Native plants for Worcester County, Maryland
268 native plants recorded in Worcester County, Maryland
The USDA plant database has 301 plants recorded growing wild in Worcester County. 268 of them are native to the lower 48, and 7 are introduced species that this page leaves out.
By type: 115 wildflowers and herbs, 111 grasses and sedges, 9 shrubs, 9 low woody plants, 16 trees, 8 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 80 of them (30%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Narrowleaf cattail (Typha angustifolia), Common reed (Phragmites australis) and 1 more are also recorded as introduced.
What fits each kind of spot in Worcester County
| Spot | Rated to fit | Rated not to | Unrated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun all day | 80 | 0 | 188 |
| Half shade | 55 | 25 | 188 |
| Under trees | 25 | 55 | 188 |
| Heavy clay | 60 | 20 | 188 |
| Sandy, drains fast | 50 | 30 | 188 |
| Never watered | 24 | 56 | 188 |
| Stays soggy | 61 | 19 | 188 |
Sun all day in Worcester County: 80 rated natives
37 grasses and sedges, 18 wildflowers and herbs, 15 trees, 8 shrubs, 1 vines, 1 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- 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 - Pine barren goldenrod (Solidago fistulosa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6.6 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 - White doll's daisy (Boltonia asteroides) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 8 ft mature · rapid 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
Half shade in Worcester County: 55 rated natives
22 grasses and sedges, 15 wildflowers and herbs, 12 trees, 4 shrubs, 1 vines, 1 low woody plants. 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 - 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 - Beach plum (Prunus maritima) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 12 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - White doll's daisy (Boltonia asteroides) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 8 ft mature · rapid 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
Under trees in Worcester County: 25 rated natives
8 grasses and sedges, 6 wildflowers and herbs, 6 trees, 3 shrubs, 1 vines, 1 low woody plants. 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 - American cupscale (Sacciolepis striata) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Beaked spikerush (Eleocharis rostellata) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Bushy seaside tansy (Borrichia frutescens) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 2.6 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Catchfly grass (Leersia lenticularis) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 2.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Heavy clay in Worcester County: 60 rated natives
32 grasses and sedges, 12 wildflowers and herbs, 10 trees, 5 shrubs, 1 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- 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 - Pine barren goldenrod (Solidago fistulosa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Coppery St. Johnswort (Hypericum denticulatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · perennial - Beaked spikerush (Eleocharis rostellata) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Bushy seaside tansy (Borrichia frutescens) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 2.6 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Cat greenbrier (Smilax glauca) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Catchfly grass (Leersia lenticularis) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 2.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Sandy, drains fast in Worcester County: 50 rated natives
16 grasses and sedges, 14 trees, 12 wildflowers and herbs, 6 shrubs, 1 vines, 1 low woody plants. 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 - Pine barren goldenrod (Solidago fistulosa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6.6 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 - White doll's daisy (Boltonia asteroides) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 8 ft mature · rapid 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 - Coppery St. Johnswort (Hypericum denticulatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · perennial - Beach plum (Prunus maritima) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 12 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Never watered in Worcester County: 24 rated natives
7 wildflowers and herbs, 6 trees, 5 shrubs, 5 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 - 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 - 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 - Coppery St. Johnswort (Hypericum denticulatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · 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
Stays soggy in Worcester County: 61 rated natives
34 grasses and sedges, 14 wildflowers and herbs, 7 trees, 5 shrubs, 1 low woody plants. 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 - Pine barren goldenrod (Solidago fistulosa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6.6 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 - White doll's daisy (Boltonia asteroides) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Coppery St. Johnswort (Hypericum denticulatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · perennial - 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
Natives Worcester County has that most of Maryland does not
21 natives here are on file in no more than 1 of Maryland's 24 counties. A few of them:
- Hazel alder (Alnus serrulata): only here
- Bushy seaside tansy (Borrichia frutescens): only here
- Bighead rush (Juncus megacephalus): only here
- Catchfly grass (Leersia lenticularis): only here
- Mississippi buttercup (Ranunculus laxicaulis): only here
- Skunkbush sumac (Rhus trilobata): only here
- Saw greenbrier (Smilax bona-nox): only here
- Seaside amaranth (Amaranthus pumilus): only here
- Seaside threeawn (Aristida tuberculosa): only here
- Erect centella (Centella erecta): only here
Where to start in Worcester County
If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Worcester County gives you the most rated choice (80 plants), and Common goldstar (Hypoxis hirsuta) is the easiest start on that list. Never watered is the hard one here: 24 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 188 unrated natives too.