima) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 12 ft mature · moderate 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 - Northern maidenhair (Adiantum pedatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Oval-leaf sedge (Carex cephalophora) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 2.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Never watered in St. Mary's County: 13 rated natives
4 wildflowers and herbs, 4 trees, 2 shrubs, 2 grasses and sedges, 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 - Gray goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Beach plum (Prunus maritima) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 12 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought 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 - Wrinkleleaf goldenrod (Solidago rugosa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.3 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 - Oval-leaf sedge (Carex cephalophora) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 2.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Roundleaf greenbrier (Smilax rotundifolia) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1 ft mature · perennial
Stays soggy in St. Mary's County: 31 rated natives
21 grasses and sedges, 6 wildflowers and herbs, 2 shrubs, 2 trees. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- 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 - Beach plum (Prunus maritima) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 12 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - 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 - Cattail sedge (Carex typhina) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Greater bladder sedge (Carex intumescens) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - New York fern (Thelypteris noveboracensis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
Natives St. Mary's 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:
- Tapertip flatsedge (Cyperus acuminatus): only here
- Sharpscale sedge (Carex oxylepis): only here
- Narrowleaf goosefoot (Chenopodium leptophyllum): only here
Where to start in St. Mary's County
If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where St. Mary's County gives you the most rated choice (44 plants), and Gray goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) is the easiest start on that list. Never watered is the hard one here: 13 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 92 unrated natives too.